Massage Therapy 1

Massage Therapy: An Important Field in Healthcare

Evan Griffin

College Communications - 1000, Section 2

Fred Larsen

October 22, 2009

Massage Therapy: An Important Field in Health Care

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Therapeutic massage is defined as the manipulation of soft tissues for the purpose of

enhancing the function of those tissues as well as increasing the health of those tissues

(Holisticonline, n.d., para. 1). This is a very limited description of massage therapy that does not

reveal its true potential as a form of healthcare. Most people think of massage therapy as a form

of escaping the stresses of daily life. What those people don’t realize is that massage therapy has

more than just the benefit of relaxation; it has the ability to improve the quality of recovery for

patients suffering from cancer, premature babies, diabetics, recovering drug addicts, and patients

suffering from HIV/AIDS .

Massage therapy has been proven to help cancer patients with their recovery process after

receiving different treatments. It can help with pain management, sleep deprivation, increasing

mobility, and reducing common swelling and inflammation of the limbs, referred to as

lyphedema (Canadian Cancer Society, 2007, para. 2).

The National Institutes of Health performed a research study which consisted of 380

adults suffering from advanced stages of cancer. A selected group from the 380 adults received

six sessions of thirty minute massages (Eldridge, 2008, para. 1). These adults showed

improvements in both physical and psychological aspects of their recovery. The physical aspects

included decreased inflammation and swelling, improved circulation, and a decrease in muscle

spasms and pain. Their immune systems were also shown to increase the production of disease

fighting cells known as Killer-T cells. Mentally, the patients were feeling more relaxed which

resulted in more sleep. This increased level of relaxation helped with the flow of the chemical

called endorphins which were able to keep the patients happier and allowed them to forget about

the pain and fear caused by the disease (Eldridge, 2008, para. 2). These benefits, unfortunately,

do not last very long, increasing the need for regular massage sessions with cancer patients. As a
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result, many cancer centers now offer massage therapy as a regular form of treatment (Eldridge,

2008, para. 3).

Massage has also been known to help premature babies. These babies, who are usually

victims of alcohol or drug addicted mothers, tend to exhibit poor coordination and motor skills as

well as difficulty gaining weight. A research study was performed on thirty cocaine-exposed

premature babies by the paediatric department of the University Miami School of Medicine.

Fifteen of these babies received three fifteen minute massages over the course of three hours for

ten days straight. Throughout this treatment the researchers monitored the weight gain,

coordination and motor responses of the fifteen preemies who received massage treatments

against the fifteen preemies who did not receive massage treatments (Internet Health Library,

2006, para. 2).

At the end of the ten day study period the babies who received massages averaged

27% greater weight gain per day even though both the dietary volume and calorific

intakes were the same in both groups. The babies in the massage group also showed

significantly fewer post-natal complications and stress behaviours than the control group,

and they also demonstrated more mature motor skills (Internet Health Library, 2006,

para. 3).

This study along with many other studies which have similar results, have proven that

massage therapy plays an integral part in the recovery and growth of premature babies.

Massage therapy is also known as a form of treatment for diabetics. “Diabetes is a disease

of impaired carbohydrate metabolism that results from inadequate production or utilization of the

hormone insulin. This vital substance is necessary to convert food into energy by facilitating the

transfer of glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells” (Rose, 2001, para. 1). This
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condition can eventually lead to extremely dangerous conditions in the eyes, kidneys, heart,

blood vessels, and nervous system.

Diabetics suffer from increased blood sugars which can thicken their connective tissues.

Regular massage therapy sessions can increase the movement and elasticity of these tissues

(Rose, 2001, para. 12). Massage therapy can not only help connective tissues but it also increases

circulation, which aids in the transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, as a result,

the ability of their cells to take in insulin will be significantly improved (Rose, 2001, para. 13).

Furthermore, diabetics tend to suffer from depression due to the limitations in their lives. The

production of endorphins through massage therapy helps to increase positive feelings and

decrease thoughts of depression (Rose, 2001, para. 14).

Furthermore, when studying the recovery of drug addicts, the Touch Research Institute in

Miami has found that massage therapy aids in the ability of these addicts to overcome their

problems (Alternative Medicine, 2009, para. 1).

Stress, whether internal or external in origin, is a major obstacle to the recovery

process. Stress can cause feelings of anxiety and lead to a sense of being overwhelmed.

This compels the individual to seek an escape, which often results in the downward spiral

of addiction. Massage has a definitive impact on the amelioration of cravings, depression,

stress, agitation and pain (Alternative Medicine, 2009, para. 2).

The main factors associated with stress are the release of cortisol, a hormone, and

dopamine, a neurotransmitter. When an individual uses drugs to forget about their stresses,

higher levels of dopamine are released into their system but their body is not able to reabsorb

them. Cortisol levels are also increased resulting in higher levels of stress. A balance of these

chemicals is important to the successful recovery of addicts. The Touch Research Institute has
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proven that experiencing regular massage treatments helps the body to properly produce and

absorb the neurotransmitter dopamine, thus, maintaining a balanced level of chemicals.

Furthermore, the body produces endorphins which overpowers the levels of cortisol in the

system (Alternative Medicine, 2009, para. 3 & 4).

Finally, “over the course of addiction treatment and recovery, it is not unusual for the

patients to feel a division between mind and body. Massage can help to reunite the mind, body

and spirit, helping those recovering from addiction feel whole again” (Alternative Medicine,

2009, para. 8). The balanced release and absorption of hormones, as well as spirituality are some

of the different benefits that massage treatments have on recovering addicts.

The Touch Research Institute performed many other massage therapy research studies,

one particular study being the effects of massage therapy on HIV- positive patients. The first

study they did was on twenty-nine HIV-positive men who received regular massage treatments.

This study showed improvements in their immune system functions. The number of natural

Killer-T cells produced in the body had increased significantly. Not only that but these cells were

seen to be highly active in the immune systems of these particular men (A Healing Touch, 1999,

para. 3). These health benefits are very similar to that of cancer patients who have received

massage therapy treatments.

Another interesting benefit of massage treatments for HIV-positive patients is hidden

within the massage oils. Aromatherapy is a type of massage that incorporates scented oils and

plant extracts to help create a relaxed atmosphere for the patients (Bodywork and Massage, 2008,

para. 1).

One oil which has been valuable to people suffering from HIV/AIDS is Tea Tree.

This has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal action. As the HIV
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virus depletes the immune system, bacterial and fungal opportunistic diseases develop in

the individuals...Tea Tree is an effective method of controlling the disease (Bodywork

and Massage, 2008, para. 1).

Massage therapy also exhibits psychological benefits for HIV-positive patients. People

with this disease are often considered to be ‘untouchable’ in the eyes of society. This can

severely affect the self-esteem of these people. Much like the other illnesses discussed in this

essay, massage treatments produce the hormone known as endorphins, which help these patients

to feel happier in their situations (Bodywork and Massage, 2008, para. 2).

Although these diseases are not the only ones whose victims can be benefited by massage

therapy treatments, the studies that have been discussed can help people to fully understand the

importance of massage therapy in the health care industry. Not only is massage therapy relaxing

for the average person, it also helps improve the recovery of people suffering from cancer,

premature births, drug addictions, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, to name a few.

References

A Healing Touch. (1999). A healing touch: Massage therapy and hiv-aids. Retrieved October 2,

2009, from http://www.thebody.com/content/art1954.html#

Alternative Medicine. (2009). Alternative medicine: Massage therapy helps addicted people

produce good chemicals, expel bad. Retrieved October 5,2009, from

http://www.healthtips2u.com/healthmedicine/massage-therapy-helps-addicted-

produce-good-chemicals-expel-bad
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Bodywork and Massage. (n.d.). Bodywork and massage: Treatment of hiv-aids. Retrieved

October 3, 2009, from http://www.lifepositive.com/body/body-holistic/aids/treatment-

of-aids.asp

Canadian Cancer Society. (2007). Massage therapy and cancer. Retrieved October 4, 2009 from

http://www.cancer.ca/saskatchewan/about%20us/media%20centre/sk- media

%20releases/massage%20therapy%20and%20cancer.aspx?sc_lang=en

Eldridge, L. (2008). Massage therapy helps cancer pain. Retrieved October 3, 2009, from

http://lungcancer.about.com/b/2008/09/25/massage-therapy-helps-cancer-pain.htm

Holistic Online. (n.d.). Holistic online: Massage therapy. Retrieved October 5, 2009, from

http://www.holisticonline.com/Massage/mas_home.htm

Internet Health Library. (2006). Women’s health: Premature births. Retrieved October 2, 2009,

from http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/WomensHealth/Premature-Births.htm

Rose, M.K. (2001). Diabetes: Massage as an adjunct treatment. Retrieved October 2, 2009, from

http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/96/Diabetes