Sep
5
2023
Frankincense may help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis, according to a study of 70 patients.
An enriched extract of the “Indian Frankincense” herb Boswellia serrata was used in the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Patients who took the herbal remedy showed significant improvement in as little as seven days. The compound caused no major adverse effects and is safe for human consumption and long-term use, according to the study authors.
The findings were published in the July 29 edition of Arthritis Research & Therapy.
The extract used in the study was enriched with 30 percent AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), which is believed to be the most active ingredient in the B. serrata plant.
“AKBA has anti-inflammatory properties, and we have shown that B. serrata enriched with AKBA can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee,” study leader Siba Raychaudhuri, a faculty member of the University of California, Davis, said.
“The high incidence of adverse effects associated with currently available medications has created great interest in the search for an effective and safe alternative treatment,” Raychaudhuri said.
B. serrata has been used for thousands of years in traditional Indian medicine. This is the first study to examine the effect of an enriched extract of the plant.
Sep
5
2023
The use of complementary methods (CMs) is widespread and increasing in the United States. Most literature on CM use among cancer survivors focuses on the treatment period, whereas only a few studies address use further along the cancer continuum.
This study analyzed the prevalence and the medical and demographic associations of CM use among cancer survivors surveyed 10 to 24 months after diagnosis. The study’s sample-4139 survivors of 1 of 10 adult cancers-was selected from stratified random samples provided by statewide cancer registries and surveyed by mail and telephone. Three logistic regression models examined associations between medical and demographic factors and CM use among survivors of sex-specific and non-sex-specific cancers.
The results showed that of the 19 CMs included in the survey, the CMs most frequently reported were: prayer/spiritual practice (61.4%), relaxation (44.3%), faith/spiritual healing (42.4%), nutritional supplements/vitamins (40.1%), meditation (15%), religious counseling (11.3%), massage (11.2%), and support groups (9.7%).
Among these 19 CMs, the least prevalent were hypnosis (0.4%), biofeedback therapy (1.0%), and acupuncture/acupressure (1.2%). Survivors more likely to use CMs were female, younger, white, higher income, and more educated.
Gansler T, Kaw C, Crammer C, Smith T. A population-based study of prevalence of complementary methods use by cancer survivors: a report from the American Cancer Society’s studies of cancer survivors. Cancer. 2008 Aug 4.
Sep
5
2023
Pediatric oncology nurses can help maximize patient outcomes by assessing, advocating, and coordinating massage therapy services as a supportive care intervention.
This is the conclusion of a recent literature review that assess the integrating massage as a supportive care intervention for children with cancer.
According to the data synthesis’ authors, from the Division of Pediatric Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York,
The authors reviewed more than 70 citations, using PubMed®, online references, published government reports, and the bibliographies of retrieved articles, reviews and books on massage and massage and cancer.
The authors found that Massage therapy may help mitigate pain, anxiety, depression, constipation, and high blood pressure and may be beneficial during periods of profound immune suppression. Massage techniques light to medium in pressure are appropriate in the pediatric oncology setting.
The authors concluded that Massage is an applicable, noninvasive, therapeutic modality that can be integrated safely as an adjunct intervention for managing side effects and psychological conditions associated with anticancer treatment in children. Massage may support immune function during periods of immunosuppression.
Reference:
Hughes D, Ladas E, Rooney D, Kelly K. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2008 May;35(3):431-42.
Sep
5
2023
Nurses can successfully use massage to reduce short-term pain and anxiety in patients with chronic, non-malignant pain, according to UK nursing research.
In a study of 101 patients with moderate-to-severe pain, those who received a 15-minute head, neck and shoulder massage from a nurse reported significantly less pain and anxiety than those in a control group – both immediately after and one hour post-treatment.
‘Nurses are well placed to be trained in and to deliver massage. It could be a useful addition to techniques offered to patients as part of their care,’ said the authors from the RCN Research Institute at Warwick University.
For more info:
A randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a single session of nurse administered massage for short term relief of chronic non-malignant pain. Kate Seers, Nicola Crichton, June Martin, Katrina Coulson, Dawn Carroll. BMC Nursing 2008, 7:10 (4 July 2008)
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6955/7/10/abstract
Source:
http://www.nursingtimes.net/Clinical_journal_round_up/2008/07/nurse_massage_cuts_chronic_pain.html
Sep
5
2023
This article is a great advert for massage therapy. It is taken from: http://www.naturalnews.com/023391.html
A Review of Recent Research Touting the Benefits of Therapeutic Massage by: Cindie Leonard, MA
The myriad health benefits of massage therapy are being validated by a number of fascinating scientific research studies. In the past, massage has been associated largely with exclusive, exotic, luxury spas and upscale health clubs. With more affordable opportunities — along with increasing support from the medical community, massage therapy is gaining in popularity.
Exciting and proven benefits of massage begin with the very young. In one study, preterm infants gained 47% more weight, were discharged six days earlier (at a hospital cost savings of $10,000 per infant), and become more socially responsive. If the 470,000 preemies born in the U.S. each year were to receive this simple, soothing, and natural treatment, that would translate to annual savings of 4.7 billion dollars.
Preschool children who receive massage right before bedtime fall asleep sooner and stay asleep longer. In another study, preschoolers were given tests before and after receiving a 15 minute massage or spending 15 minutes reading stories with an experimenter. Performance and accuracy improvement were greater for the massage group.
Massage has also been shown to help troubled adolescents. In an interesting study, depressed, hospitalized, adolescents were divided into two groups. One group received 30-minute back massages daily for five days. Another group watched relaxing videotapes. The massaged subjects were less depressed and anxious and had lower cortisol (a stress hormone) levels after the massage. In another study, seventeen aggressive adolescents were randomly assigned to a massage therapy group or a relaxation therapy group. Each group received massage or relaxation therapy for twenty minutes, twice a week, for five weeks. The results demonstrated that the massaged adolescents had lower anxiety and reported feeling less hostile. The parents of the participants perceived their children as being less aggressive after the massage therapy. Significant differences were not found for the teenagers in the relaxation group.
Anorexia nervosa is extremely difficult to treat. Massage therapy is showing great promise with this population. In a study with women diagnosed with anorexia, the results demonstrated that after receiving a massage twice a week for five weeks, the patients reported lower stress and anxiety levels. These women also had lower cortisol levels and increased dopamine and norepinephrine (the “feel good” hormones) after the treatments. A promising result of the treatment was that they reported decreased body dissatisfaction on the Eating Disorders Inventory.
In a study exploring the role of massage therapy for treating migraine headaches, researchers designed a randomized study comparing two groups of subjects. One group received massage therapy for 13 weeks, the other did not. The subjects from both groups were asked to maintain a daily log recording their perceived stress levels and coping efficacy. They were also asked to keep a daily journal of their perceived levels of stress and sleep. Levels of anxiety, heart rate, and cortisol levels were assessed. Compared with the control group, the massage participants showed decreased heart rates less anxious moods, along with lower cortisol levels. The highlight of this study was that the massage group experienced fewer migraines during the study period.
Studies demonstrating the success of massage therapy in treating stress number over one thousand. Currently there are a vast array of theories as to why massage therapy is so successful in managing stress. One can read through extensive scientific studies focusing on measuring neurochemicals and reactions in the SNS (sympathetic nervous system) and the PNS (peripheral nervous system) in order to solve the mystery as to why massage is so effective on various stress disorders. Yet, a simple explanation might be that stress increases muscle tension, massage decreases muscle tension. When a muscle is tensed, circulation is reduced, blocking the absorption of oxygen and nutrients. Massage, on the other hand, loosens up the muscles, increasing circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients back to the area of tension. Massage may also release stored toxins, which might explain the sense of wellbeing after a massage.
In a recent study in New Zealand involving nurses working in emergency departments, aromatherapy massages with music dramatically reduced stress levels amongst the study participants.
The researchers of this study found that sixty percent of the nursing staff in their experiment reported that they suffer from moderate to extreme anxiety due to their work. The percentage of nurses reporting anxiety dropped to just eight percent after aromatherapy massage treatments. The massages were provided by a licensed massage therapist who sprayed an aromatherapy mist above the heads of the participants. The participants were able to choose the scent. The essential oils were rose, lavender, lime, ocean breeze, or a combination of lavender, ylang ylang, bergamot and patchouli.
A reduction of anxiety from sixty to eight percent is statistically significant. This study demonstrates that massage therapy is a powerful tool with tremendous potential. Introducing such healing therapies in the workplace would be a valuable tool for employers for treating, managing and possibly preventing stress disorders.
Other recent studies have shown that massage therapy can help with pain management (including labor), aiding children with diabetes, sports-related soreness, alcohol withdrawal, immune function, and cancer treatment.
Who knows? Maybe someday, a trip to the spa may be just what your doctor orders.
References:
Blackwell Publishing Ltd. (2007, September 24). Aromatherapy Massages With Music
Diego, M.A., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Shaw, J.A., Rothe, E.M., Castellanos, D. & Mesner, L. (2002) Aggressive adolescents benefit from massage therapy. Adolescence, 37, 597-607.
Field, T., Morrow, C., Valdeon, C., Larson, S., Kuhn, C. & Schanberg, S. (1992) Massage reduces anxiety in child and adolescent psychiatric patients. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 31, 125-131.
Field, T., Schanberg, S.M., Scafidi, F., Bauer, C. R., Vega-Lahr, Nl, Gracia, Rl, Nystrom, J., & Kuhn, C.M.. (1986). Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates. Pediatrics, 77, 654-658.
Hart, S. Field, T. & Hernandez-Reif, Ml, Nearing, G., Shaw, S., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2001). Anorexia nervosa symptoms are reduced by massage therapy. Eating Disorders, 9, 289-299.
Lawler S., Cameron, L.D. “A randomized controlled trail of massage therapy as a treatment for migraine.” Annual Behavioral Medicine. 2006. 32(1):50-59.
Selye, H. The Stress of Life. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1976.
Sep
5
2023
Research into the causes and treatment of repetitive strain injury is urgently needed for the millions of sufferers worldwide, say experts.
Decades after RSI was first reported, evidence is still lacking to guide diagnosis and care, The Lancet reports.
Unless clear definitions and evidence of effective treatments are found, RSI will remain controversial, says Dutch author Professor Maurits van Tulder.
RSI is an umbrella term for disorders that stem from repetitive movements.
Disabling
Several countries report statistics showing that RSI affects 5% to 10% of the population.
For some occupations, such as dressmakers and secretaries, this goes up to 40%.
According to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, almost 450,000 UK workers have upper limb RSI.
And between 2003 and 2004, about 4.7m work days were lost to RSI, as workers took an average 18 days sick leave.
Many cases of RSI involve painful hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and neck, and are associated with modern desk work involving computer equipment such as keyboards and mice.
In some populations that we’ve studied, between 22% and 40% of people have evidence of RSI
Professor Peter Buckle, University of Surrey
While there are theories as to how these conditions develop, none are supported by strong scientific evidence, and diagnosis is difficult.
Some experts have suggested that the continuous contraction of muscles from repetitive movements can result in disrupted local blood circulation, or that pain sensors in the muscles could become over-sensitive.
Doctors are also struggling when it comes to appropriate treatments – although several studies have shown exercise to be beneficial for symptom relief.
Treatments such as massage or the use of ergonomic keyboards are often recommended, but researchers trying to verify that they worked found they did not reduce sick leave in people who used them.
‘Disappointing’
Professor van Tulder, who looked at the available evidence on RSI to date, explained: “No gold standard tests for RSI exist. Strong recommendations for any therapeutic intervention cannot be made at present.
“The disorder will remain controversial until high-quality trials provide clear definitions of repetitive strain injury and evidence of effective treatments.”
A British expert, Professor Peter Buckle from the University of Surrey, said that there was an urgent need for more research.
He said: “Given the prevalence in the working population, it’s disappointing we have such a paucity of high quality evidence about diagnosis and treatment.”
Many organisations were blind to the fact that they had massive problems with RSI,” he added.
He advised: “Often when people are finally diagnosed with RSI their condition is often much worse, so it is important that people not only try to prevent it happening in the first place, but also consult a doctor as early as possible.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6692683.stm
Sep
5
2023
Often, a gentle hand on your shoulder when you’re upset is all it takes to ease your mind and calm your nerves. Now, UC researchers are looking at a similar occurrence by pairing a complementary therapy known as Healing Touch with mild sedation to see if the technique truly calms patients undergoing minor procedures.
Healing Touch is a series of techniques that balance energy for wholeness within a person’s body, mind and soul. It is an energy therapy that can be used in conjunction with other traditional medical treatments.
Nathan Schmulewitz, MD, the lead author of this investigator-initiated study and assistant professor of digestive diseases, says people undergoing procedures often have problems falling asleep because of anxiety.
Schmulewitz specializes in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), a technique for imaging and accessing deep structures in the chest and abdomen which are near the GI tract. EUS is used as a screening tool for cancer or other suspicious polyps.
He says if a patient is unable to fall asleep with intravenous sedation, it might be necessary to use stronger anesthesia which is expensive and not often covered by insurance companies.
“In addition, stronger sedation can prolong recovery for the patient and can cause slight amnesia following the procedure,” Schmulewitz says.
This study is looking at whether coupling Healing Touch with mild sedation prior to an EUS procedure can help relax patients, avoiding problems with anesthesia and making the procedure run more smoothly.
Judy Bowers, a nurse at University Hospital, Healing Touch practitioner and co-author of the study, has been doing this therapy for about seven years and has administered it to over 40 patients involved in this study.
“By restoring balance within the energy system, you create an optimal environment for healing,” Bowers says. “This is complementary medicine, not alternative medicine, so it can be easily incorporated in a medical model.”
Although there are many healing touch therapies, this study is only looking at three: the Chakra Connection, which facilitates movement of energy from one energy center to another, Magnetic Clearing, which clears the field of congested energy, and Mind Clearing, which involves a light touch on the face, head and neck.
As part of the study, a third party calls the patient two days after the procedure to ask a number of questions about how Healing Touch affected the patient during the EUS and recovery.
The results are being analyzed, but Bowers says she’s observed some fairly positive responses.
“Some of the patients are asleep before they even receive the intravenous sedation,” she says, noting that she stays with patients throughout the procedure in order to continue sharing her energy with them and maintaining the balance.
Schmulewitz says if the results are positive, this could be an inexpensive, effective way to reduce costs and improve care at University Hospital.
“It will be a fairly easy way to enhance patient care with acceptable and specific means and without increased risk of injury,” he says.
Sep
5
2023
Taiwan set a World Record recently by arranging for 1008 people to have a foot massage simultaneously. The event was organized by the Taiwan tourism bureau and four Taiwan reflexology associations.
The years 2008 and 2009 had been designated as the “Tour Taiwan Years.” The Tourism Bureau has been planning a wide variety of exciting events and popular tourist attractions to draw more international visitors to Taiwan, and one of its new ideas is health care tourism.
Tourists who volunteered for the event came from various countries, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong etc. The tourists lied back on reclining chairs at the Taipei Area stadium for 40 minutes of foot massage, or reflexology treatment, given by 1,008 masseurs.
Foot massage is popular in Taiwan. In large cities in Taiwan, there are many foot massage parlours which charge 500 Taiwan dollars (15 US dollars) for 50 minutes of foot massage, which can relieve fatigue and has therapeutic effects for certain illnesses.
The previous world record stood at 200 reflexologists with the same number of tourists.
http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/mass/most_people_having_foot_massage-world_record_set_by_Taiwan_80290.htm
Sep
5
2023
Smokers suffer more chronic back pain. This was the result of the analysis of a questionnaire performed by Monique Zimmermann-Stenzel and her colleagues and published in the Deutsches Ärzteblatt International
In 2003, the Robert Koch Institute interviewed more than 8000 private persons in the course of a telephone health survey in Germany. This included questions on social and demographic themes, as well as health and life style. On the basis of the collected data, the authors examined whether there was an association between smoking and chronic back pain.
Their evaluation showed that smokers or former smokers suffer chronic back pain much more often than do non-smokers. The number of years the subjects had been smoking or had smoked was decisive. Subjects who had consumed tobacco for more than 16 years had a two-fold greater probability of suffering chronic back pain than subjects who had smoked for less than 10 years. The probability of back pain was further multiplied for subjects who had smoked for longer than 26 years. On the other hand, the frequency with which the subjects consumed tobacco and the quantities smoked did not play a role.
However, the authors pointed out that tobacco consumption does not necessarily cause chronic back pain. It is just as possible that people with chronic back pain smoke to alleviate the pain. The exact association between smoking and back pain will have to be clarified in appropriate studies. These could offer additional possibilities to prevent chronic back pain or smoking motivated by this.
(Dtsch Arztebl Int, 2008; 105[24]: 441-8) http://www.aerzteblatt.de/v4/archiv/pdf.asp?id=60552
Sep
5
2023
A study was conducted to assess the impact of a Swedish massage intervention on oncology patients’ perceived level of distress. Each patient’s distress level was measured using 4 distinct dimensions: pain, physical discomfort, emotional discomfort, and fatigue. A total of 251 oncology patients volunteered to participate in this nonrandomized single-group pre- and post design study for over a 3-year period at a university hospital setting in southeastern Georgia.
The analysis found a statistically significant reduction in patient-reported distress for all 4 measures: pain, physical discomfort, emotional discomfort, and fatigue. This reduction in patient distress was observed regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or cancer type. These results lend support for the inclusion of a complementary massage therapy program for hospitalized oncology patients as a means of enhancing their course of treatment.
Reference:
Currin, Jennifer LMSW, OSW-C; Meister, Edward Anton PhD. A Hospital-based Intervention Using Massage to Reduce Distress Among Oncology Patients. Cancer Nursing. 31(3):214-221, May/June 2008.
