massage
therapies, and QiGong and Tai Chi.Massage News Update - April 2009
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Dear Bodyworkers,
Most research is dealing with pain, and less
attention on pleasant touch. In a new study, the authors suggest that pleasant
touch is mediated by a dedicated type of peripheral nerve called the C-fibers.
The optimum condition for stimulating this type of nerve is when stroking at a
rate of 3-4 cm per second. This has an implication, that if you want your client
to feel good, then your massage stroke should be slow, around 4 cm per second.
Read more about it in our article below.
We got great news. the long-awaited Myoskeletal DVD by Erik Dalton is now
available. Erik has prepared a 6 DVD set for treating lower back, hip & leg
pain. This is is the most extensive and expensive produced series in the
bodywork industry. So don't miss it. The DVDs are coming their way now from US,
and will be ready to ship around next week. You can order now and get a discount
introductory price. This special price is only until end of this month.
http://www.terrarosa.com.au/dvd/mat/mat2.htm
We got new collections in our oriental bodywork collection, Zen Shiatsu, TuiNa, TaiChi and more.
Check also upcoming events by ATMS, AMT, AAMT and also Lomi Lomi workshop.
This newsletter is our attempt to bring you what's happening in the latest research and news on massage related issues. We sell massage videos and books so the advert is at the end of this page. Archive of our past news can be found at http://www.massage-research.com/blog/ You can search for and comment on articles. We don't just sell DVDs, we provide you with the latest information. Happy reading and stay healthy… from us at www.terrarosa.com.au
In this issue we have news on research on
Neural coding for massage stroke,
Alternative Therapy for People with Cardiovascular Disease,
Psychophysiological effects of massage-myofascial release after exercise
Compression on trigger points in the leg muscle increases parasympathetic nervous activity
Massage Therapy Can Decrease Pain
Facial massage reduced anxiety
Also Inside this issue:
Neural Coding of Massage stroke
Researchers have found that some nerves in the skin send 'feel good' signals to the brain when activated by gentle, slow massage stroke.
But they only work when the skin is stroked at just the right speed, 1-10 cm per second with an optimal rate around 4 centimetres per second. Rub too fast or too slow, and the nerves are not stimulated.
Researchers demonstrated the effect of C-fibres on volunteers using a 'robotic tactile stimulator' – a mechanical arm fitted with soft brush. Sensually caressed by the robot, the volunteers produced C-fibre signals that could be recorded.
Professor Francis McGlone, one of the scientists from the Unilever company's Port Sunlight laboratories in Wirral, Cheshire, said: "If you get a piece of grit in your eye, have a toothache, or bite your tongue, it hurts so much because there are more C fibres there. The research we have been doing is building evidence for another role of C fibres in the skin that are not pain receptors, but are pleasure receptors."
He said the findings appear to explain "the pleasant… aspects of touch we are all familiar with, such as when grooming or being cuddled".
The nerves are found in skin covered by hair but are absent in the palms of the hands. "We believe this could be Mother Nature's way of ensuring that mixed messages are not sent to the brain when it is in use as a functional tool," said Professor McGlone.
The authors wrote:
"Pleasant touch sensations may begin with neural coding in the periphery by specific afferents. We found that during soft brush stroking, low-threshold unmyelinated mechanoreceptors (C-tactile), but not myelinated afferents, responded most vigorously at intermediate brushing velocities (1-10 cm per second), which were perceived by subjects as being the most pleasant. Our results indicate that C-tactile afferents constitute a privileged peripheral pathway for pleasant tactile stimulation that is likely to signal affiliative social body contact."
"These results are, to the best of our knowledge, the first demonstration of a relationship between positive hedonic sensation and coding the level of the peripheral afferent nerve, suggesting that C-tactile fibres contribute critically to pleasant touch."
Read about C fibre from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_fiber
Reference: Line S Löken, Johan Wessberg, India Morrison, Francis McGlone & Håkan Olausson. Coding of pleasant touch by unmyelinated afferents in humans. Nature Neuroscience Published online: 12 April 2009 | doi:10.1038/nn.2312.http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nn.2312.html
Alternative Therapy for People with Cardiovascular Disease
A review of Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Preventing and Treating Cardiovascular Disease was recently published in Disease-a-month journal. The following is a summary on the use of Aromatherapy, Yoga & QiGong.
Aromatherapy is defined as the inhalation of an aroma to cause a therapeutic effect. Pleasant aromas have been shown to influence blood pressure, heart rate, and coagulability, while providing a relaxation effect. However, some aromas may worsen disease states, such as migraine, allergy, and asthma. At this juncture there is no strong support for the use of aromatherapy to treat cardiovascular disease; however, eliminating malodors while using positive aromas can decrease and relieve depression and anxiety, and by this mechanism, be beneficial to patients with cardiovascular disease.
Yoga, in Sanskrit, literally “to make whole,” is a vitalistic approach to health combining several mind-body exercises. Increasingly popular and widely taught in several formats, yoga has a demonstrated history of improving health.Yoga calls upon a variety of techniques including meditation, relaxation, stretching, and control of breathing to achieve a state of relaxation and fitness. Yoga is a mainstay of Ayurvedic medicine, which is the ancient (before 2500 B.C.) Indian holistic health care approach focusing on yoga, diet, and medicinal plants.
Stress reduction by use of yoga has been shown to produce a significant decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.The majority of patients studied were able to significantly reduce their doses of antihypertensive medications. Yoga stress management techniques were an essential part of the Lifestyle Heart Trial in which Ornish et al. were able to demonstrate some reversal of heart disease and the control of angina. In a separate study, yoga was compared to usual care including risk factor control and the American Heart Association step one diet. The yoga group showed improvement in anginal control, exercise capacity, body weight, and serum lipids, as well as a significant reduction in the need for revascularization procedures including coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty. In this randomized prospective study, yoga was shown to both improve symptomatic status as well as retard progression of atherosclerosis independent of other interventions. A single site, parallel, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial is ongoing to assess the safety and efficacy of 12 weeks of structured Iyengar yoga versus enhanced usual care in adults with stage I hypertension.
While yoga cannot be recommended as a primary treatment for patients with hypertension and/or heart disease at this time, its use as an adjunct in such patients can be safely recommended. Adjustment of postures may be required for certain patients. Pregnant women should avoid certain postural yogic techniques. Also, those with a history of psychosis should refrain from yoga.
Yoga is flexible and its techniques can be custom tailored to individual needs. It can be self-taught, although it is best learned with supervision in class situations. Yoga is a safe and inexpensive method for promoting general health and emotional well-being.
By coordinating body movement with breathing, both heart rate and blood pressure are reduced. The exercise intensity of Tai Chi is low to moderate, depending on the training style, posture, and duration. Research substantiates that Tai Chi enhances aerobic capacity, muscular strength, endothelial function, and psychological well-being. In one study of patients post MI, Tai Chi achieved better long-term blood pressure control than aerobic exercise.In a randomized controlled study comparing Tai Chi to sedentary controls, the Tai Chi group exhibited significant improvement in blood pressure and lipid control. A 12-week training course of Tai Chi resulted in a 15.6 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure and a 15.2 mg/dL drop in total cholesterol with a concomitant 4.7 mg/dL increase in HDL cholesterol. In one study, a 12-month Tai Chi Chuan training program significantly improves aerobic capacity and CAD risk factors in patients with dyslipidemia. In a literature review, Tai Chi was concluded to be both beneficial and cost-effective when used as an adjunct to cardiac rehabilitation exercise training. In patients following coronary bypass surgery, a group using Tai Chi achieved not only better treatment adherence, but a significant improvement in VO2 peak compared to patients involved in a recommended home exercise program. In a study by Yeh et al., Tai Chi benefited a group of heart failure patients with low ejection fractions. The low impact activities were easy for heart failure patients to perform and resulted in improvement in 6-minute walking distance and quality of life. B-type natriuretic peptide levels also fell significantly with Tai Chi compared to a control group.
QiGong is a 5000-year-old energy healing system
from China that uses deep breathing, meditation, and various body movements to
capture and focus the vital life force (Qi) to promote natural healing. The
proper flow of Qi along energy channels (meridians) is vital for a person’s
health and vitality. Within the body, Qi and blood are closely linked to the
path of blood flow. The manipulation and readjustment of Qi is the basic
principle of acupuncture, herbal remedies,
massage
therapies, and QiGong and Tai Chi.
QiGong has been used to treat various cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation and CAD. In addition, QiGong has been shown to improve psychologic measures in addition to causing a reduction in systolic blood pressure. Some studies have suggested a shorter hospital stays after MI, and a reduced mortality rate with stroke.
Psychophysiological effects of massage-myofascial release after exercise
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of massage on neuromuscular recruitment, mood state, and mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) after high-intensity exercise.
The study was a prospective randomized clinical trial using between-groups design. The study was conducted at a university-based sports medicine clinic with 62 healthy active students age 18-26 participatants. Participants were randomized into two groups, performed three 30-second Wingate tests and immediately received whole-body massage-myofascial induction or placebo (sham ultrasound/magnetotherapy) treatment. The duration (40 minutes), position, and therapist were the same for both treatments.
Main outcome measures: Dependent variables were surface electromyography (sEMG) of quadriceps, profile of mood states (POMS) and mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) of trapezius and masseter muscles. These data were assessed at baseline and after exercise and recovery periods.
The results showed significant differences were found in effects of treatment on sEMG of Vastus Medialis (VM) and vigor subscale. After the recovery period, there was a significant decrease in electromyographic (EMG) activity of VM in the myofascial-release group versus a nonsignificant increase in the placebo group, and a decrease in vigor in the massage group versus no change in the placebo group.
Conclusions: Massage reduces EMG amplitude and vigor when applied as a passive recovery technique after a high-intensity exercise protocol. Massage may induce a transient loss of muscle strength or a change in the muscle fiber tension-length relationship, influenced by alterations of muscle function and a psychological state of relaxation.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 14 (10), pp. 1223-1229.
Compression on trigger points in the leg muscle increases parasympathetic nervous activity
A type of massage therapy, pressure stimulus applied over trigger points (TPs), is reported to have excellent therapeutic effects.
Its effect is possibly mediated through changes in the autonomic nervous system although little research has been conducted to assess autonomic activity during TP compression.
A study investigated how compression applied over TPs affects the autonomic nervous system. Six healthy young adult females whose daily working routine was carried out predominantly in a standing position. After a day’s work, the subjects were asked to rest supine, and electrocardiograms (ECGs), instantaneous lung volume (ILV) and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP) were measured before and after pressure application over the TPs in those lower limb muscles where the subjects felt muscle fatigue or discomfort. The subjects were also asked to coordinate breathing with the beeping sounds.
The therapeutic effects of TP compression were assessed by a subjective fatigue scale. Parasympathetic nervous activity was also assessed by spectral analysis of heart rate (HR) variability.
The results indicated that TP compression:
(1) decreased Heart Rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
(2) increased parasympathetic activity,
(3) increased the gain from instantaneous lung volume to Heart Rate, and
(4) improved the fatigue scores.
These findings suggest that an increase in parasympathetic nervous activity after the TP compression induced a reduction of fatigue.
Journal of Physiological Sciences, pp. 1-7
Massage Therapy Can Decrease Pain
For those who experience lingering pain following exercise, a relaxing deep massage can help relieve musculoskeletal pain associated with exercise-induced pain, according to research reported in The Journal of Pain.
Researchers at the University of Iowa performed a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial to study the effects of massage on pressure-pain thresholds and perceived pain using delayed muscle soreness following exercise as the pain measurement. Trial participants were divided into three groups: no-treatment (control), superficial touch and deep tissue massage. Pain was assessed before treatment, after exercise and before and after treatment.
Massage has been used for rehabilitation and relaxation for thousands of years with no adverse effects. Unfortunately, few well-controlled trials of massage exist either in clinical or experimentally induced pain populations. The purpose for the study, therefore, was to determine the effects of massage using an endogenous muscle-pain model in otherwise healthy individuals.
The authors found that subjects given deep-tissue massage were able to increase their pain thresholds and decrease stretch pain compared with the no-treatment group. When combining the deep-tissue massage and light-touch groups, they found that stretch-pain reductions remained significantly better than in the control group although the light-touch treatment was not significantly better than no treatment.
The authors concluded that their study demonstrates that soft-tissue massage can reduce hyperalgesia and pain using a delayed onset muscle soreness model. The findings support use of massage to reduce stretch-pain perception and hyperalgesia.
Source: Massage Reduces Pain Perception and Hyperalgesia in Experimental Muscle Pain: A randomized, Controlled Trial; Laura A. Frey Law, Stephanie Evans, Jill Knudson, Steven Nus, Kerri Scholl and Kathleen Sluka; University of Iowa, Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.
Facial massage reduced anxiety
A 45-minute facial massage reduced anxiety and alleviated negative mood in healthy adult women, according to recent research. The study published as “The facial massage reduced anxiety and negative mood status, and increased sympathetic nervous activity,” involved 32 healthy Japanese women, ranging in age from 20 to 40.
Each woman received the same type of facial massage in a private room. During each of these sessions, the face was first massaged using a cream-based lubricant. This was followed by a steam treatment, after which the face was massaged a second time using a lotion designed to moisturize the skin.
Outcome measures were evaluated immediately before and after each facial massage. These measures included electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings to evaluate intervals between heart beats, as well as parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous activity. The Profile of Mood Status was used to determine the current mood state of each subject, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure participants’ anxiety levels.
Results of the research revealed that parasympathetic nervous activity increased during the massage, and sympathetic nervous activity increased after the facial massage. Parasympathetic nervous activity is responsible for rest and recovery, resulting in a relaxed physical state. The study also showed that both anxiety and negative mood decreased significantly after the hands-on intervention, based on the scores from the Profile of Mood Status and State Trait Anxiety Inventory.
Based on this data, the authors theorized facial massage may bring about not only relaxation benefits, but it also may have a stimulating effect, or refreshment.
“These results suggest that the facial massage had strong effects on stress alleviation, or psychological relaxation,” said the study’s authors. “The increased sympathetic nervous activity following the facial massage … might be a positive reaction to a stressor, which is classified as eustress. Such a mixed status of psychologically relaxed and physically-activated might well be regarded as refreshment rather than relaxation. In conclusion, the present study could demonstrate that facial massage reduces psychological distress and activates subjects physically.”
Tomoko Hatayama, Shingo Kitamura, Chihiro Tamura, Mayumi Nagano and Koichiro Ohnuki. Biomedical Research (2008) 29 (6): 317-320.
AAMT
National Conference 22-24 May 2009, Hobart
http://www.aamt.com.au/docs/
ATMS National Conference & Exhibition 13-14 June 2009, Sydney Olympic Park http://www.atms.com.au/seminars/2009%20ATMS%20Conference%20Brochure%20final.pdf We will have a stand there, give us a visit.
AMT National Conference, 24-25 October 2009, Novotel Brighton Le Sands, Sydney.
Lomi Lomi Workshop with Carrie Rowell 24-27
September 2009, North Curl Curl, Sydney
AAMT approved for 20 CPE points. http://www.terrarosa.com.au/articles/lomi.htm
Myoskeletal Alignment for the Lower Back, Hip & Leg Pain
We are proud to bring you the new 6 volume DVD set by Erik Dalton. This six volume 'Spinal Engine' DVD series based on ground breaking research developed by Dr. Serge Gracovetsky. His discovery that the spine is the engine driving the legs has dramatically altered the view of body movement and opened exciting new clinical avenues for assessing and treating chronic pain syndromes. The 6 DVD set includes: 1. Myoskeletal Mechanic 2. Fixing Kinetic Kinks 3. Bone & Belly Work 4. Sacroiliac Syndromes 5. Toning the Core & Pelvic Floor 6. Unlocking Lumbars. Special introductory only this month.
Errol Dexter Lynch presents a step by step video on how to do and improve your Tui Na massage. Filmed in China and England, with never seen before footage and many treatment demonstrations. This DVD Student to Master has been 6 years in the making, taking you through the process from student to master. Includes: Practical massage demonstrations, Fundamental hand techniques for tuina, sports massage, and sports injuries, Related therapies (cupping, heat lamps and traction), An insight into Chinese culture and uses of tuina in Chinese hospitals, Interviews and testimonials
This DVD provides a lecture on the recent scientific discoveries of fascia. Get informed with the latest scientific exploration of fascia and its manipulation. Rather than being a mere passive packing organ, it has become increasingly clear that the fascia plays an important role in myofascial force generation, in tissue stiffness regulation, in pain generation and in proprioception. Robert Schleip an international expert on fascial research as well as a highly experienced bodyworker presents this lecture in a DVD format.
Get creative, a series of face painting DVD will lighten your work. Animal, Masquerade, Halloween Classics, Horror, Holidays & Seasons. Each DVD shows how to paint eight different full-face designs.
This program discusses the history of Wudang Taijiquan, offers a Warm Up section, and teaches the essential skill of Zhan-Zhuang, or standing meditation, which develops the Qi (energy) throughout your body. The complete 108-posture Wudang Taijiquan sequence is demonstrated, and each posture is instructed separately with martial applications. Each technique is taught and demonstrated in detail, making it easy for the viewer to learn. The ancient art of Wudang Taijiquan has much wisdom to offer beginners and experienced Tai Chi practitioners of all styles.
Reflexology : Feet, Ears & Hands
Whether you are a beginner or experienced massage therapist, you can become more knowledgeable and confident about the nerve-rich areas of the feet, ears and hands. Rhonda Funes has been practicing and teaching reflexology for more than 15 years. In this DVD set, she demonstrates basic and advanced reflexology techniques that anyone can use. Her mission is simple – to help you achieve maximum results from correct and easily applied reflexology techniques.
Fascial Manipulation - Practical Part by Luigi Stecco & Carla Stecco
Welcome to an exciting new field in musculoskeletal therapy: the fascinating world of fascia. This manual provides practical techniques to facilitate the treatment of the fascia. It describes the topographical location of all the points, the respective movement tests and the modality of treatment for each point. In order to manipulate the fascia it is essential to know the exact location of the points, to perform the movement examinations correctly and to position the patient appropriately for each treatment. This new book just recently published is specially imported from Italy.
A Practical Guide to Acu-points
An understanding of acu-points is vital not only for acupuncturists but also for bodyworkers. This user-friendly manual contains current, comprehensive information for both groups, with special emphasis on how shiatsu and tuina therapists can best utilize “point knowledge” in their practice. Renowned experts Chris Jarmey and Ilaira Bouratinos use succinct text, a well-organized framework, and detailed color anatomical illustrations to clarify the complexities of acu-points. http://www.terrarosa.com.au/book/acu-points.htm
This is a unique and original text which combines the Chinese philosophy, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and acupressure with Reflexology. The text is the first in the world to state a consistent perspective of the Anatomical Reflection Theory as reflected in the feet, as well as explaining in detail the aspects of the Chinese philosophy. An easy, user-friendly approach "The information in Moss" book pour out as if he were talking to you"; yet at the same time thought-provoking and profound. It is a text for reflexologists, natural therapists, and all interested in health, harmony, and well-being. Also available in DVD.
An Introductory Guide to Reflexology
Provides a concisely explained and thoroughly illustrated introduction to a complex subject. Includes a free CD-ROM with full reflexology video routine. It is an essential textbook for all students of this fascinating therapy.The book covers: * Study and revision are facilitated with an annotated fold-out foot chart, * Detailed illustrations and clearly stated learning objectives. * The history and development of Reflexology * The theory and concept of Reflexology Techniques and applications * How to treat specific conditions * A full photographic sequence of the Reflexology routine * How to carry out professional consultation
Concise book of Muscles, Revised edition
The Concise Book of Muscles shows students exactly how to locate and identify specific muscles, highlighting those that are heavily used and therefore subject to injury in a variety of sports and activities. This expanded edition of a leading anatomy reference book includes 20 muscles not previously covered, adding greater depth to the original edition while remaining accessible and affordable.
The famous Anatomy Trains is now available in a brand new second edition, includes numerous updates including important new findings in recent fascial research, photos of the Anatomy Trains myofascial meridians dissected, new appendices on Structural Integration protocols based on the Anatomy Trains concept, and a comparison of the myofascial meridians with the meridians of acupuncture. The entire book is now in full color, including all new artwork. The new edition also benefits from new web links and includes an interactive DVD-ROM with animations of the Anatomy Trains lines, fascial release techniques, and dissection videos.
Modalities for Bodywork and Massage
Gain a better understanding of the top modalities in massage practice with expert insight and a balanced, user-friendly approach! This current, consistently organized resource distills a wealth of information on 21 popular massage modalities into easy-to-read overviews detailing the essential principles behind each therapy. Leading experts lend years of valuable knowledge and experience across a wide spectrum of massage modalities including triggr points, neuromuscular therapy, prenatal, myofascial release, shiatsu, craniosacral, reflexology, and more. A companion DVD demonstrates proper techniques for 7 top modalities with over 100 minutes of detailed video footage.