doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.01.007Massage News Update - May 2009
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Dear Bodyworkers,
In this issue, we got some interesting articles: Can massage increase life expectancy? A study examined is the effect of massage the same regardless of the proficiency or experience of the practitioner? Trigger Points may be a contributing factor in the initiation of chronic headaches. Ankle pain maybe related to tendon injuries, and the prevalence to rotator cuff tears is related to heredity. Read those great stories below.
We got another 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. We also got a couple of new DVDs on yoga by Real Bodywork,
they are really good.
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
Massage Therapy & Life Expectancy
Practitioners’ proficiency and the effectiveness of massage therapy
Myofascial pain syndrome as a contributing factor in patients with chronic
headaches
Chronic ankle pain may be more than just a sprain
Massage therapy very helpful for back pain
Rotator cuff tears: Are they all in the family?
Also Inside this issue:
Massage Therapy & Life Expectancy
A statistical analysis performed by Medical Massage Care indicates that therapeutic massage tends to increase life expectancy. Using the data from 50 states in the US, the author found a positive correlation between the number of massage therapists per 1,000 residents of a state and the life expectancy for that state. As the number of massage therapists per resident increases, the life expectancy tends to increase. A model suggested that with an increase in one therapist per 1000 residents, the life expectancy increases 1.7 years.
Hawaii is the state with the greatest number of massage therapists per resident and is the state with the greatest life expectancy as well. Utah and Colorado also place in the top ten in both categories. The states with the lowest concentrations of massage therapists tend to have the lowest life expectancies. Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama all place in the bottom ten for both number of massage therapists and life expectancy.
Certainly encouraging, although drawing a long bow, the author suggests that the higher number of massage therapists meaning more people are getting into massage, and it improves life quality, thus life expectancy!
Practitioners’ proficiency and the effectiveness of massage therapy
An examination was made of how differences in the proficiency of massage practitioners had different physical and psychological effects on clients. The authors tried to answer the question: Can massage therapy always have the same effect on clients, regardless of the proficiency or experience of the practitioner?
The study was conducted in Ibaraki, Japan. Eight healthy 50-year-old females, suffering from chronic neck and shoulder stiffness, were recruited and four interventions were conducted: three 40-minute massage therapy interventions, one each by a freshman and a sophomore student studying massage therapy, and one by their instructor, and one rest on the massage table. Visual analogue scale score for muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulder, state anxiety score, and salivary cortisol concentration levels and secretory immunoglobulin A, were measured pre- and post- interventions.
The results showed that the visual analogue scale of neck and shoulder stiffness after massage by the instructor was significantly lower than that after the other interventions, and the score of state anxiety was lower than that after resting.
In conclusion, this study has verified that massage therapy practiced by a competent experienced practitioner can greatly alleviate subjective symptoms of muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulders and state anxiety, and lower salivary cortisol as an index of psychological stress. It is thought that the differences in effectiveness between an experienced practitioner and unskilled student depend on the proficiency of the practitioner, which has been cultivated by experience. The results presented here strongly suggest that practical and clinical training should be an integral part of massage therapy education.
Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapy
doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.01.007
Myofascial pain syndrome as a contributing factor in patients with chronic
headaches
A study evaluated the prevalence of active and latent trigger points [TrPs], as well as analyze the prevalence of different types of headaches in chronic headache patients.
290 subjects participated in this study. Trigger points were identified according to Simons et al.’s diagnostic criteria. Trigger points were considered active if subjects recognized the evoked referred pain as their familiar headache. If the evoked referred pain was not recognized as the familiar headache, the TrPs were considered latent. Differential diagnosis for headache was performed on the basis of International Headache Society criteria.
The authors found that trigger points could be diagnosed in 77 percent of patients and, in 89 percent of these, active TrPs were found. Muscle tenderness could be observed in 22 percent of patients, and only 1 percent patients were muscle-pain-free. The headache diagnosis showed that 26 percent had tension-type headache, 13 percent had migraine, and 61 percent had combined episodes of tension-type headache and migraine. The highest number of TrPs were found in temporalis, masseter, and occiptofrontalis muscles. Active TrPs were more frequent in temporalis and occiptofrontalis muscles.
The authors concluded that subjects with chronic headaches had a higher prevalence of TrPs, and headache complaints could be reproduced during stimulation of active TrPs that were localized more frequently in temporalis and occiptofrontalis muscles. The presence of TrPs may be a contributing factor in the initiation and/or perpetuation of chronic headaches.
Reference: Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain 17 (1), pp. 15-25
Chronic ankle pain may be
more than just a sprain
Ankle sprains are a common injury after a fall, sudden twist or blow to the
ankle joint. Approximately 40 percent of those who suffer an ankle sprain will
experience chronic ankle pain, even after being treated for their initial
injury.
A review article published in the May 2009 issue of the Journal of the American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) explains that tendon injuries to the
ankle can be a possible cause for this chronic pain. In some cases, the
condition is untreated or overlooked which prolongs the pain and the problem.
"When patients injure their ankles, the injury may not seem serious at first,"
explains Terrence Philbin, DO, lead author of the article and Fellowship
Director of the Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center in Columbus, Ohio. "People may
not seek medical attention and they can think it will just get better on its
own. I think that is why this condition often goes undiagnosed."
The authors of the article describe how in some cases chronic ankle pain may
actually be the result of injuries to the peroneal tendons. The peroneal tendons
are located behind the outside portion of the anklebone (called the fibula). The
tendons help to stabilize the foot and ankle. Tendon injuries can include
tendonitis or swelling around the tendons. In more severe cases, the peroneal
tendons can actually tear or there can be a swelling of the tendons behind the
fibula bone. This can cause the ligament that holds the tendons together to
stretch out and tear, or even rupture.
Symptoms associated with peroneal tendon injuries can include:
* Ankle pain that is not responding to treatment
* Swelling and tenderness around the outside of the ankle
* Pain behind the anklebone
* Pain that transmits from the ankle down into the foot
Massage therapy very helpful for back pain
The Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center in USA surveyed more than 14,000 subscribers who had lower-back pain in the past year but had never had back surgery. The report that appeared in May 2009 Consumer Reports Magazine. The publication noted that about 80 percent of U.S. adults have at some point been bothered by back pain … More than half [of respondents] said pain severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred through the year. Many said the pain interfered with sleep, sex, and efforts to maintain a healthy weight.
The article went on to explain that most respondents turn to hands-on therapies, include massage, physical therapy and chiropractic, to address back pain. Most of the respondents tried five or six different treatments. They rated the helpfulness of the treatments tried and their satisfaction with the health-care professionals visited.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents rated chiropractic as “very helpful” in easing back pain, while 48 percent said massage therapy was very helpful, and 46 percent said the same of physical therapy.
Rotator
cuff tears: Are they all in the family?
New study finds that family history data supports heredity's role in shoulder
tendon tears
People with relatives who have experienced rotator cuff tears are at increased
risk of similar tendon tears themselves, according to a study published in the
May 2009 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). "This strongly
suggests genetic predisposition as a possible cause for rotator cuff disease,"
said Robert Z. Tashjian, MD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery,
University of Utah School of Medicine Orthopaedic Center in Salt Lake City.
By using the Utah Population Database combined with the University of Utah
Health Sciences Data Warehouse numbers, researchers found an increased risk for
these tears in family members of patients with rotator cuff tears. The risk
extends out and beyond third-cousin relationships (Third cousins are the
great-great-grandchildren of one's great-great-grandparents.)
"While we have not determined the exact genetic component," said Dr. Tashjian,
"our family history data supports that heredity plays a role in the development
of rotator cuff tearing."
This problem usually affects people in their 50s and 60s. It is believed to have
both mechanical and environmental influences; however, scientists unclear as to
exactly why it occurs, have several theories including:
* Decreased blood flow leading to tendon dysfunction and tearing
* Bumping (impingement) of the rotator cuff on the undersurface of the shoulder
cap (acromion) when moving the arm. This may lead to a slow development of tears
due to repetitive micro-trauma over time
* Age-related degeneration
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. We will be there, give us a visit.
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 price only this month.
Yoga Flow: Saraswati River Tradition
Another great Yoga DVD from Real Bodywork. Explore the power and fluidity of yoga with this inspiring practice. This DVD features 8 yoga routines, ranging from 24 minutes to 75 minutes, each with a varying degree of difficulty. Unite breath and movement as Zyrka leads you through the sequences with her clear and soothing guidance. This intermediate practice introduces both dynamic flowing yoga sequences, plus the option to explore more traditional yoga practices such as yogic breathing (pranayama), using toning during practice (surya yoga), and guided meditation (yoga nidra).
Yoga Therapy for Back Pain includes 13 routines to help restore proper function to the entire back. These safe and gentle exercises increase mobility and reduce pain. This beautifully filmed DVD features five 15 minute & five 30 minute routines for the upper back, sciatic pain, bulging disk and sacro-iliac joint pain. Each condition is addressed separately, so you will get the proper care for your condition. Whatever the level of your pain, or if you just want to strengthen your back, this DVD has the safe and appropriate therapy for you!
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
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.
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.
Muscle &
Bone Palpation Manual
with Trigger Points, Referral
Patterns, and Stretching
By Joe Muscolino. With more than
1,000 vibrant, full-color illustrations and 2 DVDs with over 4 hours of detailed video
demonstrations, This is the most visually
engaging way to help you master and successfully apply palpation techniques in
massage therapy. This innovative text uses unique, richly detailed photographic
illustrations of muscles as they appear under the skin to give you a thorough
understanding of effective palpation. This comprehensive guide provides
unparalleled preparation for professional success.
The new Anatomy Trains is now back in stock, 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.
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.
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
The Concise Book of Trigger Points, 2nd Edition
This fabulous practical manual now in a new edition, explains how to treat chronic pain through trigger points — those tender, painful nodules that form in muscle fibers and connective tissues. Organized by muscle groups, the book emphasizes hands-on techniques for bringing immediate relief by stimulating the flow of oxygen to the trigger point. Each two-page spread features detailed colour illustrations on one side and straightforward text on the other identifying each muscle's origin, insertion, action, and function. In addition, the author discusses the physiological implications of the trigger points in each muscle, and techniques for treatment.
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 trigger 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.