Massage Therapy

EVANSTON, Ill., Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on the evidence, massage therapy shows promise for reducing pain intensity/severity, fatigue, and anxiety in cancer populations compared to the active comparators evaluated in a new systematic review.  This is the conclusion of a collaborative meta-analysis of research on massage therapy for pain conducted by Samueli Institute and commissioned by the Massage Therapy Foundation, with support from the American Massage Therapy Association.  This review and analysis is published in the August issue of the journal Pain Medicine. The study concludes that patients should consider massage therapy as a therapeutic option to help manage their cancer pain. Pain is the most common and debilitating symptom among cancer patients. While the exact prevalence of [...]

Lower back pain and neck pain can have many potential causes. Pain in these areas can be anything from an occasional ache to a debilitating and constant discomfort that affects a person’s work and home life. These two areas are prone to tension accumulation due to how a person walks, sits, and even sleeps. Acute lower back pain, described as pain that has lasted less than six weeks in duration, may resolve itself with little or no intervention. However, lower back pain that is sub-acute or chronic, lasting longer than six weeks in duration, is likely to require attention and care. There are several forms of massage that are particularly effective for lower back pain. Anyone considering massage for lower [...]

The summer running season is officially underway, and many runners are seeking ways to care for their battered bodies. Massage therapy can help heal a runner's body and is more than just an hour of indulgence. The running season is now in full stride. Individuals who participate in 5ks, 10ks and everything from marathons to triathlons, are out in droves pushing their personal goals and muscles to the limit. As runners train in advance of their competitions, many tactics are utilized to take proper care of their bodies. Both in preparation and in recovery, massage therapy has become an integral part of a competitive runner’s ability to stay on the top of his or her game, according to StrengthRunners.com. One [...]

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When your muscles ache, whether because it is the day after a tough workout or because you experience some chronic orthopedic pain, it can be difficult to accomplish your daily tasks. When all you can focus on is the desire for pain relief, finding a method for managing that pain that works for you is critical. While some muscle and joint ailments may eventually require the aid of an orthopedic surgeon, there are also some other methods you may wish to consider first. Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing, one of these approaches could work for you. 1) Heat therapy. According to Healthline, the use of heat is one of the most efficient ways to combat chronic [...]

Most people still view massages as a luxury item. They feel like they are spoiling themselves by booking a massage whether it’s a 30-minute massage, one-hour massage or a four-hour spa day. But some business leaders are starting to look at massage more as a necessity just like working out and eating healthy. Study after study keeps touting the benefits of massage. As a result, many executives are changing their mindset from thinking of massage as a nice treat to thinking of massage as an essential item in their routine that helps them perform at the top of their game. Here are five reasons why you should stop making excuses and book that massage today. 1. Massage can help spark [...]

Recent research into the negative health consequences of sitting all day has fueled the popularity of sit-stand desks, which allow employees to alternate between sitting and standing—and which might provide new challenges to massage therapists. If office workers spend more time standing, will those aches and pains become a thing of the past? Not likely, said massage therapist Caylon Ellis, owner of Caylon Ellis Therapeutics in Carlsbad, California. The idea that standing is a good way to counter the effects of sitting so much “is a fallacy in logic,” Ellis said. “I don’t think that is sound logic, to assume that the opposite of something that’s bad is good. It depends on a lot of factors.” Highly Personalized One such [...]

Written by Lilliane Caron Generally when people think of the word 'massage' they associate it with 'luxury', 'indulgence' and 'pampering'. It's seen as a treat, and something people may allow themselves once or twice a year. The notion that massage is 'just an indulgence' is not true. The benefits of massage are endless and something very few people are aware of. Massage can help with balancing emotions, anxiety, circulatory issues, joint and muscle pain, insomnia and much more. It is important that we share the benefits of massage with our clients and teach them that massage should be much more than a little 'treat' every now and then. Regular massages help to establish and maintain good health and wellness. From a [...]

By Karen Menehan September 16, 2015 Not that long ago, a forearm made sore by too much computer mousing was the extent of technology-related injuries a person might experience. But the widespread use of an increasing variety of technology—pads, laptops, smartphones—has detonated a cache of related conditions, from tight necks and sore backs to painful thumbs and increased stress. Oh, and those sore arms caused by too much mousing? They’re still around as well. “Anyone who has spent much time on a computer, cellphone, tablet or other advanced electronic device has surely experienced the discomfort of poor body mechanics and repetitive straining,” manual therapy specialist Rick Bates, L.M.T., B.C.T.M.B., C.F.T., told MASSAGE Magazine. “These problems are not limited to the [...]

Here is a quick guide to some of the most popular types of massage therapy offered at Sha Zen Massage. Swedish Massage Therapy This is the most common type of massage therapy in the United States. It is also known as Swedish massage or simply massage therapy. Massage therapists use long smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil. Swedish massage therapy can be very gentle and relaxing. If you've never had massage before, this is a good one to try first. Hot Stone Massage Heated, smooth stones are placed on certain points on the body to warm and loosen tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. The massage therapist [...]