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Massage > Massage Facts
Massage has been around for thousands of years and it's impossible
to fully appreciate the full value of massage and effects that touch has on each
and every one of us.
Below is a list of some of the research about massage and additional comments
about the conclusions. The following research articles can be found at the
Touch
Research Institute where you can learn more about ongoing massage research.
Aromatherapy Massage
Adults exposed to rosemary showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power,
suggesting increased alertness. They also had lower anxiety levels and performed
math computations faster. Adults exposed to lavender showed increased beta
power, suggesting increased relaxation. They performed math computations not
only faster but also with fewer errors and had less depressed mood.
Diego, M.A., Jones, N.A., Field, T., & Hernandez-Reif, M. (1998).
Aromatherapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG patterns associated
with positive mood and alertness.
International Journal of Neuroscience, 96, 217-224.
Massage for Anorexia
Massage therapy reduced anxiety, depressed mood and salivary cortisol (stress
hormone) levels and body dissatisfaction and increased dopamine levels.
Hart, S., Field, T. Hernandez-Reif, M., Nearing, G., Shaw, S.,
Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2001). Anorexia symptoms are reduced by
massage therapy. Eating Disorders, 9, 289-299.
Massage for
Adolescents
Adolescents with ADHD rated themselves as happier and were observed to fidget
less after massage sessions. Also, teachers rated adolescents receiving massage
as less hyperactive and as spending more time on-task. Children with ADHD showed
more on-task behavior in the classroom and were rated as less hyperactive by
their teachers following one month of twice weekly massages.
Field, T., Quintino, O. & Hernandez-Reif, M., & Koslovsky, G.
(1998). Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
benefit from massage therapy. Adolescence, 33, 103-108.
Khilnani, S., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., and Shanberg, S.
(2004). Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students
with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, Adolescence, 152,
623-638.
Massage for
Back Pain
Massage lessened lower back pain, depression and anxiety, and improved sleep.
The massage therapy group also showed improved range of motion and their
serotonin and dopamine levels were higher.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, T. (2001)
Low back pain is reduced and range of motion increased after
massage therapy.
International Journal of Neuroscience, 106, 131-145.
Massage for
Breast Cancer
Massage therapy reduced anxiety and depression and improved immune function
including increased natural killer cell number.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Ironsor, G., Field, T., Hurley, J., Katz, G.,
Diego, M., Weiss, S., Fletcher, MA., Shanberg, S and Kuhn, C.
(2003) Breast cancer patients have improve immune and
neuroendocrine function following massage therapy.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57,45-52.
Breast cancer
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