August 2004 [Volume 3, Issue 8]
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In this issue of To Your Health:
Parents: Say "No" to Teen Tanning
Despite numerous warnings over the years about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, a recent study published in the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine notes that indoor tanning among teens remains prevalent. Experts estimate that the year 2004 will see over 95,800 new cases of melanoma -- the deadliest form of skin cancer -- representing a 4 percent increase from 2003.
Of the approximately 7,000 white teenagers (ages 13-19) surveyed, 47 percent of teenage girls, ages 18- to 19-years-old, reported they had used a tanning bed three or more times, compared with 11.2 percent of 13- to 14-year-olds; moreover, 36.8 percent of girls reported using a tanning bed at least once, compared to 11.2 percent of boys. Researchers also observed the role geography played in tanning, noting that rural teens and teens in the Midwest and South were more likely to use tanning facilities than urban teens and those in other areas.
Since the Department of Health and Human Services has UV radiation from the sun and artificial light sources listed as a carcinogen known to cause cancer, it is best to avoid tanning and excessive sun exposure altogether. Experts recommend always using a sunblock with at least an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 when outdoors.
For more information, read "Malignant Melanoma: Learn to Recognize a Killer" at www.massagetoday.com/archives/2003/09/04.html.
Source: Press release. Teens urged to heed warning on dangers of tanning. American Academy of Dermatology. May 3, 2004. www.aad.org.
Discover the Benefits of Tai Chi
Need more energy, mental clarity and inner peace? Why not try tai chi, an ancient Chinese practice of meditation and self-defense involving slow, rhythmic body movements that help facilitate health and wellness by harnassing and directing the flow of qi -- the body's natural energy -- thus enabling the body to heal and strengthen itself from within.
Proponents of tai chi report its benefits for stress relief, increased balance and flexibility, improved circulation and even pain relief. Though not a form of massage therapy, tai chi can help maximize the massage experience by quieting the mind and promoting relaxation.
For more information on the benefits of massage, including Asian bodywork, visit www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.
This Month's Massage Q & A
Question: Is massage safe or beneficial for someone in the early stages of Parkinson's disease? Could massage affect the use of medication for the disease?
Answer: A person diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive degenerative neurological disorder, may find temporary relief from massage therapy. The objective of a massage treatment is to reduce rigidity by using gentle and slow massage strokes. Gentle massage applied to the base of the neck, as well as non-forceful, passive movement of the joints are also indicated. Gentle massage treatment will not affect a patient's use of medication.
Question: Is it safe for someone who has taken recreational drugs such as Ecstacy, LSD, or amphetamines to receive a massage treatment? The effects of these drugs usually last about 4-6 hours. Could a treatment help the body rebalance and detoxify after this time period, or is there a longer period of contraindication?
Answer: If drug use is beyond recreational or if the patient has had continued excessive consumption of drugs for a number of days and is "coming down," deep massage and bodywork should be avoided, as massage may be overtaxing to the liver, which could overburden the body's detoxification process. A person recovering from substance abuse may find psychological and physiological benefits of massage therapy, such as decreased anxiety and reduced stress levels.
Note: Information provided in the Massage Q & A section is drawn from the "Ask a Massage Therapist" forum, in which massage therapists field questions relative to the massage profession. The forum is located online at www.massagetoday.com/ask/.
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