December 2004 [Volume 3, Issue12]

To Your Health is brought to you by:

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to:

http://www.massagetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php

In this issue of To Your Health:

• Aching Mind, Aching Back
• Lower Extremity Injuries: Know the Risks
• Answers to Your Massage Questions: Highlights From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

The typical portrait of depression is an individual with slumped shoulders, slow movement and a defeated look. While there are a number of potential consequences of depression, you might be surprised to know that depression could actually be associated with back pain.

In a recent study, 744 members of a large health plan, ages 70 years and older, were given a baseline assessment that included evaluation of demographic, medical, physical and cognitive status. Their depressive symptoms were defined based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression Scale (CES-DS). At baseline, 153 of the subjects were found to be depressed; over a 12-month follow-up period,186 participants reported disabling back pain during one to two months, with 91 reporting back pain during three months. The researchers concluded that the presence of depressive symptoms was independently associated with the occurrence of disabling back pain.

Depression and back pain can be disabling, independent of one another; but when the two are combined, the results can be devastating. Talk to your doctor if you're suffering from symptoms of depression and remember, massage therapy not only helps alleviate back pain, it can help calm the mind and lift the spirits, thereby reducing bouts of depression.

For more information on the benefits of massage therapy, visit www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.

Reference: Reid CR, et al. Depressive symptoms as a risk factor for disabling back pain in community-dwelling older persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Dec. 2003;51(12), pp1710.

It's been estimated that sports-related injuries cost up to $1 billion annually worldwide. In the U.S. alone, between 3 million and 5 million sports-related injuries occur each year; most are injuries to the ankle, knee and lower leg, also called lower extremities.

What increases the risk of suffering a lower extremity injury, and how can you reduce the risk of getting hurt? Researchers in Vermont set out to answer these questions by reviewing several previous studies and found approximately 20 factors that can contribute to lower extremity injuries. Among the most common factors are age; history of previous injury; body size (including the size of a person's limb); muscle strength; the type of shoe being used while performing an activity; whether the person is using any type of ankle wrap or bracing; and playing surface. All of these factors can determine, positively or negatively, the degree to which a person might sustain a lower extremity injury while playing sports.

If you suspect you have an injury, talk to your doctor about treatment options, including massage therapy. Massage has been shown to significantly reduce injury-related pain. And if you're involved in an organized sport or other type of regular physical activity, sports massage is a useful way to help minimize potential injury.

For more information on the benefits of massage therapy, visit www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.

Reference: Murphy DF, Connolly DAJ, Beynnon BD. Risk factors for lower extremity injury: a review of the literature. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2003;37:13-29.

Question: I have ankylosing spondylitus and have deterioration in the wrists and hands from sinovitus. I cycle, as it keeps me healthy and mobile; I can ride for about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour, then I experience great pain. A rest and a bit of manipulation does wonders, but after a while I am in pain again. Is there anything I can do off the bike to build up the hands and wrists to combat this problem?

Answer: Sinovitis is an inflammation of the lining membrane of joints. Since you have this condition in your wrists, most likely, this is the cause of your pain. If it is chronic sinovitis, any form of heat will be soothing. Kneading and deep friction strokes around the joint, along with passive movements will help break up adhesions. Make sure to talk to your doctor before staring any treatment plan.

Question: How long does massage school take?

Answer: In unlicensed states, regulations regarding the amount of educational hours required vary from city to city; you will have to check each city's laws where you want to practice. Depending on the amount of education required and/or desired, it can take anywhere from six to 12 months. There are longer programs if desired.

Note: Information provided in this Q&A section is drawn from the "Ask a Massage Therapist" online forum, in which massage therapists field questions relative to the massage profession. Readers are encouraged to post their questions at www.massagetoday.com/ask/.

This edition of To Your Health is co-sponsored by:

Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from our e-mail subscription list at http://www.massagetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/unsubscribe.php.

If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at http://www.massagetoday.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.