April 2005 [Volume 4, Issue 4]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Tai Chi for Health
• The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Are Here
• Answers to Your Massage Questions: Highlights From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

Tai chi is an ancient practice that combines breathing techniques, meditation and body movements performed in slow-motion. Although first taught as a form of self-defense, tai chi is now practiced by millions of people worldwide as a means of reducing stress, promoting balance and flexibility, and enhancing well-being.

A recent study examined the role tai chi can play in treating heart failure. In the trial, 30 patients with chronic stable heart failure (average age 64) were randomized to receive either "usual care" (consisting of drug therapy and diet/exercise counseling), or usual care plus 12 weeks of tai chi training. Tai chi training consisted of a one-hour tai chi class held twice weekly. To measure changes between groups, the researchers incorporated a variety of tests, including a quality of life questionnaire and an exercise capacity test.

At the end of 12 weeks, patients in the tai chi group had significantly improved quality of life scores compared to the usual-care-only group (an average of 25 points higher among tai chi patients). In addition, patients in the tai chi group were able to walk longer distances without difficulty, and had lower levels of B-type natriuretic peptides (an indicator of heart failure) than usual-care-only patients. The researchers concluded that tai chi "may be a beneficial adjunctive treatment that enhances quality of life and functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure who are already receiving standard medical therapy."

In addition to tai chi, try incorporating regular massage treatments into your overall wellness plan. Massage can help reduce stress levels, promote relaxation and improve quality of life, as well as aid in injury rehabilitation. Talk to a therapist today about how massage can benefit you. For more information, visit www.massagetoday.com.

Reference: Yeh GY, Wood MJ, Lorell BH, et al. Effects of tai chi mind-body movement therapy on functional status on exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Medicine Oct. 15, 2004;117(8):541-548.

In January, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005." New guidelines are issued by the HHS and USDA every five years, and since obesity in America is at an all time high, it seems they came just in the nick of time.

Among the new recommendations, the guidelines place a strong emphasis on fruit and vegetable consumption and recommend that consumers select "from all five vegetable subgroups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) several times a week." The guidelines also emphasize whole-grain consumption and recommend three cups of fat-free milk products per day. Other recommendations include limiting sugar, sodium, and saturated and trans-fat intakes, and limiting alcohol consumption to one to two drinks a day. The overarching theme of the guidelines emphasizes selecting foods that are high in nutrients and low in calories.

"Considering the epidemic of obesity we face in our country, people need all the help they can get in understanding the relationships between food consumption, a healthy diet, physical fitness and good health," Susan H. Laramee, a registered dietitian and president of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), said in the press release. The new guidelines will also direct the nation's policies for the next five years for government nutrition programs, including research, education, food assistance programs, labeling and nutrition promotion, the press release said.

In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, massage therapy is a great way to achieve whole body wellness, too. For more information, visit www.massagetoday.com.

References:

1. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.
2. Press release. What do 2005 dietary guidelines mean for Americans? American Dietetic Association. Jan 12, 2005. www.eatright.org.

Question: Why does a massage therapist want background information about my physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress levels and any painful areas?

Answer: Patient information gives the massage therapist insight into a patient's primary complaint, current health, lifestyle and medical history. Asking a patient about their physical condition allows the therapist to focus the direction of treatment. If, for example, a patient has a past surgical history such as lumbar fusion, laminectomy, or a medical device (inserted under the skin) that dispenses pain medication, etc., the massage therapist will know what techniques may be contraindicated. Knowledge about lifestyle -- whether a patient is athletic, a weekend warrior, or spends long hours typing on a computer -- gives clues about possible muscular imbalances and stress patterns, and pain caused by stress is addressed differently than pain caused by injury. Some massage techniques are more responsive than others in patients with high stress levels. So, you can see how these questions might help a massage therapist in his/her approach to treatment.

Question: Can bone spurs of the knee and the accompanying pain be relieved with massage?

Answer: Bone spurs (osteophytes) are bony projections that form along joint surfaces. It’s the body’s way of increasing the surface area of the joint to better distribute weight when it has been damaged by arthritis or other conditions. Bone spurs can become restrictive and painful. Since this is an actual bone modification, massage therapy can’t change it; however, massage can soothe pain and help reduce swelling that may accompany bone spurs. Massage and gentle stretching can help maintain the knee joint’s range of motion. It can also relax the surrounding muscles; increase circulation to the joint and local area to bring in fresh oxygen and nutrients; and remove waste products from the cells.

**Note From the Editor** Last month's Q & A section featured a question regarding the appropriateness of tipping massage therapists who work in medical settings, specifically chiropractic offices. The answer given from the forum indicated that, generally, tipping in medical settings is not appropriate; however, Massage Today received an e-mail from a TYH subscriber with another perspective: "Tipping massage therapists needs to be evaluated as to whether it is a massage that has been prescribed by a doctor or a personal massage done by someone who works at a medical facility."

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:

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