March 2006 [Volume 5, Issue 3]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Babies Enjoy Massage, Too
• Research Shows Massage Effective in Treating Common Ailments
• Answers to Your Massage Questions: Highlights From This Month's "Ask a Massage Therapist" Online Forum

Today's expectant moms have many hospital options to choose from including private suites, soothing music and the latest technological advances. Moms are given whatever they need to help them relax and enjoy a smooth delivery of their bundle of joy. Many hospitals now use pain relief measures such as aromatherapy, relaxation music, acupuncture and water immersion.

Now, babies are getting into the relaxation mode as some hospitals have begun to offer baby massage and aromatherapy to help these tiny ones adjust to life outside the hospital. Baby massage classes have become very popular as a way to help mom and baby bond and relax.

"There is research that shows babies who are massaged have reduced stress hormones, their immune systems are enhanced, they put on weight because their digestive system is improved and they sleep better," said midwife Gwen Brown, a baby massage instructor.

"It's an incredible bonding experience and parents can continue massage into childhood and adolescent years," Brown said.

If you are a mother-to-be or know someone who is, check your local hospital and see if baby massage is an available program.

An increasing amount of research suggests that massage helps to ease or prevent common ailments that are most often treated with prescription drugs and/or extended hospitalization. Some of the most surprising research supports the effectiveness of massage therapy in reinforcing psychological stability and its positive effects on preterm infants.

Studies show that massage therapy can reduce anxiety and depression associated with anorexia and bulimia, post traumatic stress disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients suffering from eating disorders who received massage therapy two times a week for a little over a month experienced a decrease in anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction, while their dopamine levels increased. Survivors of the 1996 Hurricane Andrew underwent massage therapy to treat symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. They also experienced decreased anxiety and depression, and an decrease in cortisol (stress hormone levels). And following 10 days of massage therapy, chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers experienced fewer somatic symptoms, and less difficulty sleeping as cortisol levels decreased and dopamine levels increased.

Massage also has affected the weight gain, sleep quality, and overall development of preterm infants. Infants who were massaged before sleeping, had a tendency to fall asleep more quickly and exhibited more consistent sleeping patterns than infants who were not massaged. After eight months, the same infants who received massage therapy as newborns displayed optimal cognitive and motor control development.

Question: What is the best way to treat plantar fascitis? What can I suggest to the client besides ice massage that she can do for herself? Do we know what causes plantar fascitis? This client used to walk six miles twice a day but now has trouble when she first gets out of bed in the morning. Why does she feel more pain after she has been sitting for a while?

Answer: Often, plantar fascitis is caused from tightness in the peroneus longus and brevis, tibialis posterior, flexor digitorium longus and flexor hallucis longus. Basically, the muscles located in the medial and lateral sides of the lower leg. As the muscles become tight, they pull on their attachment sites on the bottom of the foot. Sometimes, if left untreated, a bone spur can form near the heel of the foot. Several of my clients have suffered plantar facitis, but after using lengthening techniques for those muscles, the symptoms disappeared. I used dp stripping, cross friction, compression and also repetitive use therapy as taught by Michael Young (putting the muscle into a stretch and applying pressure for two seconds). Also, be sure to work the tibialis anterior and the arches of both feet as well.

Rajam Roose

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/. Answers should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation and do not in any way constitute the practice of massage therapy or any other health care profession. Readers should consult their own health care providers for medical advice.

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