National Massage Therapy Awareness Week
October 19-25 marks the National Massage Therapy Awareness Week. You can visit the American Massage Therapy Association -New York Chapter http://amtany.org to see whats going on.
I will be at the Fayetteville Senior Center on Wednesday, October 22 from 1-3pm. I am still looking for other AMTA members to volunteer at this event. As of now we have 2 therapists shceduled to participate giving free chair massage. The purpose of this event is to educate seniors, their families and those who work in a healthcare facility about the many benefits of massage therapy.
I have included an excerpt from the AMTA-NY website which describes some benefits of massage:
More on Massage Therapy:
An Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain
A study conducted by Beth Israel-Deaconess Center for Alternative Medicine Research and Education and the Center for Health Studies in Seattle concluded that therapeutic massage was an effective treatment for providing long-lasting benefits for patients suffering from chronic low back pain. In fact, researchers hypothesize that massage might be an effective alternative to conventional medical care for persistent low back pain. Researchers hope to continue their research to determine which components of the massage therapy experience contribute to its effectiveness.
Helping Breast Cancer Survivors Cope Emotionally and Physically
Research shows therapeutic massage is an effective complement to traditional medical care for women suffering from the trauma of undergoing a lumpectomy, mastectomy or breast reconstruction. Pre-surgery, massage relaxes muscle tissue and increases the flow of lymph. Post surgery, women who use specialized lymph drainage techniques from a well-trained massage therapist as part of their treatment for lymphedema may experience less pain and swelling, as massage helps disperse build-up of lymphatic fluid. Although the physiological benefits are important, many women who’ve undergone breast cancer treatment report that the emotional benefits of massage are paramount. Women report that massage helps them reconnect with their bodies after this invasive surgery.
Easing Pain After Bypass Surgery
According to a pilot study conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, massage therapy reduces pain and muscle spasms in patients who have undergone heart bypass surgery when patients are treated at the hospital after their surgery. Because of its effectiveness, 60 percent of the massage group expressed a willingness to pay for massage therapy out-of-pocket.
Boosting Immune Function
During periods of stress, the effectiveness of the body’s immune system is reduced. Research indicates that massage can increase the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity (the activity level of the body’s natural “killer cells”) and decrease the number of T-cells, which improves the body’s immune functioning overall.
Finding a Massage Therapist
To get the answers to questions you may have about your health, check with your doctor, then contact a Professional
member of AMTA by using AMTA’s free Find-A-Massage Therapist national locator service by phone at 888-THE-AMTA (188-843-2682) or through
AMTA’s Web Site. http://amta.org
Tags: Massage Therapy
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