The Daily Mail reported that researchers at Leeds University in the U.K., have associated regular neck massage with lower blood pressure. It seems that signals in the neck regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. When the neck becomes inactive from stress or pain, those signals stop functioning. They estimate that one in ten Brit suffers from neck pain, usually associated with stress and high blood pressure is responsible for 60,000 British deaths a year and is expected to grow as Brits work longer hours.
Massage Magazine reports that research at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami found that twice-weekly 30 minute massage sessions reduced blood pressure. When compared to the control group that was given instruction for twice-weekly progressive relaxation, both groups had lower anxiety and depression scores. However, the group receiving massage therapy also showed decreased blood pressure, decreased cortisol levels, and lower scores for depression, anxiety, and hostility. They also encouraged larger studies to further their research.
Do you suffer from a stiff or sore neck or high blood pressure? Give massage therapy a try. Call me at (770) 984-8040 for an appointment.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Why does massage feel so good?
Imagine one of your usual busy days, working hard, under a deadline. Will you ever get a break from all this pressure? Don't you just wonder sometimes?
When you lie down to receive a massage, sometimes simple act of lying down, taking a load off your feet begins to remove the figurative, but no less real, load off your back. And then the session begins, first with breathing in the relaxation, allowing body and mind begin to let go. And then the touch, the connection, finding the tension spots, feeling them relax under magical fingers. Have you ever wondered why massage therapy feels so good?
Within the first few days of massage school, we viewed what was known as the Touch Video, probably from Nova. In it we learned that if a newborn human was given everything it needs except for touch he would die. There was also a study in a corner store where the checkout clerk would give the customer change either without touching them, or by touching them very quickly and subtly. Outside someone would ask them about their experience, whether they liked the store and whether the clerk touched them. Interestingly those who were touched claimed they were not touched but still rated the business more favorably than those who were not touched.
I think massage feels so good because we are social beings, making touch a part of our very nature. Touch complements our humanity.
When you lie down to receive a massage, sometimes simple act of lying down, taking a load off your feet begins to remove the figurative, but no less real, load off your back. And then the session begins, first with breathing in the relaxation, allowing body and mind begin to let go. And then the touch, the connection, finding the tension spots, feeling them relax under magical fingers. Have you ever wondered why massage therapy feels so good?
Within the first few days of massage school, we viewed what was known as the Touch Video, probably from Nova. In it we learned that if a newborn human was given everything it needs except for touch he would die. There was also a study in a corner store where the checkout clerk would give the customer change either without touching them, or by touching them very quickly and subtly. Outside someone would ask them about their experience, whether they liked the store and whether the clerk touched them. Interestingly those who were touched claimed they were not touched but still rated the business more favorably than those who were not touched.
I think massage feels so good because we are social beings, making touch a part of our very nature. Touch complements our humanity.
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