How a massage can boost your health

There is no doubt that a good massage can relieve your stress and make you feel good.

Now, new research suggests that it can also help you maintain good health.

Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reported last week that a single massage produced measurable changes in the immune system and endocrine system of healthy adults.

They studied 29 healthy adults who received a 45-minute vigorous Swedish massage and 24 healthy adults who had a 45-minute session of light touch massage.

The researchers, led by Dr. Mark Rapaport, took blood samples before the massage began and at regular intervals up to one hour after the massage was completed.

The study found several changes in the blood tests of the Swedish Massage group that indicated a benefit to the immune system.

The vigorous massage caused sizeable decreases in arginine vasopressin, a hormone that contributes to aggressive behaviour and Small decreases in the stress hormone cortisol.

The participants in this group also had an increase in lymphocytes, cells that help the immune system defend the body from harmful substances.

Log Angeles Times

Excepts from The Straits Times Mind Your Body Pg 30 Health Bite dated September 16, 2010

Treatment

• Take medicine that reduces muscle and point inflammation
• Wearing back braces and corsets to relieve strain on your back and support it temporarily
• Lying down in a comfortable position if you feel pain
• Apply hot and cold packs to relieve sore and inflamed back muscles alternatively. Immediately after back pain starts, apply ice compresses several times a day, for up to 20 minutes each application. After the spasms and acute pain subside, apply heat packs, again for 20 minutes each application. The hot pack helps loosen tight muscles.

When it lessens:

• Try to get moving again and increase your activity level gradually
• Try not to stay in a single position or do any activity for more than 30 minutes each time
• Avoid lifting heavy items, bending or twisting until you have been pain-free for some time
• Of course avoid activities which causes the pain

Corticosteroid injections for more sever back pain. Injected into the facet joints, the joints between the vertebrae

Sleep is very important for recovery

Sleep lying on your back with a pillow under your knees and/or a squeeze ball at the point of pain to give it a form of acupressure point massage.

Or lying in a foetal position with a bolster between your knees

Physiotherapy including:

• Massage
• Exercising in a swimming pool or hydrotherapy
• Exercise to improve muscle strength, posture and flexibility.
• Relaxing to ease pain and loosen tense muscles