|
|
Friday, August 23, 2002
|
|
| |
|
|
|
The idea hasn't been thoroughly researched, but a couple of small studies suggest that massage can help relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). [WebMD]
|
|
4:10:43 PM 
|
|
|
|
Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods in the gallery of health care practices dating back up to 4,000 years. This article outlines well-known message therapy methods and discusses current research. [WebMd]
In the 4th century B.C., Hippocrates wrote, "The physician must be acquainted with many things and assuredly with rubbing" (the ancient Greek and Roman term for massage).
|
|
4:07:55 PM
|
|
|
May 9, 2002 -- Many fibromyalgia symptoms -- pain, stiffness, fatigue, depression -- can be relieved with massage therapy. Now, researchers say they understand why. Massage alters the sleep pattern, which reduces levels of the chemical messenger for pain.
Fibromyalgia affects approximately 3-6 million people in the U.S., mostly women, according to lead author Tiffany Field, PhD, a researcher with the Touch Research Institutes in Miami. It causes widespread muscle and soft tissue pain, tenderness, and fatigue. A person with fibromyalgia will experience pain when "trigger points" are pressed.
Previous studies have shown that exercise, stretching, relaxation therapy, and massage therapy can provide relief for people with fibromyalgia. Massage therapy has also been shown to reduce pain, stiffness, fatigue, and sleeping difficulties. But researchers have not known exactly what massage does to provide relief.
In this five-week study, 20 adults with fibromyalgia received either massage therapy or relaxation therapy twice weekly. The massage was a combination of several types, including Swedish, Shiatsu, and Trager, all using moderate pressure. People in the other group went to progressive muscle relaxation sessions.
"Both groups showed a decrease in anxiety and depressed mood immediately after the first and last therapy sessions," writes Field.
The big difference showed up in their sleep, she adds. Only the massage therapy group reported an increase in hours of sleep and a decrease in their sleep movements, as well as lower levels of the chemical messenger for pain -- called "substance P."
|
|
4:02:19 PM
|
|
|
If you've never had a massage, don't put it off -- not for a minute. In our stress-worn world, an allover body massage might be just what you need.
Just ask Ms. Connelly, a plucky 60ish southern lady. Her fallopian tube cancer became evident only after it had spread through her pelvis. The weeks when she's getting chemotherapy are tough; her energy is zapped. She's making the best of the cards dealt her.
"I have my achy days," she tells WebMD. "I get these knots in my neck, in my back."
Massage helps relieve that tension, but it also does much more, says Becky Getz, RN, CMT, who is Connelly's massage therapist at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Va.
Cancer patients like Connelly are often dehydrated, and a chemotherapy treatment causes areas of the body to become stiff, Getz tells WebMD. "I think massage helps bring chemotherapy, fluids, into the body a little more gently."
In fact, Getz works with many cancer patients long after their treatment -- soothing the dryness, tightness, and pain that surgery leaves behind. "Sometimes the effects of cancer last for years," she tells WebMD.
That's not all. Studies have shown that massage helps with all sorts of conditions -- arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Alzheimer's patients and kids with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also benefit from massage.
Even more interesting: Kids with diabetes have more normal blood sugar levels after massage. Premature babies gain weight faster when they're massaged. Massage eases depression, keeps depressed mothers from giving birth too early, and prevents postpartum depression.
Massage does much more than relieve everyday stress, and studies are proving it.
Ancient Health Practice Gaining Credibility
Massage is one of the oldest of health practices, found in ancient Chinese medical texts written some 4,000 years ago. Hippocrates advocated massage in the 4th century BC, as have doctors since then -- until the 1930s and '40s, when the practice was virtually abandoned as medicine became high-tech.
During the 1970s, massage went through a slight resurgence -- one that's finally taken hold in more recent years as healthcare practitioners become more attune to ancient healing practices -- and as Medicare and insurance payers have begun covering it.
"We believe in it in our clinic," says Ka-Kit Hui, MD, director of the Center for East-West Medicine at UCLA School of Medicine. "We believe it does more than just help people feel better."
In Chinese medicine, massage is called acupressure, he tells WebMD. In essence, massage and acupressure both work with the body's own healing systems -- the nervous system, blood vessels, lymphatic system.
"The concept is to remove stagnation," says Hui. "When your muscle spasms, it's a form of stagnation. The blood is not moving as smoothly as it should, either because of internal stress or as a reaction to pain."
He runs a "clinic of last resort" for patients with various pain problems -- fibromyalgia, neck spasms, frozen shoulder, and what's called "failed back syndrome." They've had two or three surgeries for back pain and nothing has helped.
"Oftentimes our patients either do not respond to pain medications or can't tolerate medications, or can't tolerate surgery or don't want surgery, or they fail surgery," he says. "We have been a resource center for them."
Doctors have been slow to refer patients to massage therapy simply because most aren't acquainted with it in their training, he tells WebMD.
"Today's massage therapists are better trained, better regulated than ever before," Hui says. "In prevention of disease, health promotion, massage may be an adjunct for patients who need our medication, who need our surgery. It may decrease complications, decrease pain and suffering."
The Scientific Evidence
People with migraine pain, lower back pain, arthritis -- they all can benefit from massage. New parents know that babies who are massaged are calmer and sleep better.
The effects on premature babies are especially dramatic. The babies gain weight faster -- and leave the expensive hospital neonatal intensive care unit earlier -- if they are massaged, says Tiffany Field, PhD, a psychologist and director of the Touch Therapy Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
Field's own daughter was born prematurely in 1976 and inadvertently became her first study subject. "We were trying to help her grow," she tells WebMD. "We found that massage helped."
Since then, she's led 83 studies looking at massage's effects on depression, pain, autism, autoimmune disorders such as asthma and diabetes, and immunity.
Her research group is trying to understand the biological mechanisms that make massage so powerful -- looking at basic physiological measures such as heart rate, blood pressure, EEG; stress hormones such as cortisol; and chemicals in the brain that are thought to affect stress and pain.
Among her findings: Premature babies who are massaged three times a day have 47% more weight, are discharged six days earlier, and the hospital cost savings is approximately $10,000.
Depressed mothers who received twice-weekly massages before they delivered had lower levels of cortisol, which reduced their risk of premature delivery. It also reduced their risk of postpartum depression. Something else: None of their babies was born with higher cortisol (which affects babies' development.)
Her work has also included children and adolescents:
- Two chair massages per week made adolescents less aggressive.
- Asthmatic children who received massages had increased air movement, lung function, less anxiety, and reduced stress.
- Teachers rated adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as being less hyperactive -- and more able to spend time on tasks -- following one month of twice-weekly massages. The adolescents rated themselves as happier and were observed as fidgeting less.
During massage, a major nerve in the body called the vagus nerve is stimulated, which slows heart rate, Field explains. "The heart needs to be slowed down for a child to pay attention. We think that's how it works with ADHD."
Other findings:
- Autistic children were more sensitive to touch, paid more attention to sounds, and related to teachers better after massage.
- When diabetic children received regular massages from parents, glucose levels decreased to normal range; they also followed diet requirements better.
In a recently published paper, Field reported that when patients with fibromyalgia had massages, they had less pain and slept better. They also had lower levels of "substance P," a chemical messenger for pain.
She speculates that massage works because it elevates serotonin -- the body's anti-pain hormone -- and reduces cortisol, the stress hormone.
Ready for a Massage?
Stress is indeed a big problem for everyone these days, and massage is a legitimate way to eliminate that stress. People who are "big exercisers" also need to give their bodies a break, Getz says.
"We all need to give ourselves a focused time to relax," Getz tells WebMD. "We're all operating on flight or fight."
If you're slightly reluctant about that first massage, just relax, she says. "A professional therapist will provide professional treatment, professional draping. All trained massage therapists are very conscious of people's fears about being touched and can help make you comfortable."
To find a good massage therapist: Massage therapy schools often offer discounted massages performed by students who are near the end of their training.
The American Massage Therapy Association also offers a regional "find a massage therapist" database on its web site.
|
|
3:59:23 PM
|
|
|
|
By Matt Brignall, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (August 22, 2002)—A standardized extract of the herb devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is effective for the majority of people with low back, knee, or hip pain, according to a study published in Phytomedicine (2002;9:181–94).
In this study, 250 men and women reporting pain in the low back, hips, or knees took two tablets, three times daily of devil’s claw standardized extract (providing 60 mg of total harpagoside per day) for eight weeks. The authors of the study monitored each person for clinical improvement and for side effects.
Between 50 and 70% of those treated noted some improvement in pain with the devil’s claw treatment, with an average reduction of 30 to 40% in pain reported. In general, the herb tended to be more effective against hip or knee pain than against low back pain. Also, younger people tended to have more noticeable pain relief than older people.
Only 29 people (11.6%) reported adverse effects that could possibly be attributed to the medication. Complaints included gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting, and allergic rash. Ten people discontinued devil’s claw due to side effects.
Devil’s claw is thought to work, at least in part, by inhibiting the release of molecules that promote inflammation. Because devil’s claw stops inflammation rather than simply blocking the perception of pain, the researchers believe that the herb may be able to actually slow the progression of joint destruction in people with arthritis. The common prescription medications for arthritis, on the other hand, do not help slow joint breakdown, although natural remedies such as glucosamine and chondroitin do appear to have such an effect.
Previous studies with devil’s claw have shown it to be more effective than placebo and as effective as rofecoxib (Vioxx®) for the treatment of arthritic pain. Devil’s claw also causes fewer side effects than commonly used pain-relieving medications, and is less expensive than many of the common prescription drugs such as rofecoxib.
Devil’s claw is an herb native to the southern part of Africa. In addition to its use as a treatment for joint pain, it has commonly been used to treat indigestion. As devil’s claw may stimulate the production of stomach acid, it should not be used by people with peptic ulcers. People on blood-thinning medication (e.g., warfarin) should also avoid devil’s claw.
Matt Brignall, ND is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Bastyr University. He works at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, where he specializes in complementary medicine approaches to cancer. He has been published in several journals, including Alternative Medicine Review, Coping With Cancer, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Brignall also teaches clinical nutrition at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. He is a regular contributor to Healthnotes, Healthnotes Newswire, and the Healthnotes Quick!Reference series.
|
|
12:08:43 PM
|
|
|
|
By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (August 22, 2002)—Postmenopausal women taking a common hormone-replacement regimen that includes estrogen and progestin may be at increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2002;288:321–33). This is disturbing news for the millions of women who have been prescribed hormones to prevent heart disease and osteoporosis or to treat menopausal symptoms. Researchers discontinued the study early, since they felt the risks of estrogen and progestin therapy significantly outweighed the benefits.
The use of long-term hormone replacement has become controversial over the past few years, particularly due to increases in breast cancer and lack of protection against heart disease reported in other studies. With the publication of the new study, there is now strong evidence that long-term use of the conventional Premarin®/Provera® regimen causes more harm than good.
Some physicians believe that the adverse effects seen in studies of hormone-replacement therapy are the result of using hormones that are structurally different from a woman’s natural hormones. Most studies have used estrogens obtained from the urine of pregnant horses (Premarin®) combined with a synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone (medroxyprogesterone acetate; Provera®). Although there are anecdotal reports that using hormones identical to those produced by the human ovary (estrone/estradiol/estriol plus natural progesterone) is effective and safer than Premarin®/Provera®, no scientific studies have been done to confirm those reports.
The Women’s Health Initiative was a study designed to evaluate the benefits and risks of 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogens and 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate per day in almost 17,000 healthy women between the ages of 50 and 79. The study was supposed to continue for eight and a half years but was terminated after five years due to significant increases in the incidence of breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots, and strokes in women taking the hormones compared with those taking a placebo. Although reductions in the incidence colon cancer and hip fractures were also observed in the women taking hormone replacement, the researchers decided these benefits did not justify continuing the study.
Women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms, and those interested in preventing heart disease and osteoporosis, may benefit from some nutritional or herbal therapies. Several studies suggest that consuming 50 to 60 grams per day of soy protein or taking a supplement containing 50 to 100 mg per day of soy isoflavones may reduce the risk of heart disease, decrease hot flashes, and prevent osteoporosis. Taking 2 to 8 mg per day of a standardized extract of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) may reduce hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, but has no known effect on preventing osteoporosis. Some studies suggest 300 to 600 mg per day of magnesium may help prevent osteoporosis. Some people develop loose stools from magnesium supplements, a side effect that can usually be eliminated by reducing the amount taken. For more information on other natural treatments or for specific amounts to take, it is best to consult a physician knowledgeable in nutritional or botanical medicine.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
|
|
12:07:53 PM
|
|
|
|
By James Gerber, MS, DC
Healthnotes Newswire (August 22, 2002)—A new clinical trial published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (2002;288:835–40) suggests that Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) does not benefit brain function in elderly persons not suffering from memory disorders. This finding runs counter to claims on ginkgo supplement labels promising improved memory or mental sharpness.
This study is one of the first to test ginkgo on elderly people not suffering from memory loss. Most ginkgo research has focused on helping older patients with Alzheimer’s disease, or related milder conditions such as age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) or cerebral insufficiency. A majority of these trials have reported positive results. Two years ago, a trial similar to the one reported this week found trends toward improvement in some measures of memory function in healthy older people given ginkgo, but the overall effect was modest at best. Studies testing ginkgo for memory enhancement in younger subjects have also reported some measurable, though mild, benefits.
In the current trial, 120 mg per day of GBE (Ginkoba®) or a placebo was given to a group of 230 healthy men and women older than 60 years who scored well on a standard assessment of mental function. These participants were evaluated with a group of neuropsychological tests before beginning supplementation and again after six weeks. The tests included evaluations of learning ability and memory, attention and concentration, and use of language. In addition, each person in the study, and someone maintaining close regular contact with the person, answered questionnaires designed to rate personal impressions of changes in the participant’s memory. The results showed no significant differences between the ginkgo and placebo groups.
The short duration and relatively low amounts of GBE used in the current study are a potential limitation, and may have contributed to the negative results. As the authors of this study acknowledge: "It is certainly possible that higher doses or longer periods of exposure than used in this study are necessary to detect changes…." Some prior successful ginkgo studies have lasted well over six weeks, and used daily amounts above 120 mg per day, although other studies have found positive results with 120 mg per day.
The cognitive and circulatory benefits of ginkgo have been well documented in over a hundred published studies. In addition to ARCD and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, preliminary research has found ginkgo to have benefit in such varied conditions as depression (in the elderly), erectile dysfunction caused by poor circulation, macular degeneration, schizophrenia (in combination with haloperidol), vertigo, peripheral occlusive arterial disease (a condition characterized by pain in leg muscles during walking affecting many older adults), and mountain sickness (which affects hikers suffering from lack of oxygen in high altitudes). In much of this research, GBE intake was between 120 and 240 mg per day, given in divided amounts, for a duration of 8 to 12 weeks.
Ginkgo extract remains a promising treatment for age-related memory disorders. However, whether taking ginkgo has an important impact on mental function in healthy people is still an open question that will only be answered with continued research.
James Gerber, MS, DC, is the Scientific Advisor for the Healthnotes Newsletter, an exclusive product of Healthnotes, Inc. Dr. Gerber is Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences at Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon and a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and the University of Bridgeport. In addition, he teaches post-graduate courses for several professional colleges. Dr. Gerber is the author of the Handbook of Preventive and Therapeutic Nutrition (Aspen, 1992) and a contributor to Conservative Management of Sports Injuries (Williams & Wilkins, 1997).
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
|
12:06:33 PM
|
|
|
|
I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, "Mom! That lady isn't wearing a seat belt!"
|
|
11:43:53 AM
|
|
|
|
On the first day of school, a first grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents."
|
|
11:43:30 AM
|
|
|
|
A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter -- haven't you ever seen a little boy before?"
|
|
11:42:53 AM
|
|
|
© Copyright
2002
Rick@Leaders.net.
Last update:
11/18/2002; 10:52:32 PM.
|
|
|
