Massage therapy is the application of soft tissue manipulation to the muscles of the human body. Massage techniques are most commonly applied by hands, fingers, elbows, forearms, thighs, feet, or some kind of device. Massage has been practiced since ancient times and has been shown to reduce stress and improve health. The purpose of massage is usually for the relief of pain or body tension.
Massage has many uses in modern medicine. The ability to physically touch and manipulate the soft tissue has increased its effectiveness in treating medical conditions. This type of manipulation allows therapists to relieve pain and control muscle stiffness. Massage has been used in sports medicine to help athletes prevent injury and manage symptoms of certain injuries better. Massage has also been an integral part of medical procedures such as surgery and pediatric surgery. It is no longer reserved for specialist massage therapists.
Research has shown that regular Massage helps to relax and reduce anxiety and chronic pain in those with cancer. Cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy experienced significant decreases in their scores on the Hand and Arm Horizontal Movement Domain (HAHEM) of the SF-RA. The research was conducted by investigators at the Dana institute for Cancer Research, through the support of the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. The study was a small group of breast cancer survivors who had completed treatment and were followed for two years after their treatment had ended.
In the study, the participants had hand and arm movements performed by a skilled massage therapist. Over a six month period, the researchers observed that the patients who had regular massage therapy had lower HAHEM Scores, and this improvement was maintained through the end of the six month period. The researchers also noted that chronic pain was reduced by almost half in the group. However, there were no significant changes noted in those who had regular radiation therapy or those receiving chemotherapy. This study did not investigate the effect of massage on the participants who had prostate cancer.
Another set of research studies found that massage could have positive physical effects in individuals with digestive disorders or those experiencing anxiety due to certain issues. Regular massage seemed to normalize bowel functions, reduce abdominal discomfort, and ease indigestion. Anxiety was also reduced, as the participants were able to relax during bowel movements.
Massage therapy has been shown to stimulate the production of natural chemicals in the body, called endorphins. Endorphins are said to work with the immune system to fight infection and to maintain a healthy nervous system. When circulation is improved, the nervous system receives increased blood flow, which enhances the function of all areas of the immune system. Increased blood flow is necessary for fighting infections, healing damaged tissues and fighting inflammation.
Cancer patients may use massage therapy as an effective treatment for their cancer. Research has indicated that massage can be effective in the control and treatment of chemotherapy. Specifically, it has been found to reduce pain and stress during the chemotherapy process. Additionally, it has been found to increase overall survival rates for cancer patients. Although there is still much more research to be done in this area, massage has been proven to be an effective treatment for various types of cancer, and may be just as effective in preventing cancer in the first place.
There is still much more work to be done in this exciting field. For example, there are only a few studies directly relating to massage therapy to the lymphatic system and its connection to cancer. Other areas of investigation include the impact of massage on the circulatory system, the effect of massage on the immune system, the effect on pain and sleep, and the effects on depression and anxiety. More research is definitely needed in this field, but massage therapy appears to be an extremely promising area of study.