April 2006 | Vol. 7, No. 4
© 2006 American Massage Therapy Association®
All rights reserved.
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In This Issue |
Hello, e-touch reader!
No matter how fulfilled you are in your daily life, at some point stress will arise. It may be from something in your daily routine, or it could be an unexpected event. No matter what the cause, it helps to have healthy ways to come to terms with stress and its effects. This month's article mentions only two of many types of relaxation available to you.
If you are looking for a qualified massage therapist in your area to help you recover from the stresses in your life, use AMTA's Find a Massage Therapist® national locator service!
Enjoy the issue!
~The Editors
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MIND OVER MATTER
Overcoming Your Stress
No matter who you are or what profession you’re in, everyone at some point has to deal with stress. Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it can motivate peak performance during times of high activity or crisis. But if stress is prolonged or habitual, it can have negative effects on your mind, body, and spirit.
Chronic stress can cause physical problems such as high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, memory or concentration problems and changes in appetite or digestion. Psychological effects of stress can include anxiety or depression, and a reduced sense of pleasure or satisfaction in what you do.
MASSAGE
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Fortunately, there are many practices that can help you overcome stress and relax your mind.
Massage, for example, has been proven to be an extremely effective tool for relieving stress and other related conditions, such as chronic back pain and frequent headaches.
Massage is available in a variety of settings, including independent massage therapists’ offices, spas, health clubs—even shopping malls. It’s easy to find a qualified massage therapist and doesn’t take much time to receive the benefits massage therapy brings to your physical and psychological health.
MINDFULNESS
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Another technique that has helped many deal with stress is meditation. You don’t have to buy special equipment, take classes or sit for hours in a particular pose to enjoy the benefits of meditation. There are many ways to practice meditation, and one of the simplest is a concept called mindfulness.
Mindfulness can be done anywhere, anytime, during any activity—walking, listening to music or even while sipping coffee. The idea is to be really aware of what you are doing when you are doing it, and to let the experience be what it is without expectation of outcome. It is a nonjudgmental way of living in the now.
The next time you find yourself tied in knots from stress, try mindfulness meditation. Listen to your breathing, observing each inhale and exhale. Is it hurried? Jagged? Shallow? Notice your body. Where are you? Where are you feeling tension? Can you release it? Just a few minutes of focused thought and breathing in a day can restore your concentration and refresh your spirit.
Don’t allow yourself to be a victim of stress. Massage and meditation are only two of the many ways you can relieve the effects of stress and find a more peaceful you!
This article is adapted from AMTA’s The Business of Massage (2002) and “Living Well,” by Joann Milivojevic, mtj, Spring 2006. To find a qualified massage therapist go to the AMTA’s Find a Massage Therapist® national locator service.DID YOU KNOW?
Research has consistently shown that massage therapy enhances job performance and reduces stress. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine is dedicated to studying the effects of touch therapy, and has researched the effects of massage therapy at all stages of life. These studies have shown that massage therapy has many positive effects.
In one study researchers found that massaged workers had increased brain waves for alertness and decreased stress hormones in their saliva. Anxiety, depression and job stress levels were lowered after receiving chair massage twice a week for 5 weeks. Another study found massage therapy reduced stress levels even among people in very high-stress professions, such as hospital nursing and physician staff.
Learn more about research into the many benefits of massage! Abstracts of these studies and more are available from the Touch Research Institute.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MASSAGE
In February’s survey of what you’d like to see in future issues of e-touch, many of you said you’d like more information on the different types of massage. The January e-touch talked about the most popular types: Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and chair massage. But did you know the AMTA website offers an expanded list of massage therapy terms? If you’ve ever wondered what “tapotement” is, AMTA makes it easy to find out! Go to AMTA’s Massage Information Center today and find out what you need to know about massage!
CLICK 'N PICK: HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH STRESS?
What's your favorite way to overcome stress? Spend a few moments answering this question at the link below. It’s quick, and it’s easy! See the results in the next issue of e-touch.
Last month's results
Does your company offer
workplace massage?
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Would you like it to?
| No |
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MASSAGE THERAPY Q & A: WHY DID I HAVE TO ANSWER SO MANY QUESTIONS?
Q: I recently went for a massage. I’m on a few prescription medications, and before the massage, the therapist asked me a lot of questions about the medications I’m taking. He even asked how to spell a couple of them. Was all of that really necessary?
A: Your therapist needs to be alert to any physical conditions you may have that could cause problems with getting a massage. It’s possible your medication could mask some symptoms of your condition, or have side effects that the therapist needs to be aware of.
Taking a careful medical history is part of a responsible course of massage therapy. Questions you might expect your therapist to ask you about medication include:
1. How do you spell it?
2. What is it for?
3. Is the medication effective?
4. Do you have any side effects from the medication?
For more information on possible risks that massage therapists have to be aware of, read Robin Weidner’s 2-part article in mtj Winter 2006 and Spring 2006.
TABLE TIPS
For back comfort
If you have low back pain, particularly mild chronic pain in the sacral or sacro iliac areas, one very simple, but surprisingly effective method to relieve it is to keep your feet, either both at once or one at a time slightly elevated on a low footrest whenever you are seated for any length of time, particularly if you work at a desk or computer. You can purchase footrests for this purpose, or even use a couple of thick books or a firm box. This combination with a good lumbar support pillow can make a huge difference in your back comfort.
Margaret Wacks
Lexington, Massachusetts
For a different massage tip each week, visit AMTA’s Massage Room.
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LEGAL NOTICE: Articles submitted by individual authors are copyrighted by those authors and reprinted with their permission. Views expressed in these articles are not necessarily the views of the American Massage Therapy Association®, and should in no way be construed as an endorsement. They are for informational purposes only.
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To serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of
massage therapy.
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