Massage Therapy Research Report
Just released, “The Massage Therapy Research Report” examines the research base of massage therapy and describes the practical application of these results. Written by the Director of the world-renowned Touch Research Institutes, each chapter gives a clear and authoritative review of what is reliably known about the effects of touch in various clinical conditions. Such areas include: Pregnant women benefit from massage therapy, massage therapy by parents improves early growth and development, autism symptoms decrease following massage therapy, and more. Read more and order.
Aromatherapy research
Research points to the effectiveness of essential oils in easing the symptoms of depression. In an interview with Newsmax Health, Dr. Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., author of “Cycles of Life, Herbs for Women,” said, “The natural constituents of the oils help bring the brain back into balance and relieve stress and mild depression. Lavender is one of the essential oils noted for staving the effects of depression. Cited is a study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. Researchers described how lavender essential oil could regulate serotonin; the brain messenger chemical often called the “feel good” hormone. Serotonin can be out of balance in people suffering from depression. According to the Behavioral Brain Research journal, another essential oil that is thought to ward off depression because of its invigorating scent is lemon. Read more about other essential oils believed to help relieve depression.
Massage Therapy Has Grown in National Cancer Institute-designated Health Systems
Massage Magazine reports that a new analysis of U.S. cancer centers’ websites indicates that massage, along with acupuncture, consultations about nutrition, and dietary supplements, are the integrative therapies most commonly offered in National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated health systems. The magazine spoke with Johnnette du Rand Kelly, a massage therapist who practices oncology massage, to determine what is behind this trend. Kelly attributed the increase in massage used to help cancer patients research that shows massage reduces pain and anxiety.
Kelly told Massage Magazine that the demand for massage comes from patients who are very receptive to the touch therapies. She believes continued growth in the massage and other integrative therapies at medical centers will come from patients requesting them, situations where patient satisfaction scores can positively influence hospital federal funding and the recognition of hospital administrators that massage not only feels good but does the patient well. Read more