What Conditions May be Helped by Therapeutic Massage?

      An increasing number of research studies show massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins (enhancing medical treatment). Although therapeutic massage does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It also can hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury.

     People with the following conditions have reported that therapeutic massage has lessened or relieved many of their symptoms. 

Arthritis*1          
Asthma2          
Carpal tunnel syndrome3          
Chronic and acute pain4          
Circulatory problems5 
Gastrointestinal disorders (including spastic colon, colic and constipation)6          
Headache7          
Immune function disorders8
Insomnia9         
Myofascial pain10           
Premature infants11          
Reduced range of motion12     
Sports injuries (including pulled or strained muscles and ligaments)13         
Stress14         
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction15

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Contraindications
There are some conditions that massage therapy can exacerbate, therefore it is important to discuss any medical conditions with your therapist before your session. The following are some examples of disorders that may be contraindicated for massage therapy.

Certain forms of cancer  . . .  Phlebitis  . . .  Some cardiac problems  . . .  Some skin conditions  . . .  Infectious diseases
 

Sources:
1 Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Seligman, S., Krasnegor, J., Sunshine, W., Rivas-Chacon, R., & Schanberg, S. Jrnl. Ped. Psychology, 1997.
2 Field, T., Henteleff, T., Hernandez-Reif, M, Marting, E., Mavunda, K., Kuhn, C., & Schanberg, S. Jrnl. of Ped., 1997.
3 Sheon R.P., Postgrad Med., 1997.
4 Weintraub, M. American Journal of Pain Management, 1992.
5 Meek, S.S., J. Nurs. Sch., 1993.
6 Klauser, A.G., et.al. Z. Gastroenterol, 1992.
7 Puustjarvi, K., Airaksinen, O., Pontinen, P.J. Acupunct. Electrother. Res., 1990.
8 Ironson, G., et.al. Intl. Jr. Neurosc., 1996.
9 Richards, KC., Am J Crit Care, 1998.
10 Danneskoild-Samsoe, B., et.al. Scand J Rehab Med., 1982.
11 Scafidi, F.A., Field, T., Schanberg, S.M. J. Dev. Behav. Pediatr., 1993.
12 Crosman, J.L., et.al. Jr. Orthop. & Sports Phys. Th., 1984.
13 Goats, G.C. Br. J. Sports Med., 1994.
14 Field, T., Ironson, G., Scafidi, F., Nawrocki, T., Goncalves, A., Burman, I., Pickens, J., Fox, N., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. Intl. Jrnl. of Neurosc. ,1996.
15 Blood, S.D. Jrnl. of Am. Osteop. Assoc., 1986. Canadian Lifeline Massage Therapy Clinic