1. Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of arthritis. It’s a chronic condition that affects more than 30 million Americans. Most people over 60 have some degree of this, which wears down the cartilage on the ends of the bones. The bones most commonly affected are the hands, spine and knee and hip joints. The symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased range of motion.
Studies have shown that weekly 60-minute Swedish massage for pain was both optimal and practical. Patients with osteoarthritis benefit from significant improvements in pain, function, and stiffness.
2. Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects over 29 million Americans! And accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases. A common complication of this is peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage caused by chronically high blood sugar. Symptoms include numbness, loss of sensation, pain in the feet, legs, or hands, and impaired balance.
Studies have reported that patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in their feet can significantly benefit from foot massage. Reported results indicated that applications of plantar massage improved balance and functional mobility and should be added to rehabilitation exercise programs of Type 2 diabetes patients.
3. Alzheimer’s Disease
Affecting mental cognitive tasks such as thinking, memory and communicating, some symptoms of this disease are: Trouble focusing, difficulty performing ordinary activities, feeling confused or frustrated, dramatic mood swings, feeling disoriented, physical problems such as poor coordination, and trouble communicating.
Studies have shown that soft, tactile hand massage improves physical relaxation, significantly decreased aggressiveness, reduced stress levels and increased psychological well-being among patients.
4. Cancer
Cancer continuously brings with it, pain, anxiety, and depression. In these areas, numerous research reviews and clinical studies suggest that massage therapy can help reduce discomfort, promote relaxation, and boost mood. It can help reduce the effects of chemotherapy, such as nerve damage, fatigue, and anxiety.
5. Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are emotional disturbances consisting of prolonged periods of excessive sadness or excessive elation, or both, that significantly impairs ones capacity to function. This can be a disease onto itself, or a symptom of other pathologies, such as cancer of Alzheimer’s disease.
There are often overlaps in treatments of these conditions due to the similarities. Research suggests and clients report that massage therapy can reduce pain and improve quality of life. Although massage doesn’t eliminate stress, it often helps us cope with it better and significantly alleviates depressive symptoms.
Comentarios