Massage & Bodywork

November/December 2012

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SOMATIC RESEARCH Day 2. Sleep effectiveness was also significantly higher in the massage group participants during all the study period. In addition, the results indicate that the beneficial effects of massage were not mediated by reducing pain because the number of complaints about pain was similar in both the control and massage therapy groups. A study on massage postsurgery for breast cancer found that massage consisting of stroking, squeezing, and stretching techniques to the head, arms, legs, feet, and back reduced anxiety and depression and increased body image, function, and vigor.14 Another studied gentle touch, light massage, and guided imagery, finding it was easy to implement in a busy critical care setting and safely reduced pain and tension in heart surgery patients.15 Postoperative hand and foot massage interventions were effective, low risk, noninvasive, and easily applied strategies for pain management and for promoting psychological well- being.16 A 45-minute gentle Swedish massage each day for three days following abdominal surgery reduced pain and distress more effectively than vibration or usual care alone.17 MOVING FORWARD From the above studies, we can infer the need to integrate comfortable positioning into individualized treatment sessions to assist in recovery from surgery. A variety of techniques and pressure is appropriate for most any area of discomfort as directed by the patient, as long as care is taken to avoid the surgical incision sites. Treatment should be focused on relieving pain and discomfort, enhancing sleep and encouraging rest, decreasing anxiety, and improving mood and self-esteem. We have all experienced how human touch can help alleviate suffering. Add the educated hands of a trained and experienced massage therapist and the benefits are profound. Be the calming and comforting presence and provide skilled touch to those who have just experienced the lifesaving, but invasive and often terrifying, experience of surgery. Notes 1. S.L. Ackerman et al., "Massage for Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Qualitative Report," Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012 (2012): doi: 10.1155/2012/792042. 2. Ibid. 3. A.R. Mitchinson et al., "Acute Postoperative Pain Management Using Massage as an Adjuvant Therapy: A Randomized Trial," Archives of Surgery 142, no. 12 (2007): 1,158–67; H.L. Wang and J.F. Keck, "Foot and Hand Massage as an Intervention for Postoperative Pain," Pain Management Nursing 5, no. 2 (2004): 59–65; M.M. Piotrowski et al., "Massage as Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Acute Postoperative Pain: A Preliminary Study in Men," Journal of the American College of Surgeons 197, no. 6 (2003): 1,037–46. 4. K. Mahr, "Post-Op Rx: Get a Massage," Time, December 18, 2007. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Inpatient Surgery," www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/ insurg.htm, accessed September 2012. 6. S. Kurtz et al., "Projections of Primary and Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in the United States from 2005 to 2030," The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 89, no. 4 (2007): 780–5. 7. R.D. Crowninshield, A.G. Rosenberg, and S.M. Sporer, "Changing Demographics of Patients with Total Joint Replacement," Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 464, no. 2 (2006): 266–72. 8. K. Mahr, "Post-Op Rx: Get a Massage." 9. P.M. Barnes, B. Bloom, and R. Nahin, "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007," CDC National Health Statistics Report #12, December 10, 2008. 10. Samueli Institute, "Optimal Healing Environments," www.samueliinstitute.org/ authoring/g4/g2/30-IIB.html?layoutType=plain, accessed September 2012. 11. S.L. Ackerman et al., "Massage for Children," doi: 10.1155/2012/792042. 12. L. Dion et al., "Effect of Massage on Pain Management for Thoracic Surgery Patients," International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork 4, no. 2 (2011): 2–6. 13. F.B. Nerbass et al., "Effects of Massage Therapy on Sleep Quality After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery," Clinics (Sao Paulo) 65, no. 11 (2010): 1,105–10. 14. M. Hernadez-Reif et al., "Breast Cancer Patients Have Improved Immune and Neuroendocrine Functions Following Massage Therapy," Journal of Psychosomatic Research 567, no. 1 (2004): 45–52. 15. V.R. Kshettry et al., "Complementary Alternative Medical Therapies for Heart Surgery Patients: Feasibility, Safety, and Impact," The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 81, no. 1 (2006): 201–5. 16. H.L. Wang and J.F. Keck," Foot and Hand Massage," 59–65. J. Hattan, L. King, and P. Griffiths, "The Impact of Foot Massage and Guided Relaxation Following Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial," Journal of Advanced Nursing 37, no. 2 (2002): 199–207. 17. A.G. Taylor et al., "Effects of Adjunctive Swedish Massage and Vibration Therapy on Short- Term Postoperative Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial," Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 9, no. 1 (2003): 77–89. A licensed massage practitioner since 1984, Diana L. Thompson has created a varied and interesting career out of massage: from specializing in pre- and postsurgical lymph drainage to teaching, writing, consulting, and volunteering. Her consulting includes assisting insurance carriers on integrating massage into insurance plans and educating researchers on massage therapy theory and practice to ensure research projects and protocols are designed to match how we practice. Contact her at soapsage@comcast.net. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 55

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