Massage and WW1

With Remembrance Day this weekend we take a moment to remember those who have fought for our country, our rights and those who are still fighting.  We remember and reflect upon their sacrifices, that have allowed us the freedoms we enjoy today.
An article done for the CBC below talks about some of the health care and Orpinton Hospital that set up on of the first occupational therapy programs.  As a part of that program modalities such as hydrotherapy and massage therapy were used to help rehabilitate and treat the wounded soldiers. 
Remembrance Day was first recognized in 1914, it is also the year that the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario was created to regulate and govern the practice of massage therapy.

Orpington Hospital

Canada's contribution to the First and Second World Wars is recognized and remembered all over the United Kingdom, especially around Nov. 11. Among the ceremonies in 2009 was the unveiling of a historic mural at a hospital in Orpington, Kent.
The mural commemorates a once-famous hospital that was paid for by the people of Ontario.
In 1915, the Ontario government donated $2 million to build a treatment centre for soldiers wounded on the battlefields of France. It was a huge amount of money for the time, and the hospital became one of the most up-to-date in the world.
Fully staffed by Canadian doctors and nurses, the Ontario Military Hospital treated more than 25,000 badly injured soldiers between 1916 and 1919. The majority of patients were Canadian, but the hospital also saved the lives of soldiers from Britain, Newfoundland (then a British colony), Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to state-of-the-art treatment, just 182 patients died — less than one per cent of those admitted to the facility. Those who didn't make it are buried in what's know as "Canadian Corner," a graveyard in nearby All Saints Church.
One of the Canadian doctors who worked at the hospital was Thomas McCrae, brother of John McCrae who wrote the poem In Flanders Fields. Forced to deal with soldiers suffering from horrific facial injuries, Thomas McCrae was an early pioneer of plastic surgery in the Ontario Military Hospital.
The hospital also set up one of the first occupational therapy programs for shell-shocked survivors of trench warfare.
The hospital, renamed the 16th Canadian General Hospital during the war, was torn down in the 1960s. It has been replaced by the modern Orpington General Hospital which now boasts a Canada Wing, as well as Ontario, Quebec and Mackenzie King wards.
Hospital officials hope the new historic mural will be a constant reminder of Canadians' sacrifice and life-saving service.
— Ann MacMillan, CBC News
from:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2008/11/07/f-remembrance-day.html

Ever wondered how Massage was used during the First World War? 
A short video on the history of massage please click here

Patients and staff in the Massage Operating Room at No 3 Australian Army Auxiliary Hospital. Dartford, England, 1918. Australian War Memorial Negative Number H03903. From: http://www.defence.gov.au/health/infocentre/journals/ADFHJ_Jun08/ADFHealth_9_1_43-46.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel

Lest we forget

Stressed???

Here is a quick little quiz to check your level of stress.

Give yourself one point for each yes answer.

• Do you constantly feel exhausted?
• Have you had problems with insomnia?
• Do you get occasional or frequent headaches?
• Do you hate it when your plans change?
• Do you get upset having to wait in a line?
• Have you had a cold in the past 6 months?
• Do you find it hard to say “no”?
• Does your life feel out of control?
• Have you lost a job, moved, broken up or had any other big changes in the last year?
• Do you never have time to daydream?
• Do you hate the shape of your body, but can’t seem to do anything about it?
• Has it been more than a year since your last vacation or massage?

The closer your score is to 12, the higher your stress level. If you rate 6 or more, it’s time to start managing your stress better.

What is stress?

Stress is defined differently by everyone.  A common ground is the body's reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response.  Stress includes the usual physiological activity required to maintain homeostasis and the healthy emotional stress that makes life interesting and exciting.  Distress is the term used to denote harmful aspects of physical and emotional stress.  Through the common use of the term stress it is now  linked to the negative aspects of this state. 

Stress can affect everyone differently.  It can show up in physical and/or emotional symptoms.

There are also a variety of triggers that differ from person to person, what may stress one person out may have no effect on another. 

There are several different ways in which people deal with stress and it is an individual choice.  Some techniques include exercise, yoga, breathing, walking, talking to friends, write a journal, listen to music, take a long bath and many more.  One of the more common ways people deal with stress is by getting regular massages to promote relaxation.

How does Massage help reduce stress

Massage is been shown to be very beneficial  to alleviate the symptoms of stress.  The rhythmic movement and flow of a massage allows the body to relax.  "Massage has been found to reduce the levels of cortisol in the body and to decrease the person's perceived stress and anxiety levels.  It increases the person's  awareness of tense areas in the body which enables the person to develop more relaxed posture and better breathing." (Rattray &Ludwig, 2000) Clinical Massage Therapy  Elora, Talus

 

Massage and Arthritis

I was asked this week if Massage Therapy can help arthritis.  The answer is yes.
Massage therapy cannot cure or stop the progression of any of these arthritic conditions, but massage can most assuredly ease the symptoms associated with inflammation, and help improve the quality of life of someone affected by arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

 There are over 100 different types of arthritis.  We  will look at the most common 2, Osteoarthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

1. Osteoarthritis - is inflammation of joints brought on by general wear and tear causing damage to the cartilage.  It presents as stiff, painful and occasionally visible swelling of the affected joints.  Most common in  the knees, hips and fingers.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis - is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the synovial membranes of the joints.  It usually affects the body symmetrically.  It presents as red,swollen, painful and hot joints.  The affected joints often become gnarled and distorted.

The benefits of massage include:

• increase in circulation and reduce swelling
• increase in flexibility and mobility
• decrease in pain 
• relief of muscle aches and stiffness
• a sense of overall relaxation and wellness 
• improve sleep and immune function
• increases the body's production of natural pain-killing endorphins

MASSAGE IS CONTRAINDICATED WHEN SYMPTOMS ARE ACUTE!!!

Massage will not reduce inflammation or damage to the joint.  
There are always risks involved when starting new treatments, always check with you rheumatologist or doctor.

MASSAGE WILL NOT CURE YOUR ARTHRITIS BUT MAY HELP PROVIDE PAIN RELIEF, IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY AND REDUCE MUSCLE TENSION.

General treatment for arthritis starts with rhythmic techniques and Swedish techniques are used to reduce hypertonicity in the affected muscles.  Fascial techniques are use to reduce tissue contratures if present.  Heat may be used with chronic conditions to control pain and spasms.  Cold applications (cold compresses, ice, biofreeze, etc.) may be used to affected joints during flare ups. 

So if you suffer from Arthritis why not try massage?  Be sure to select and Registered Massage Therapist and discuss your conditions and concerns with them. 

A Good Night's Sleep

Wish you could sleep like a baby?

Massage and Sleep

What are sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are a collection of problems including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disruption that make it difficult to get enough sleep, or to wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

How to recognize a sleep disorder?

The primary symptom of sleep disorders is excessive daytime sleepiness.  If this continues for a prolonged period, a weakened immune system, memory and concentration loss, and an increased risk of automotive or on-the-job accidents may occur.

How massage helps

Sleep disorders indicate massage.  Bodywork may not correct a mechanical or psychological dysfunction that leads to sleep deprivation, but it can improve the quality of sleep and can reduce the mental and physical stresses that may interfere with sleep.
Anyone who experiences restless nights and persistent daytime sleepiness appreciates the opportunity to "tune out" while they receive bodywork.  Some studies indicate that massage increases the time spent in Stage 3 or 4 restorative sleep, which decreases pain sensations and speeds healing.  Massage can improve the quality of sleep for insomniac clients, and although it does not reverse sleep apnea, a massage therapist may be the first person to bring the habit of not breathing and then gasping to a client's attention.

Taken from: Werner, Ruth, A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology.  Baltimore, MD. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005

Visit our website www.gbmt.ca

The following article was posted in Massage Magazine. 

Research Shows How Massage Reduces Inflammation and Promotes Growth of Mitochondria in Skeletal Muscle

posted:2/7/2012

New research indicates something athletes and sports massage therapists know well: Massage therapy reduces inflammation following strenuous exercise.
On the cellular level massage reduces inflammation and promotes the growth of new mitochondria in skeletal muscle, according to the research conducted by scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.
The study involved the genetic analysis of muscle biopsies taken from the quadriceps of eleven young males after they had exercised to exhaustion on a stationary bicycle, according to a university press release. One of their legs was randomly chosen to be massaged. Biopsies were taken from both legs prior to the exercise, immediately after 10 minutes of massage treatment and after a two-and-half-hour period of

recovery.
"Our research showed that massage dampened the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the muscle cells and promoted biogenesis of mitochondria, which are the energy-producing units in the cells," said Buck Institute faculty Simon Melov, PhD, who was responsible for the genetic analysis of the tissue samples.
He added that the pain reduction associated with massage may involve the same mechanism as those targeted by conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.
"There's general agreement that massage feels good, now we have a scientific basis for the experience," said Melov.
The research appeared in the Feb. 1 online edition of Science Translational Medicine.

How to ICE....

Have you ever been told to put ice on an injury then have someone else say to put heat on it?  It gets very confusing to remember which to use and when.  So I thought I might offer a refresher for those who can't quite remember and a quick lesson for the rest.

RICE for your injuries

It’s easy to pull a muscle or sprain a joint.  These kinds of injuries may result from simply  overdoing everyday activities like gardening or shoveling snow or they can be caused by an accident, like a fall.  Use the RICE formula immediately after hurting yourself.  You’ll dramatically reduce the time it takes for your injury to heal and get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.

REST.  The simplest and most effective thing you can do is rest.  Many people try to “work through” the injury in the hopes that it will go away or work itself out.  Injuries don’t spontaneously disappear.  In fact, the excessive movement may damage the tissue further, increasing the amount of inflammation and pain. 

Unless the injury is severe, absolute rest should not exceed 48 hours.  Otherwise, your muscles will become stiff and weal, and scar tissue around the injury will tighten up.  So as soon as the initial pain and swelling subside, you should begin to gently exercise the injured area.

ICE.  Apply ice immediately.  The importance of icing your injury cannot be emphasized enough.  Ice is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.  It slows down blood flow to the area and reduces internal bleeding and swelling.  Depending on the type of injury, your healing time may be cut in half.

Simply place ice cubes in a plastic bag.  You can also use commercial gel packs that you keep in your freezer or a bag of frozen vegetables. (Peas seem to work well)  You may find that these mold better to your body.  Wrap whatever you’re using in a towel or cloth and apply it to the injured area.  Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes and then allow your skin to warm up.  As a general rule, don’t leave ice on for more than 20 minutes because you may cause frostbite.  Ice the injury as frequently as possible, preferably at least once every waking hour.

COMPRESSION AND ELEVATION.  Compression and elevation help reduce swelling.  You can apply compression to the area with an elastic type bandage.  Be careful not to tie the bandage so tightly that you cut off your circulation.  If one of your arms or legs is injured, you can elevate the extremity above the heart level.

HEAT can hurt

When your body’s hurting it feels comforting to put a hot water bottle or a heating pad on the sore area.  But it may not always be a great idea.  Heat can aggravate your  injuries and prolong your pain,  When should you use heat and when should you use ice?  If you’re ever in doubt use ice, but here are some guidelines:

Use Ice if::

* Your injury is recent (within 48 hours following the injury)

* Your muscles are in spasm

Why Ice?

Ice will reduce inflammation and decrease the time it takes for your injury to heal.  It also has an anaesthetic effect that will lessen your pain and relax muscle spasms.

Use Heat if:

* Your injury is chronic (more than 48 hours old)

* Your muscles are tense

* You have pain that’s the result of trigger points or muscle knots

Why Heat?

In either of these cases, there is no danger of aggravating the inflammation.  The heat will relax your muscles and help improve your circulation.

Hope this helps.  There is more in this month's edition of "the Massage Message"  Sign up below to receive our newsletter.

News

Research Shows How Massage Reduces Inflammation and Promotes Growth of Mitochondria in Skeletal Muscle

Below is another article that is from Massagemag.com

Research Shows How Massage Reduces Inflammation and Promotes Growth of Mitochondria in Skeletal Muscle


New research indicates something athletes and sports massage therapists know well: Massage therapy reduces inflammation following strenuous exercise.
On the cellular level massage reduces inflammation and promotes the growth of new mitochondria in skeletal muscle, according to the research conducted by scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.
The study involved the genetic analysis of muscle biopsies taken from the quadriceps of eleven young males after they had exercised to exhaustion on a stationary bicycle, according to a university press release. One of their legs was randomly chosen to be massaged. Biopsies were taken from both legs prior to the exercise, immediately after 10 minutes of massage treatment and after a two-and-half-hour period of

recovery.
"Our research showed that massage dampened the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the muscle cells and promoted biogenesis of mitochondria, which are the energy-producing units in the cells," said Buck Institute faculty Simon Melov, PhD, who was responsible for the genetic analysis of the tissue samples.
He added that the pain reduction associated with massage may involve the same mechanism as those targeted by conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.
"There's general agreement that massage feels good, now we have a scientific basis for the experience," said Melov.
The research appeared in the Feb. 1 online edition of Science Translational Medicine.