Healthy Tips For A Better
Life
A Massage a Day
The search for safe and effective relief from osteoarthritis (OA), a
condition that occurs when joint cartilage wears down over time, can
feel like an uphill battle. Vioxx, the drug once widely touted as the
answer to OA pain relief, was pulled from the market after studies
showed a drastic increase in heart attack and stroke risk among people
using it. Many of the 20 million Americans suffering from OA, were left
looking for alternatives--only to learn in a study published by the
Arthritis Research Council (ARC) earlier this year that almost all of
the natural OA remedies are ineffective.
It may sound like enough to make you lose hope, but there is in fact a
silver lining: Certain natural remedies can bring
lasting relief from OA according to the ARC study and other experts.
The answer is...
one massage, and call me in the morning. Spa-lovers with osteoarthritis
will be pleased to learn that all those massages that leave you feeling
loose and limber are doing more than just helping you relax. According
to a 2006 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Swedish
massage improves flexibility, decreases pain, and increases range of
motion in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee. In the study, 68
participants ages 35 and over with osteoarthritis of the knee were
randomly assigned either to receive massage therapy immediately or to
receive massage after an eight-week delay. Members of the first group
received a one-hour Swedish massage twice a week for four weeks, and
then once a week for the next four weeks. After eight weeks of massage,
patients' pain, stiffness, and functional ability were all significantly
improved compared to the group that did not receive massage. What's
more, even when reassessed eight weeks after finishing massage
intervention, the benefits persisted, though to a somewhat lesser
degree.
Looking for more natural remedies to fight inflammation? Be sure to
check out our suggestions,
here.
Americans discussing merits of massage with physicians
Evanston, IL – October 26, 2009 –Results from the 13th annual consumer
survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®)
indicate that 32 percent of Americans are seeking massage for medical and
health reasons, tying relaxation and stress reduction for the first time as
the top reasons people get massages. Click
here for more information on AMTA's 2009 consumer survey.
Additionally, 25 percent of Americans ages 35-44 have talked to their doctor
or healthcare provider about massage therapy this year, compared to 14
percent in 2008. Of those who discussed massage therapy with their doctors,
52 percent say their doctor strongly recommended/encouraged them to get a
massage. These survey results are announced in conjunction with National
Massage Therapy Awareness Week®, October 25-31.
A vast majority of Americans, 86 percent, agree that massage can be
effective in reducing pain, and 85 percent agree that massage can be
beneficial for health and wellness.
“Even with the ongoing economic crisis, people are not willing to compromise
their health,” says Judy Stahl, AMTA president. “It’s a clear signal of
massage’s value when those making less than $35,000 a year are the second
most active income bracket getting massage therapy.”
Stressed Americans Still Seeking Massage for Relaxation
For the second year in a row, the survey results showed that massage therapy
use is fairly steady, despite the lagging economy. Thirty-two percent of
stressed out Americans are getting massages to relieve their stress and 57
percent of Americans say they feel more stressed this year than last year,
particularly among females (61 percent) and those ages 18-24 (66 percent).
“Consumers understand that massage therapy is essential to a healthy balance
between stress and relaxation,” said Stahl. “We are pleased to see that
consumers are prioritizing massage to help them through these difficult
times.”
About AMTA
The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) is a professional
association of approximately 58,000 members. AMTA professional members have
demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing
and must meet continuing education requirements to retain membership. AMTA
provides information about massage therapy to the public and works to
improve the professional climate for massage therapists. The association
also helps consumers and healthcare professionals locate qualified massage
therapists nationwide, through AMTA’s Find a Massage Therapist® free
national locator service available at www.findamassagetherapist.org or
toll-free at 888-843-2682 [888-THE-AMTA].
Patrick
Swayze's death following chemotherapy reminds us yet again how deadly
conventional cancer treatments can be.
Today,
I ask the question: Could Patrick Swayze's life have been saved through
natural anti-cancer remedies? Find the answer here:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027030_cancer_chemotherapy_Patrick_Swayze.html
Contributing
author Tony Isaacs explains more today in a timely piece about why chemotherapy
spreads cancer:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027028_cancer_health_cancer_cells.html
The
Biggest Killer of the West: Learn the Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Heart disease or coronary
artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries which supply the heart with
oxygen become hardened. This is also known as the process of atherosclerosis.
This can eventually result in complete blockage of a coronary...
Routine
Consumption of Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes "A Big
Lie"
(NaturalNews) Taking an
aspirin a day appears to increase a person's risk of dangerous gastric
bleeding as much as it decreases their risk of heart attack or stroke,
researchers have found. "We don't have good evidence that, for healthy
people, the...
Postpartum
Massage Can Help Speed Emotional Healing
It is not at all unusual for most new mothers to experience mood disorders
after the birth of their child. The dramatic shift in hormones, the labor
and birth, and general fatigue all contribute to fleeting feelings of
sadness. As many as two-thirds of new mothers worldwide experience
postpartum blues, also known as "baby blues." The onset generally
occurs at about day three and the duration of these transient feelings of
sadness is about a week or two. The blues are characterized by weeping,
insomnia, fatigue, moodiness, and anxiety but is self-limiting. With some
rest, support, sunshine, and compassion, these feelings recede without
lasting effects. Since the blues are short-lived, a nurturing massage can be
profoundly relaxing and help speed up the emotional healing.
Severe emotional symptoms after giving birth such as feelings of guilt,
hopelessness, helplessness, social withdrawal or suicidal thoughts may be an
indicator of postpartum depression and you should talk to your doctor
immediately. For more information on the symptoms of postpartum depression,
read "Postpartum Depression" in Massage Today online: http://massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14013
The
big aspirin lie has been exposed: Taking a daily aspirin to prevent heart
attacks and strokes offers no net benefits to your health thanks
to the increased risk of death from internal bleeding. So why are many
doctors still recommending "an aspirin a day" to patients? Read up
in today's feature article by David Gutierrez:
http://www.naturalnews.com/027023_aspirin_stroke_disease.html
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