In the Summer 2009 online issue of Massage Envy Magazine, author Shelley Flannery lists eight full body benefits you can reap from regular massage sessions. With a reputable massage clinic right in Largo, there is nothing to stop anyone from availing of this in 33771, Indian Rocks Beach or Belleair.Fibromyalgia ReliefAccording to Flannery, the American College of Rheumatology defines fibromyalgia as a chronic condition characterized by muscle pain, fatigue and tenderness. They identify stress and lack of sleep as factors that can bring on or worsen the condition. They also identify massage as a means that has been found to relieve the stress of patients with fibromyalgia, while also easing their muscle pain, spasms and discomfort. The National Fibromyalgia Association has reported that some 40 percent of fibromyalgia patients have used massage in their treatment regimens, and that it has been found to be one of the most effective complementary treatments for the condition.Post-Surgical RecoveryFlannery states that massage helps patients recover from surgery by boosting blood circulation, relaxing their muscles, improving flexibility and enabling better joint movement. She cites the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals’ declaration that massage has been proven to be effective in promoting regeneration of tissues and reducing adhesions and swelling after surgery.Mood ElevationMassage does not only improve your mood but could also help in the treatment of depression and anxiety, according to Flannery. She mentions the findings of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine that massage lowers the cortisol levels in the body by as much as 53 percent while increasing serotonin and dopamine. Cortisol is considered a stress hormone serotonin and dopamine are considered “feel-good” hormones.Headache HelpFlannery cites data from the National Headache Foundation saying that some 28 million people in the US are migraine sufferers. She says that stress and poor sleep trigger or worsen migraines. She then refers to the findings of a study published by the Annals of Behavioral Medicine saying that migraine sufferers experienced better sleep quality and had fewer episodes of pain after receiving massage therapy. The beneficial effects reportedly lasted even until three weeks after the massage sessions had stopped.Reducing Blood PressureSome 72 million Americans are hypertensive, according to Flannery, and this can progress to strokes or heart attacks. She cites the findings of a study published in the Biological Research for Nursing journal stating that ten minute back massages are better than plain relaxation in lowering the blood pressure of patients.Improving FlexibilityFlannery points out that massage stimulates the body to produce and retain the natural lubrication needed between the fibers of connective tissues, while working on those connective tissues, muscles, ligaments and tendons. This improves the body’s flexibility and increases range of motion.Back Pain ReliefFlannery says the findings of a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine show that massage reduces the use of pain killers for back pain by as much as 36 percent.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ImprovementFlannery says the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms as burning, tingling or numbness in the thumb, middle fingers and palm. She cites findings of a study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement saying that regular massage lessened the pain and other symptoms of patients and improved the strength of their grip.There are a variety of massage modalities to benefit from, among them deep tissue massage and sports massage. Your professionally trained massage therapist can advise you on the most appropriate massage modality for your needs if you go to the right massage clinic in Largo 33771, Indian Rocks Beach or Belleair.

A study has shown that acupressure massage can significantly improve dyspnoea or shortness of breath among patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This should be of great significance to families of patients with such a condition. They could seek the help of professional massage therapists from massage clinics in Largo 33771, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.The word dyspnoea is Latin and is rooted in the Greek words dyspnoia and dyspnoos, all meaning shortness of breath. The American Thoracic Society defines dyspnoea as a “subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity. The experience derives from interactions among multiple physiological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and may induce secondary physiological and behavioral responses.”Members of the staff of four health institutions – the Jen Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, in Miaoli, Taiwan; the Institute of Chinese Medical Science at Chinese Medical College, in Taichung, Taiwan; and the Institute of Health and Welfare Policy and the Institute of Clinical Nursing at National Yang-Ming Univiersity, in Taipei, Taiwan – conducted the study entitled “Effectiveness of acupressure in improving dyspnoea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” There were a total of 44 participants in the study, all of them suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Majority of the participants were male and the average age was 73. The participants were assigned randomly to one of two groups. The first group was the true acupressure massage group while the second group was the sham acupressure massage group. They were given five acupressure massage sessions a week for four weeks. Each of the 20 sessions lasted for 16 minutes.The true acupressure massage group received acupressure massage treatment in points corresponding to their specific complaint. These points were the Lung Transport (B13), Celestial Chimney (CV22), Great Hammer (GV14), Kidney Transport (B23) and Fish Border (L10).The sham acupressure massage group received acupressure massage treatment in points corresponding to the encouragement of better intestinal movement. These points were the Large Pile (Liv1), Shang Hill (Sp5) and Supreme White (Sp3).Participants were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. They were given a six minute walking distance test to evaluate how much they can tolerate activity. Their dyspnoea, fatigue and activity were measured with the use of the Dyspnoea Questionnaire-Modified (PFSDQ-M) and the Pulmonary Function Status. The level of their anxiety, on the other hand was measured using the State Anxiety Inventory.Before and after each acupressure massage session, the oxygen saturation of each participant was measured with the use of a pulse oximeter on the finger.Results showed that after the 20 acupressure massage treatments over four weeks, the participants from the true acupressure massage group experienced significantly reduced dyspnoea, significantly improved levels of fatigue, significantly lower levels of anxiety, and better tolerance of activity. After every acupressure massage session, the participants from the true acupressure massage group also showed significantly higher mean scores in oxygen saturation. This is reflective of better pulmonary function.Scores of the participants from the sham acupressure massage group paled in comparison.According to the researchers, “We found significantly greater improvements in patients receiving acupressure at true acupoints compared with those receiving acupressure at sham points. This improvement related to all the variables studied and suggests that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease would benefit from acupressure at true acupoints.”If the patients can tolerate it, they would also benefit from other massage modalities such as deep tissue massage and sports massage given by the same professional massage therapists from massage clinics in Largo 33771, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.

Sports massage does not have to be reserved only for athletes and sports buffs. According to sports massage authority Wrio Russell, it can benefit everyone. Sports massage can, therefore, benefit all residents of Largo 33771, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.Wrio Russell is the founder director of the London School of Sports Massage and a practicing sports massage therapist, as well as a Reiki master teacher.In his article “Sports Massage – A Therapy for All,” Russell points out that sports massage is recognized by athletes around the world and even by the British Olympic Association medical committee but it does not have to be confined only to them. Sports massage could, actually, benefit anyone with problems related to soft tissue, whether these are acute, chronic or post-operative. He says that the techniques of sports massage are “actively and passively physical” and they enable self-motivated patients to participate in their respective treatments, thereby empowering them. Russell identifies the strokes of general massage as effleurage, friction and petrissage.He describes effleurage as the primary technique used for diagnosis and treatment in massage. The palms, fingers or even the arm is used in effleurage to make deep or superficial sweeping and probing strokes either lengthwise along muscles in the direction of the heart or in transverse across muscle fibers.Russell describes friction as a technique using the thumbs or the fingertips to apply deep pressure across muscles fibers where there is adhesion or the formation of scar tissue. The technique can be painful and the pain may be lessened with deep breathing by the patient.Petrissage, on the other hand, is, according to Russell, made up of muscle squeezing, kneading, rocking, shaking and percussion.Russell also mentions the neuromuscular technique or NMT which he says is quite similar to acupressure. This is what he refers to as a passive technique. According to Russell, NMT is used in conjunction with general massage. The area of the body with muscular tension is prepared with general massage. Deep yet subtle pressure is then applied for a maximum of 90 seconds on painful spots. This is followed by stretching. A series of such treatments will produce long term relief.Among the active techniques referred to by Russell are soft tissue release or STR, the muscle energy technique or MET and strain counter strain or SCS. Soft tissue release, according to Russell, was partly developed from traditional Thai massage and involves a combination of pressure and stretching. It is an effective method to break down soft tissue adhesions. The target muscle is first shortened and relaxed by the therapist by moving the appropriate joint. The palm, thumb or fist is then used to put deep pressure on the muscle adhesion while the therapist’s other hand is used to move the joint again so that the muscle fibers are stretched and the adhesion is pried apart. The stretching has to be done gently and subtly so as to avoid injury.Russell documents several cases wherein sports massage was used to relieve the pain of patients with neck and shoulder pain, whiplash, thoracic kyphosis, frozen shoulder and knee injury.In fact, he himself had benefited from sports massage therapy. Russell says he became seriously ill in 1999 and had to undergo surgery. After the operation, though, his back and left shoulder were “almost in a state of rigor mortis.” His sports massage therapist applied soft tissue release regularly for six months and he was restored to normal.Now that you know of the many benefits of sports massage, you could ask for it as an alternative to other massage therapies, such as deep tissue massage therapy, from your favorite professional massage clinic in Largo 33771, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.