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Massage firm touts benefits of massage for MS patients
Multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers may find relief from their symptoms with massage therapy treatments, a study has found.
A study reported in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal indicated lower pain levels of up to 50 per cent across three months by those participants who received 10 weeks of massage therapy, according to U.S. massage therapy treatment provider Massage Envy Spa. Long known for its stress-busting abilities, massage has a powerful effect on health and overall wellbeing. And because stress may trigger or worsen MS symptoms, it is important for sufferers to find ways to relax.
July 23, 2014 By PR Newswire
An estimated 2.3 million people worldwide live with multiple sclerosis, a
debilitating disease that can often cause severe pain, muscle spasms,
poor circulation, anxiety, stress and clinical depression.
Although
not a substitute for regular MS treatment, massage therapy is an
effective, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that can
alleviate such symptoms and in turn, help to pacify the disease,
according to a statement from Scottsdale, Arizona-based Massage Envy
Spa.
MS develops as a result of interference between the brain,
spinal cord and other areas of the body. Symptoms and treatment vary
widely depending on the amount of nerves that are affected. Massage
therapy is an easy and affordable complement to doctor-prescribed
treatments. Massage therapy may assist MS patients in managing the
stress of their symptoms and to improve their quality of life.
"Massage
therapy is a wellbeing approach for addressing body, mind and spirit.
Along with stress reduction, massage therapy can help to increase
flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness caused by spasticity," said
Eugenia Tzoannopoulos, regional developer for Massage Envy Spas in
various locations.
"Massage therapy is also very effective at
increasing deep sleep, as touch itself has been known to create positive
feelings such as comfort and care. And with more deep sleep, you have
less pain," added Tiffany Field of the University of Miami’s Touch
Research Institute.
Massage Envy Spa was founded in 2002, and has
over 990 franchise locations in 49 U.S. states and over 1.5 million
members. Through its national partnership with the Arthritis Foundation,
Massage Envy Spa has raised more than $2 million in three, one-day
Healing Hands for Arthritis events.
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