Issue link: http://www.bodysensemagazinedigital.com/i/1133761
www.massagetherapy.com—your resource for all things bodywork 9 The Challenge of Diabetes According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 million US adults live with diabetes or prediabetes. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the US, and costs $327 million in medical costs and lost productivity. For more information: www.diabetes.org www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/diabetes.htm to be helpful with hand function, joint motion, and skin compliance (Bongi, Horváth, Poole). HYPERTENSION Multiple systematic research reviews have found that massage, along with antihypertensive drugs, is more effective for managing hypertension than drugs alone (Xiong, Liao). A clinical trial found that blood pressure readings dropped after massage, and remained below baseline for 72 hours or more (Givi). These fi ndings are confi rmed by several other studies and systematic reviews, which conclude that massage therapy can be a helpful part of hypertension treatment, but doesn't replace medication (Walaszek, Liao, Niu, Mohebbi). The type of massage appears to matter in this situation: in one important study, Swedish massage reliably lowered blood pressure, but trigger-point work and sports massage raised blood pressure readings, at least temporarily (Cambron). Diabetes Skilled massage therapy has a number of documented benefi ts to offer people with diabetes. It has been seen to temporarily lower blood glucose, although how long this lasts is unpredictable (Sajedi). Massage alone, or along with exercise, has improved some biomarkers for this disease (Wändell) and improved circulation in the legs (Castro-Sánchez). Foot refl exology and Thai massage have also been shown to improve tissue health (Silva), accurate sensation in the feet (Hasneli), and balance (Chatchawan, Tütün), all of which are critical for those with diabetes. KIDNEY FAILURE, DIALYSIS Only gentle bodywork is appropriate for people living with renal failure, but among these patients, massage may help with fatigue and depression (Raina, Cho). Dialysis patients often seek massage (Ceyhan), and fi nd it helpful for itching, leg cramps, and general quality of life (Shahgholian, Mastnardo, Bullen). FIBROMYALGIA Research supports massage therapy for fi bromyalgia, specifi cally for pain, anxiety, quality of life, and sleep (Castro-Sánchez, Oliveira). The best results were seen with long-term treatments, so this suggests that people with fi bromyalgia should commit to several weeks of regular massage to derive the most benefi t (Kalichman, Li, Yuan). This work was inspired by Ruth Werner's A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, 7 th ed., from Books of Discovery. This review of research is by no means comprehensive; it is just a brief overview of the work that has been done in the relevant contexts. Ruth Werner is author of A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Find more information at www.ruthwerner.com