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Migraine headaches are reduced by massage therapy

 Conclusion

The massage therapy subjects reported fewer distress symptoms, less pain, more headache free days, fewer sleep disturbances, and they showed an increase in serotonin levels.

Hernandez-Reif, M., Dieter J., Field, T., Swerdlow, B., & Diego, M. (1998). Migraine headaches are reduced by massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 96, 1-11.

 

Massage therapy for infants of depressed mothers

Conclusion:
The infants who experienced massage therapy compared to infants in the rocking control group spent more time in active alert and active awake states, cried less, and had lower cortisol levels, suggesting lower stress. Over the 6-week period, the massage-therapy infants gained more weight, showed greater improvement on emotionality, sociability, and soothability temperament dimensions, and had greater decreases in stress neurotransmitters/hormones (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol). 

Field, T., Grizzle, N., Scafidi, F. Abrams, S., Richardson, S., Kuhn, C., & Schanberg, S. (1996). Massage therapy for infants of depressed mothers. Infant Behavior and Development, 19, 107-112.

Massage Therapy benefits depressed pregnant women while reducing risk of premature birth and low birth weight.

Results:

The massage therapy group women versus the control group women not only had reduced depression by the end of the therapy period, but they also had reduced depression and cortisol levels during the postpartum period. Their newborns were also less likely to be born prematurely and low birthweight, and they had lower cortisol levels and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales. 

Source: Infant Behavior and Development, Volume 32, Issue 4, December 2009, Pages 454-460. Tiffany Field, Miguel Diego, Maria Hernandez-Reif, Osvelia Deeds and Barbara Figueiredo

Massage Therapy benefits depressed pregnant women while reducing risk of premature birth and low birth weight

Results:
The massage therapy group women versus the control group women not only had reduced depression by the end of the therapy period, but they also had reduced depression and cortisol levels during the postpartum period. Their newborns were also less likely to be born prematurely and low birthweight, and they had lower cortisol levels and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales.

Source: Infant Behavior and Development, Volume 32, Issue 4, December 2009, Pages 454-460. Tiffany Field, Miguel Diego, Maria Hernandez-Reif, Osvelia Deeds and Barbara Figueiredo

Massage with kinesthetic stimulation improves weight gain in preterm infants

Conclusion:
Massage with KS is a relatively simple and inexpensive intervention that can improve weight gain in selected preterm infants.

Source: Journal of Perinatology (2009) 29, 352–357; doi:10.1038/jp.2008.230; published online 15 January 2009. A N Massaro1,2, T A Hammad3, B Jazzo2 and H Aly1,2.

Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy

Conclusion:
By the end of the study, the massage therapy group, as compared to the relaxation group, reported less pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance.

Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., & Fraser, M. (2007). Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy, 11, 141-145.

Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy

Conclusion:
By the end of the study, the massage therapy group, as compared to the relaxation group, reported less pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance.

 Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., & Fraser, M. (2007). Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy, 11, 141-145.

Infants are Calmer when Massaged with Oil

 Conclusion:

Infants who receive massage with oil show fewer stress behaviors, have lower cortisol levels and are more relaxed than infants massage without oil, according to a research study.

Source: Touch Research Institute, Research originally published in the Pre- and Perinatal Pyschology Journal, 1996, Winter 11(2).

High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy

 Results:
Sitting diastolic blood pressure decreased after the first and last massage therapy sessions and reclining diastolic blood pressure decreased from the first to the last day of the study. Although both groups reported less anxiety, only the massage therapy group reported less depression and hostility and showed decreased cortisol.

Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J. & Theakston, H.(2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31-38.

High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy

Results:
Sitting diastolic blood pressure decreased after the first and last massage therapy sessions and reclining diastolic blood pressure decreased from the first to the last day of the study. Although both groups reported less anxiety, only the massage therapy group reported less depression and hostility and showed decreased cortisol.

Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J. & Theakston, H.(2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31-38.

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