Benefits of Massage Question
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Posted by Sylvia Carlson Jan 13, 2007 |
EMAIL QUESTION: I just read your short article on Tendonitis and Massage Treatments. At the end, you cited an article that discussed recent studies and deep friction massage. I'm currently in the process of looking for more citations such as that which cite studies about the benefits of massage especially in regards to ankle problems and was wondering if you had any further citations that you could share with me? If so, an email with those would be wonderful!
I'll share briefly why I'm on this quest. I am a firm believer in alternative therapies. The gentleman that I am dating, injured his ankle at work almost a year ago and is still having issues with it. I have suggested several times that he approach his doctor about possible alternative therapies such as physical massage, acupressure, etc. This week he took me to his doctor appointment so that I could help him raise this question. While in the room with a workman's comp insurance lady and the doctor, I listened to the doctor saying that there was nothing showing up on the X-ray but he could feel inflammation in the ankle area so he would prescribe some anti inflammatory medication and wait three weeks before considering some type of exploratory surgery. At that point, I presented the concept that before doing invasive types of treatment like the surgery, would it be possible to try an alternative therapy other than what has already been tried. The insurance lady laughed out loud and the doctor said that he had no objection to it being tried but that there was no muscles in the ankle to have deep tissue massage or anything like that done on and that there is no clinical study evidence of that being beneficial all the while he had a smirk on his face like he was laughing about it to himself.
Personally, I was shocked at the whole experience as I am more used to the physicians’ I deal with actually listening to what I have to say as well as respecting my choice of treatments. This is not a doctor of his choice due to this being a work related issue. I guess my quest is really to try and find information that supports my position that this is a relevant treatment option to consider and really would like to locate some clinical study information that supports that as well. Anything that you could help with would be appreciated.
EMAIL RESPONSE: Thanks for your email. I have not much in the way of citations for you, but I have a few links that will help you in your search. I have utilized massage: reflexology and accupressure for ankle problems with good success. Whenever I have had an injury to an area, I utilize massage or reflexology or accupressure because it improves circulation to the area so that all the nutrients can go to the area of injury and help to heal it faster. It also helps to reduce inflammation, and when there is no inflammation, there is no pain. That's the bottom line. There are muscle attachments in the ankle and this is where deep friction massage works best where there are muscle attachments, not necessarily muscle bellies.
I too have heard the sneering and laughter from doctors and insurance people. Years ago, I had one insurance person wanting to discontinue massage for a client because all it was doing was "making her feel better". And I replied: Isn't that the point? Needless to say, therapy continued.
Your boyfriend will have to find what works for him, of course, but there are many avenues to try before surgery. I have included a number of links for reference to ankle problems, but also for alternative treatments and some good massage therapy resource sites.
Principles of Orthopedic Massage and their Application to Ankle Sprains
National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Read More ... Massage Benefits
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