How about trying this simple and non-invasive method of pain relief. A foot and hand massage can make you feel better in minutes.
Massage as a Luxury?
You might think of a massage as a luxury only for the rich who frequent spas and upscale health centres. However, for quite a few people, massage is actually a way to manage and deal with their pain. In a survey by The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, pain was reported as the most common reason people utilized alternative forms of heath care, including massage.
Foot and Hand Massage: Massage Therapy Research Study
A recent study published in Pain Management Nursing, June, 2004, showed how a 20 minute foot and hand massage helped to significantly reduce pain the day after surgery. The study looked at 18 subjects, 20 years or older, who were recovering from a variety of surgeries including: gastrointestinal, gynecological, urological, head, neck or plastic surgery. The authors of the study demonstrated that foot and hand massage is a very effective and inexpensive way to help people manage pain, even following surgery.
How Does Foot and Hand Massage Decrease Pain?
It is well known that massage can relieve tension in your muscles, and it is frequently utilized as a way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. So how does foot and hand massage decrease pain?
In 1962, Ron Melzack and Patrick Wall proposed the gate control theory of pain in order to explain how pain works. In essence, they suggested that when you rub an area that is hurting, you are simply preventing the pain message to be sent to the brain. The pain is "gated," so to speak, by a more pleasant experience of massage. Massage acts like an analgesic and inhibits those pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. It is also thought that massage helps the body to release naturally produced chemicals or painkillers such as opioids or endorphins.
So the next time you, or someone you know is in pain, try a hand or foot massage and see what happens.
The copyright of the article Foot and Hand Massage in Massage Therapy is owned by Sylvia Carlson. Permission to republish Foot and Hand Massage in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
May 27, 2006 10:05 AM
Dr. James Joseph Lehman :
Always enjoy your articles. It has been my personal experience that deep massage and stretching benefits runners with plantar fasciitis. What is your opinion?
James J. Lehman, DC chiropractichealth.suite101.com
May 27, 2006 1:13 PM
Sylvia Carlson :
Hi James. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
As you know, plantar fasciitis is a very common foot ailment. For those who don't know, it affects athletes as well as people who are always on their feet. It typically manifests as heel pain but can affect the whole sole of the foot. It is inflammation of the plantar fascia (a band of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles on the bottom of the foot).
I completely agree with you, that for the milder forms of plantar fasciitis, massage therapy can be very effective, particularly through deep massage. For runners, stretching the calf or lower leg muscles, is one of the best forms of treatment as their calf muscles are tight and shortened.
For home care, icing, particularly after activities or a recent injury, is also helpful.
Are there any chiropractic treatments that help with plantar fasciitis?
May 30, 2006 4:40 AM
Dr. James Joseph Lehman :
Actually, biomechanical problems in the foot, ankle, and pelvis are problematic for athletes and those who stand for most of the day. Consequently, the plantar fascia becomes strained and myofascial trigger points develop. Of course, massage and myofascial treatments, which might be provided by chiropractors are beneficial. It has been my experience that spinal and extremity adjustments or manipulation are extremely helpful. I will write a future article regarding our chiropractic approach to treatment of plantar fasciitis. Thank you for asking...
May 30, 2006 12:38 PM
Sylvia Carlson :
Always interested in knowing more ways to relieve problems, so thanks for the information. Can you talk more about "biomechanical problems" ...
Sep 19, 2006 9:46 AM
Lori Henry :
I spend a lot of the time at the computer typing and in my notebooks jotting down notes. I have been noticing that my wrists and forearms are getting sore and I sometimes feel pain.
Do you suggest getting a hand massage? Is there anyhting I can do in the meantime to alleviate the discomfort/pain?
Sep 19, 2006 2:55 PM
Sylvia Carlson :
Lori,
There are a few things that you can do to help alleviate the pain and discomfort. First of all, have you checked this out with your doctor to ensure it's not something more serious like carpel tunnel syndrome?
I would make sure that you have good wrist and forearm support while typing or writing. Your wrist should always be supported. There are mousepads that have special wrist supports and there are keyboard pads as well. You can even roll a small towel and place it under your wrists.
Whenever you take a break, try a few <a href=http://www.tropsoft.com/ergotimer/stretch.htm> stretches </a>
A hand/arm massage is a great way to release the tension in your arm and hand. You can get one done at a spa or at a massage clinic, or you can give yourself one.
When you take a break, you can squeeze the muscles in your forearms a few times and shake your hands out by turning your palms face up and then down in quick little movements.
Hand massage actually feels really good and considering the work you do, you might want to consider trying one.
If the pain has been an issue for some time, you might want to get it checked out by your family doctor. It's hard for me to know where the pain is coming from without actually doing an assessment.
Hope that answers your question.
Sylvia
Sep 20, 2006 11:07 AM
Lori Henry :
Sylvia, thanks for the thorough response- it was great! It funny, I stretch my body daily but forget about my hands, which I use so much for work. Your simple exercices and links to the others were perfect and I'm making sure to take breaks to keep things limber. If my wrists start to get painful, I'll go get them checked out.
Sep 20, 2006 11:59 AM
Sylvia Carlson :
That's great, Lori, and you're not alone - I too have to remind myself to take breaks and stretch my arms and hands. :)
Sylvia
Jan 29, 2007 2:15 PM
Angela England :
I've had great experience with my own plantar fascitis (a chronic occurance becuase of my job coaching gymnastics classes five hours a day five days a week) with combined chiropractic and massage. It's one of the things that led me to consider massage therapy as a career.
I feel that one without the other is only half-treating. :-)
Angela
Jan 29, 2007 6:59 PM
Sylvia Carlson :
I always found that the longer you wait to get treatment following an injury, particularly from overuse, the longer it takes to heal. If we don't counter certain postural strains we typically end up with some kind of physical problem. Fortunately, massage and chiropractic care are both preventative as well as therapeutic.
Sylvia
Jul 11, 2007 5:59 PM
Vanette :
It is only $15 in Los Angeles, CA. The masseuse are from China and are trained with the ancient chinese belief of points on the feet corresponding with areas to the rest of your body. There are many of these foot massage businesses popping up and the best one I've been to so far is called Kortry Skin Care Center. The address is 1788 S. San Gabriel Blvd #101 San Gabriel, CA 91776 626-280-2988 and 626-280-4488
