Thai massage can help with Parkinson’s symptoms

I said in a previous post that scientists are interested in finding out how massage works.  So if we accept that massage reduces muscle pain, that leaves the question, "How does massage reduce muscle pain?". In 1965, Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall outlined a scientific theory about psychological influence on pain perception; the ‘gate control theory’.  According to the gate control theory, pain signals are not free to reach the brain as soon as they are generated at the injured tissues or sites. They need to encounter certain ‘neurological gates’ at the spinal cord level and these gates determine whether the pain signals should reach the brain or not. In other words, pain is perceived when the gate gives way to the pain signals and it is less intense or not at all perceived when the gate closes for the signals to pass through. Cutaneous mechano-receptors are stimulated by touch (massage) and transmit information within large never fibres to the spinal cord.  These impulses block the passage of painful stimuli entering the same spinal segment along small, slowly conducting neurons. This theory gives the explanation for why someone finds relief by rubbing or massaging an injured or a painful area. For example, the pain gate theory explains "how"  a child feels better after mum or dad intuitively rub their knee when they have fallen over. In summary massage produces short term pain relief by being a particularly effective trigger for the pain gate process. References Melzack R, & Wall PD (1965). Pain mechanisms: a new theory. Science (New York, N.Y.), 150 (3699), 971-9  Moayedi M, & Davis KD (2013). Theories of pain: from specificity to gate control. Journal of neurophysiology, 109 (1), 5-12 Jacobs M. (1960) Massage for the relief of pain: anatomical and physiological considerations.  Physical Therapy Review, 40: 93-8 Melzack R, Wall PD. Pain mechanisms: a new theory. Science. 1965 Nov 19;150(3699):971–979. Wells PE, Frampton V, Bowsher D. (1988) Pain: Management and Control in Physiotherapy.  Heinemann Medical.  Chapter 13. Watson J. (1982) Pain mechanisms: a review.  1. Characteristics of the peripheral receptors.  Australian Journal of Physiotherapy.  27:135-43

The bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum lives in the mouth.  However in pregnant women the hormonal changes can cause their gums to bleed, which allows the bacteria to spead through the body.  Fuscobacterium nucleatum can tavel to the uterus where it causes infection in the placenta.  Infection and inflammation in the placenta is responsible for miscarriage and stillbirths say researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Omega-3 fish oils could reduce the rate of preterm babies and miscarriages by up to 30 percent.  Omega-3 oils have anti-inflamatory properties and they block bacteria growth that is associated with 10% to 30% of preterms biths. The oils are already recommended for pregant women, but researches estimate the amount should be higher than the daily recommended dose to protect against infection. I would recommend seeing a nutritionalist before taking higher doeses of any Omega 3 oils. Reference https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/125436  

I am sure it hasn't escaped your attention that there has been a huge increase in the focus on mental health over the last couple of years.  So I wanted to share with you the results and conclusions of the largest study carried out here in the uk to help people with mental health issues. The Get Set To Go program started in 2015 was funded by the national lottery and supported by Sport England.  The study had 3,585 participants, of these 1,000 particpants progess was actively tracked.  This makes it the largest study of its kind to assit people with mental health issues to get physically active. A report by the Mind Charity,  two years into the project concluded that:

• Physical activity plays an important role in building resilience.
• Physical activity plays an important role in mental healty recovery.
• People who are physically active on a regular basis are more likely to experience better wellbeing.

• Reducing the risk of depression by up to 30%.
• Lifting mood.
• Improving self-esteem