fl1admin, Author at Vitality Therapy

Can massage and reflexology help clients with bladder cancer?

Patients who have a cystectomy following bladder cancer may benefit from massage and reflexology to reduce pain and improve wellbieng, according to a pilot. The pilot sevice provided 38 cystectompy patients with one hour of massage, reflexology of a combination the day after they had surgery and this was followed by another one hour treatment two days later. Self-reported concerns, wellbeing and pain were measure before and imediately after each treatment and in the evening of each therapy day. Common concerns among patients included pain at the wound site, anxiety, nausea and bloating. Self-reported concerns, wellbing and pain were significantly reduced after treatments. These results were maintained on the evening of the day one but not on day three. Reference https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388118304316?via%253Dihub=

Is massage safe when you are pregnant?

I know the top priority for pregnant women is to keep the baby safe. With this in mind I want to start by stating there is no evidence that demonstrates

massage can induce labour
massage can cause miscarriages
massage creates complications

It is important to remember women's bodies were designed to become pregnant and nuture a baby to full term. Pregnancy is not an illness. In addition pregnancy can't be made worse by massage. Muscles are still muscles, joints remain joints, nerves stay nerves. The effects of massage on muscles is the same if you are pregnant or not pregant. It is common sense that the masseur ensure that the pregnant women is comfortable normally by lying them on their side and proping them up with cushions. So in short massage is safe for pregnant women.

Reflexology may reduce the intensity of migraines

Migraines affect twice as many women as men and are experienced by one in seven people in the UK. (Migrane Action, 2018). Reflexology could be a beneficial treatment for people who are experiencing migraines a recent study suggest. A randomised control trial was conducted with 75 male subjects who all had a nitrogylcerine induced migraine-type headache. The subjectes were divided into three groups. The first group received 20 mins refleoxlogy while the second group received an ineffective foot massage (a placebo) and the third group no intervention. Three hours after the first treatment the subjects received a second treatment. Data on pain intensity was created before the first treatment and after the second treatment. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of headache intensity in the reflexology group when compared with both other groups after treatments. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30028477

This one if for my fellow women – sorry guys! Part 2

Following on from part 1 on how to treat unirary tract infections naturally here are more tips. Probiotics In a study of postmenopausal women prone to UTIs, a probiotic supplement containting Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobascillus reuteri RC-14 cut the number of recurrences by around 50% over a yea. The "good guy" bacteria were almost as effective as antibiotics and they had the advantage of not leading to drug resistant bacteria which may happen with antibiotics. Probiotics also seem to help prevent UTI when use as vaginal suppositories. Ulva Ursi There is evidence to suggest the herby may reduce the duration of a UTI when one strikes. The German Federal Institue for Drugs and Medical devices approves the herb for treatment of UTIs. In one clinical trial, supplements containing standardized extracts of uva ursi as well as dandelion root taken for 1 month effectively prevented UTIs over the following year. Vitamin C Vitamin C may help prevent and treat UTIs by acidifying the urine, creating a hostile environment for infection - causing bacteria. In a study of preganty women, those given daily supplements including 100mg vitamin C experienced significantly fewer UTIs than women given supplements without vitamin C. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22782199 https://www.southampton.ac.uk/ctu/news/2018/04/20-atafuti-trial-protocol-publication.page https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011393X05802048?via%3Dihub https://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c199 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17611821

Can reflexology reduce the severity of nausea?

Researchers in Iran conducted a randomised control trail to see if reflexology could assist patients undergoing haemodialysis with their nausea. Haemodialysis is a way of replacing some of the functions of your kidney, if your kidneys have failed, by using a machine to filter and clean your blood. 72 patients were assigned to either an intervention group or control group. The control group received a foot massage. The intervention group received 30-minute reflexology treatments once per day for 12 days, one hour after haemodialysis. The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess the severity of the nausea 15 minutes after the intervention each day. The results showed differences between the groups after treatment, with the severity of the nausea significantly lower in the reflexology group. There are may different causes of nausea including viruses, medication, anxiety, pregnancy & haemodialysis. It is thought the reflexology may reduce the nausea indirectly by decreasing the related symptoms such as anxiety. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31383439

Hypertension – Can massage help?

After introducing, Hypertension, I discussed lifestyle and dietary factors that may assist you in either lowering high blood pressure or preventing it. Now I would like to share with you the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of massage in assisting with the management of Hypertension. Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder Massage In 1997 Cady et al. in Perceptual & Motor Skills evaluated the effectiveness of a 15 minute chair massage on reducing stress as indicated by blood pressure. 52 employed participants' blood pressures were measured before and after a 15 minute massage at work. Analysis showed a significant reduction in participants' systolic and diastolic blood pressure after receiving the massage. High Blood pressure is associated with anxiety and stress, this study supports the conclusion that chair massage is relaxing, reduces stress and high BP. Relaxing (or Swedish) Massage In 2013 Givi in International Journal of Preventive Medicine looked at the effectiveness of a relaxing (swedish) massage in the management of pre-hypertension. The study was a single-blind clinical trial with 50 women selected by random sampling divided into a control and test group. The test group (25 women) received 15 minute swedish massage 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Their BP was measure before and after each session and 72 hours after finishing the massage therapy. The results indicate the average systolic and diastolic BP in the massage group were significantly lower. In addition 72 hours after the finishing the massage therapy there was still a significant difference between the test and control group. So if you are concerned about your Blood Pressure, go to your GP and have it checked. Then why not book a massage. References Cady SH and Jones GE, Feb 1997, Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress, Perceptual & Motor Skills, (1) p157- 158 Givi M, Feb 2013, Durability of Effect of Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure, International Journal of Prevention of Medicine, 4 (5) P 511 - 516.

Can acupuncture cut hot flushes by half?

Hot flushes are temporary but recurring feeling of warmth that spreads over the body which often begins in the head and neck region and can be very troublesome. Hot flushes often occur during sleep, producing perspiration known as night sweats. As a result, hot flushes can have a big impact on your quality of life. Hot flushes are one of the most common symptoms women have when they go through the menopause. About 3 out of 4 women going through the menopause (75%) will have hot flushes. If you've had one, there's no mistaking it: the sudden, intense, hot feeling on your face and upper body, perhaps preceded or accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, weakness, or a feeling of suffocation. Researches recruited 209 women who experienced at least four hot flushes or night sweats every day. All the patients received up to 20 acupuncture treatments within 6 months. Nearly half the women saw a 47% reduction in hot flushes or night sweats, while almost 12% reported that their symptoms had stopped almost completely although 4% actually saw an increase in their problems. What is interesting is that most of the women how saw their hot flushes and night sweats decrease started seeing improvements after three sessions. Research http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2016/Acupuncture_Reduces_Hot_Flashes_for_Half_of_Women,_Study_Finds.htm

Headaches – How to tell when they are serious

More than 10 million people in the UK get headaches regularly, making them one of the most common health complaints. The most common treatment is to take a pain killer. In previous blog posts I have explored other treatments including

Most headaches aren't serious and are easily treated. However it is important that anyone with a headache “that is out of the norm” should see their GP as soon as possible. Particularly if the headache is more likely to be serious i.e.:

it occurs suddenly and is very severe – often described as a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
it doesn't go away and gets worse over time
it occurs after a severe head injury
it's triggered suddenly by coughing, laughing, sneezing, changes in posture, or physical exertion
you have symptoms suggesting a problem with your brain or nervous system, including weakness, slurred speech, confusion, memory loss, and drowsiness
you have additional symptoms, such as a high temperature (fever), a stiff neck, a rash, jaw pain while chewing, vision problems, a sore scalp, or severe pain and redness in one of your eyes

Tension headaches (see headache categorization) are one of the most common complaints we see in the Vitality Therapy treatment rooms, and Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder massage is what we recommend. (Book here)

Stress and the immune system – Part 2

In part 1, I gave an overview of the immune system works. In this post, I want to explore the impact of short-term stress on the immune system. The immune system is actually very flexible and naturally responds to challenges in your life which means stress modifies our immune system. When we consider the impact of stress on the immune system, we need to consider the duration and course of the stress i.e. how long it will be present and whether or its continuous or not. 1. Acute Stressors – last only minutes e.g. public speak – can cause adaptive up regulation of natural immunity and down regulation of specific immunity. This means you have an increased ability to fight infection but reduced specific response. 2. Brief Naturalistic Stressors – for example taking exams, present a short-term challenge – this means you specific immunity is preserved but less ability to fight infections. In summary in some circumstances, acute short-term stress is part of everyday life, and under some circumstances it can enhance your immunity. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/

Reiki – Mechanisms of Healing – Part 3

I want to finish the series of blog articles on the mechanisms of healing by looking at what happens in the client's body. Independent medical research has shown that this range of frequencies will stimulate healing in the body, with specific frequencies being suitable for different tissues. For example, 2 Hz encourages nerve regeneration, 7 Hz bone growth, 10 Hz ligament mending, and 15 Hz capillary formation. For example, it has been known for many years that placing an electrical coil around a fracture that refuses to mend will stimulate bone growth and repair. In addition Physiotherapy equipment based on these principles has been designed to aid soft tissue regeneration, and ultrasound technology is commonly used to clear clogged arteries and disintegrate kidney stones. Both Zimmerman (1990) in the USA and Seto (1992) in Japan further investigated the large pulsating biomagnetic field that is emitted from the hands of energy practitioners whilst they work. They discovered that the pulses are in the same frequencies as brain waves, and sweep up and down from 0.3 – 30 Hz, focusing mostly in 7 – 8 Hs, alpha state. Within the range of frequencies that will stimulate healing in the body. For me, all complementary therapies including Reiki work on the principle that they are stimulating the body to heal itself. References Zimmerman J, ‘The laying-on of hands, healing and therapeutic touch: a testable theory BEMI ‎currents’, Journal of the Bio-Electromagnetics Institute. Vol 2, 1990.‎ Seto A. et al., ‘Detection of extraordinarily large bio-magnetic field strength from human during ‎external ‎Qi emission’, Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Int. Jnl. Vol 17. 1992.‎

About fl1admin

Can massage and reflexology help clients with bladder cancer?

Is massage safe when you are pregnant?

Reflexology may reduce the intensity of migraines

This one if for my fellow women – sorry guys! Part 2

Can reflexology reduce the severity of nausea?

Hypertension – Can massage help?

Can acupuncture cut hot flushes by half?

Headaches – How to tell when they are serious

Stress and the immune system – Part 2

Reiki – Mechanisms of Healing – Part 3

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