In a message dated 8/9/98 3:26:11 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:

<<A friend of mine is taking a class to become a massage therapist and sh=
e
was assigned to write a paper on massage therapy on parkinsons patients.
Does anyone have information on sources that she can use to help her with
her project? Jon Meyer 41/2 ([log in to unmask])>>

Hello Jon's friend and others interested in the benefits of massage.
Below is an article I requested on the benefits of massage back
in 1996.

<<Date:  Mon, Oct 7, 1996 11:48 AM EDT
Subj:  Benefits of Massage Therapy - from Young Parkinson's Center

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Zoe Reese-Carter, A.M.T.A.

Zoe Reese-Carter is a Certified Massage Therapist in private practice in=
=0AWinnetka, Illinois  She is also the daughter of our YPD I&R Center=0AC=
oordinator, Susan Reese .

Many people with PD find massage to be a helpful  adjunct to the traditio=
nal=0Atreatment protocols of their neurologist and/or physical therapist.

Receiving massage on a regular basis may be helpful for muscle rigidity a=
nd=0Astiffness.  Increasing stiffness and tremors lead to muscle exhausti=
on,=0Asimilar to the kind found in athletic endeavors.   Unlike sports ac=
tivities,=0Athe person with Parkinson=EDs has no recovery period and over=
 time suffers=0Apermanent musculoskeletal changes.  Massage can increase =
the blood supply and=0Anutrition to muscles, as well as speed the elimina=
tion of metabolic wastes,=0Aand therefore offer muscles some reprieve fro=
m the contractive demands imposed=0Aby Parkinson=EDs.

Therapeutic touch can also be effective in reducing stress.   This is=0Ap=
articularly noteworthy for those who report that stress exacerbates their=
=0Asymptoms.  Massage activates the parasympathetic division of the auton=
omic=0Anervous system which is responsible for creating a body calmness, =
conserving=0Abody resources and is generally antagonistic to the aroused =
 and tense states=0Aof the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous =
system.  Some effects of=0Aparasympathetic stimulation include decreased =
heart rate, respiratory rate,=0Aand blood pressure and an  increase in ga=
strointestinal motility.  Thus=0Amassage can play a critical role in redu=
cing levels of anxiety and calming the=0Anervous system.  Recipients of r=
egular massage may experience sleeping=0Aimprovement, more regular bowel =
movements, larger handwriting, and an=0Aincreased effectiveness in medica=
tions.

Massage  can improve circulation and nutrition of the joints and may incr=
ease=0Ajoint range of motion and flexibility.  By engaging the client in =
passive=0Arange of motion exercises and resisted stretches, the rigidity =
and stiffness=0Aof PD is gently challenged as the body is reacquainted wi=
th healthy and normal=0Amovement.    In addition to stretching the muscle=
s, moving the body stimulates=0Athe production of snynovial fluid in the =
joints (for healthy joint lubrication=0Aand pain-free movement) and reset=
s the proprioceptors (neurons that sense=0Awhere the joint is in
space) in those joints that are stretched.

There are several types of massage therapy.  All of them have circulatory=
 and=0Amusculoskeletal benefits.  The most common is Swedish massage.  Th=
is is a very=0Asoothing massage in which oil is used and strokes are typi=
cally gliding and=0Asmooth.  Deep tissue therapies such as neuromuscular =
therapy, trigger point=0Aand rolfing often are a bit more uncomfortable, =
yet produce highly effective=0Aresults with  chronic pain and holding pat=
terns.    Eastern styles such as=0AShiatsu, Tradition Thai massage and ac=
upressure are considered energetic and=0Aaim to normalize the flow of ene=
rgy in the body though the use of finger=0Apressure, rocking and stretchi=
ng.  This is by no means an inclusive list of=0Amanual therapies availabl=
e.

During your first session, the therapist will ask for general information=
 and=0Ainquire about your health.  Answering thoroughly will help the the=
rapist cater=0Athe session to fit your needs.   For instance, if someone =
does not say they=0Ahave PD and the therapist keeps telling you to relax =
your leg, this could=0Abecome frustrating for both parties!  If you are a=
 slow mover be sure to wear=0Aclothes that are easy to slip in and out of=
 since most therapists work with=0Athe client undressed and draped with a=
 sheet.  Some practitioners who do=0AEastern-style work (Shiatsu,
acupressure, Thai Massage) may not ask you to disrobe, in which case loos=
e,=0Acotton clothing is most comfortable.

When looking for a therapist, make sure he/she is a certified massage=0At=
herapist who has graduated from an accredited school of massage therapy.=
=0ACertification assures that you are getting a therapist who has a thoro=
ugh=0Aunderstanding of anatomy, physiology and different massage modaliti=
es.  The=0Amassage therapist should also be a member of the American Mass=
age Therapy=0AAssociation.  This guarantees that s/he has had continuing =
education=0Athroughout the years and is also insured.

Many people resist the idea of spending money on massage.  Some, however,=
=0Aconsider massage health maintenance, rather than a luxury.   Remember,=
 you are=0Aworth the expense!
>>

=09I decided I was worth it, and have scraped up the money
since!

Regards,

Barbara Blake-Krebs
Merriam  KS
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