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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 [log in to unmask]