Greenport doctor Frank Adipietro injects surgical cement into the damaged vertebrae of an 87-year-old woman suffering from chronic back pain for years. The procedure, called kyphoplasty, was recently criticized by the New England Journal of Medicine.
Massage Can Alleviate Lower Back Pain
Many back pain sufferers seek to alleviate their symptoms with massage, but, according to The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, only some forms of massage therapy are actually beneficial in reducing or eliminating pain. “Research suggests that classic massage, Thai massage and acupressure can relieve low back pain that has lasted longer than several weeks,” says Professor Peter Sawicki, the Institute’s Director. Read more
Studies Conclusively Show Massage Therapy Reduces Stress
Massage Therapy Reduces Stress is natural and safe and unlike some forms of alternative therapies, massage therapy is a proven discipline within the medical community with scientific evidence supporting the use of massage for stress management. Read more
Moderate-Pressure Massage Increases Relaxation
Moderate-pressure massage therapy increases relaxation and significantly decreased stress and heart rate, and caused a shift toward left frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry, suggesting that the massage was perceived as pleasant and relaxing, according to a recent study involving 36 healthy adults.
Expert Says How Foot and Hand Massage Eases Postoperative Pain
A 20-minute foot and hand massage significantly reduced subjects’ perception of pain intensity and distress the day after surgery, and also lowered their heart and respiratory rates, according to a recent study.