Stable preterm infants gained more weight and slept less after five days of massage therapy than infants who did not receive massage, according to a recent study.
“Stable Preterm Infants Gain More Weight and Sleep Less after Five Days of Massage Therapy” was conducted by staff at the Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine; and the Center for Prenatal Assessment and Human Development, Emory University.
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
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.
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.