Massage can help to relieve
the muscle stiffness and rigidity that is often found in Parkinson’s. It can also help reduce stress, promote relaxation
and enable the recipient to become aware of tension in his or her body, and so
find ways to minimise or reduce this.
Tension can make symptoms worse so it is important to keep it under
control.
Massage can also be
invigorating and stimulating, both for the mind and body. It is important to decide what effect you
want – relaxing or stimulating – before your massage session starts!
Massage can work in two
ways:
- a mechanical
action in which the muscles and soft tissues of the body have pressure
applied to them or are stretched using specific movements. This can help in breaking down ‘knotty’,
fibrous tissue, keeping joints loose and connective tissue in good repair
- a reflex
action in which massaging one part of the body has an effect on another
part, for example massaging the neck can help with back pain, or massaging
the lower back can help with leg pain.
This works because nerve pathways connect various parts of the body
and so massage can have a ‘knock on’ effect.
Massage benefits may
include:
- reduced stress
- reduced pain
- improved flexibility and mobility
- improved circulation and elimination of waste
and toxins
- improved quality of sleep
- greater sense of self-awareness and wellbeing
- improved vitality.
A study1 in 2002
conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, along
with staff from the university's neurology department and Duke University's
pharmacology department, concluded that Parkinson's symptoms are reduced by
massage therapy. In this study, a group
with Parkinson’s who received two massages a week for five weeks experienced
improved daily functioning, improved quality of sleep and decreased
stress-hormone levels. The massage consisted of 15 minutes lying on the stomach,
with the practitioner focusing on the back, buttocks, ribs, thighs, calves and
feet; and 15 minutes lying on the back, with the practitioner focusing on the
thighs, lower legs, feet, hands, forearms, upper arms, neck, face and head.
Acupuncture is not regulated in many countries so some therapists have had little training, experience or insurance.
