Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative condition causing tremor and motor impairment. Though PD is not fatal, complications from the disorder can be severe and there is no known cure. Parkinson’s has been related to the loss of dopamine (a hormone) secreting neurons in the midbrain area called the substantia nigra. With a decrease in the production of dopamine, the ability to regulate the body, movements and emotions are lost.
Denise Bell was approaching 10 years as an ovarian cancer survivor and planned to treat herself to an exotic vacation—then, her routine mammogram revealed inflamed lymph nodes. When her doctor diagnosed breast cancer, she knew exactly what to do. She had been a volunteer for five years at Greet the Day, an integrative oncology care group, and had witnessed first-hand the benefits of the restorative program. Now it was her turn to be on the receiving end.
Over the years, Pathology Perspectives has addressed many complicated conditions ranging from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections to polycystic ovary disease. For this issue, however, we are going back to basics and reviewing a condition that almost all of us will experience, if we live long enough: arthritis.
Close to 800,000 people in the United States will have a joint replaced this year. Osteoarthritis is the main—but not the only—reason. Joint replacements have become so common that most massage therapists can expect to see clients who are in various stages of recovery from this procedure. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s risk-free, and a person who has had a joint repaired has a significant chance of complications that impact bodywork choices in both the near and long-term.
Over the last three decades, thousands of licensed massage therapists have trained to become maternity-massage therapy specialists, but nurturing touch during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period isn’t a modern concept. For many centuries, midwives have used their highly developed hands-on skills in supporting gestation and birth. Massage and movement during the childbearing experience was and continues to be a prominent part of many cultures’ maternity care
Many people with Fibromyalgia (FM) enjoy the benefits of regular massages for pain, muscle soreness stress and improved sleep quality.
Learn how Massage can be beneficial for Cancer patients and survivors, whether 20 years in remission, or in active treatment, and the safety considerations for each.
Diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, are chronic metabolic diseases that require medical management. Type 2 diabetes is more common and it is estimated that 1-in-3 children born in the U.S. today will develop Type 2 diabetes during their lifetime. Fortunately, the treatment options and knowledge base is growing every day. Most people are looking for ways to enhance their healthy lifestyle. Receiving massage therapy can be one way of taking control, and nurturing your body, encouraging health and balance, and reducing symptoms and side effects naturally.