By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
As an increasing number of clinical research studies show the many health benefits of massage, its value as a therapeutic tool in the medical community is growing rapidly. In fact, a recent survey found that 14 of 18 major HMOs and insurance providers offer at least some coverage of alternative therapies, including massage.
Since 1982, the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami in Florida has researched the effects of massage therapy on people of all ages. Their research team, comprised of medical experts from top universities has found massage therapy alleviates depression symptoms, reduces pain and stress hormones, and improves immune function.
While massage therapy is consistently well-known for improving circulation, reducing heart rate and blood pressure, assisting lymphatic function, and relaxing muscles, TRI also found positive results in conditions such as arthritis, asthma, breast cancer, and Parkinson’s disease, among others.
"Massage, in general, stimulates pressure receptors, which in turn stimulates vagal activity—a slowing down of heart rate and blood pressure. Stress hormones kill immune cells, but this response releases those hormones, allowing immune cells to thrive," says Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of TRI.
Betsey Gilbert, certified massage therapist at University of Maryland’s Center for Integrative Medicine, has also witnessed improvements in her clients who suffer from chronic pain. “I have treated a lot of people who have arthritic pain and they do have relief,” she says.
New Massage Territory
Erickson joins the greater medical community in recognizing massage therapy’s health benefits. The nationwide company provides massage services at many of its communities as part of its health initiative, Erickson HealthSM