Massage: Helping People Recover From Stroke

Health & FitnessExercise & Meditation

  • Author Melissa Adamson
  • Published March 16, 2011
  • Word count 533

One of the leading causes of death all over the world is stroke. It is defined by the Heart and Stroke Foundation as the sudden loss of brain function due to change of blood flow in the brain, blockage of a blood vessel in the brain, or the rupture of this blood vessel. Without proper flow of blood that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the brain, there is a huge chance of incurring brain damage. Suffering from stroke is one of the most unpleasant event that any family can experience. Stroke not only affects the stroke patient, but it affects the whole family as well. As such, recovery from stroke is the recovery of the whole family from a traumatic experience.

So how can massage therapy or therapeutic massage help stroke survivors in their recovery? Well, we all know that massage therapy is known to have a vast effect on the body's nervous system and circulatory system particularly through the improvement of the body's blood flow and circulation. In addition, massage is also known to help people relax, reduce stress, and decrease pain. Armed with these knowledge coupled with the mastery of various therapeutic massage techniques, there is no doubt that massage therapists can assist people in their recovery process.

In 2004, a study has been conducted to investigate how massage therapy affects stroke patients. The study was lead by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Department of Nursing and Wong Chuk Hang Hospital also located in Hong Kong. Results showed that the group who received ten minutes of slow-stroke back massage before bedtime for seven nights had significant lower levels of pain, anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate compared with the control group. If ten minutes can do that, how much more can regular sessions of therapeutic massage affect the recovery of stroke patients?

There are different types of massage therapy techniques that can be used for stroke patients depending on their needs and condition. Two of the most popular massage therapy techniques are Swedish massage and reflexology. Other popular choices of massage treatments especially in the area of Rocky Point, New York are sports massage, deep tissue massage, and pregnancy massage.

Swedish massage, reflexology, sports massage, deep tissue massage, and pregnancy massage can be availed at a leading, and well-known massage spa in Rocky Point, NY. But of course, recognizing the fact that it is hard for some stroke patients to travel back and forth to a massage spa, the massage spa can send one of their professional massage therapist for home or hospital visit.

Suffering from stroke is not a pleasurable experience. Rehabilitation from a stroke can often take months or even years. For massage therapy to succeed in its aim of helping on the recovery of stroke patients, it must be done properly and with utmost care. Relaxing massage environment should be simulated at all times. And of course, there should be open communication between the massage therapist and the patient. It is not just the massage who ensures the success of any recovery, but who gives it. Choose a massage therapist wisely.

Massage Envy Rockpoint

346 Route 25A Suite# 106

Rocky Point, NY 11778

(631) 821-3999

http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/NY/Rocky-Point.aspx

Contributor and web content writer for various websites for over 3 years. http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/NY/Rocky-Point.aspx

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