Wednesday, May 23, 2012

MASSAGE THERAPY FOR HYPERTENSION

Simple Massage Techniques For Hypertension
Massage is a gentle way of soothing away sickness almost any kind of sickness. It stands in the contention that a sickness is the result of poor bodily functions that has sprouted from a variety of causes like poor blood circulation. Massage therapy causes gentle effects on our arteries and is found to increase blood flow without increasing blood pressure. Recent studies also found out that massage can lower both systolic and diastolic high blood pressure.

An exclusive study that has been recently conducted yields a positive result regarding the effects of massage in hypertension. The said study proved that it can decrease the possibility of having heart attacks through hypertension by promoting smooth circulation of blood. An ancient myth that says using massage to counter HBP a taboo is now debunked. 

The "Side Effect" Dilemma 

Having hypertension is not a joke but rather it is some sort of an ordeal that should be survived everyday. It can cause many discomforts as well as anxieties that lead to the worsening of the condition everyday. Drug-related treatment of this disease can be effective but the ill side effect of the method is also inevitable. One of the most prominent side effects of drug treatment for high blood pressure is kidney failure.  

Due to prolonged exposure to chemicals brought inside our body by the drugs we take in order to counter hypertension effects, some parts of our body suffer due to the constant and undesirable effects of it. The liver acts as a filter for all the substances that  enter our body, and if faced with the constant exposure to strong chemicals from certain drugs, it become weak and eventually break down. Same is true with our kidneys. They too can suffer from the ill effects of drugs used to combat HBP. 

Gentle Way is the Best Way 

When we are suffering from maladies, it is our human instinct to seek for a cure of it and putting high blood pressure in mind, we sure don't want to jeopardize safety by using treatment methods that has proven bad side effects. This is where the benefit of a massage can be made use of.  
Massage has a natural calming effect in the central nervous system. When our body is properly massaged, it signals our brain to release dopamine, a hormone most notable for its "feel-good" effect to be released into our bloodstream, thus causing the following: 
  • Decreasing the pressure against the walls of the arteries caused by the surging blood
  • A relaxed heart and a smooth blood flow. Because of the fact thatt our whole body is relaxed, all pressures and stress points in our body can relax as well, leading to a relaxed feeling, therefore it aids in the lowering of blood pressure.
Aside from staying away from the sources of high blood pressure like unhealthy lifestyles and poor diets, having a regular massage can aid greatly in fighting hypertension. It does not only give relaxation but it also gives more benefit than we really expected. Lowering the blood pressure is one.

Related Articles:

Additional Information on Massage for Hyprtension:

As hypertension is strongly related to stress, massage therapy sessions are really beneficial to relieve stress and tension. By managing your stress, you will eventually manage your blood pressure. Another good point about using a hypertension massage therapy is that it can also lower related symptoms such as depression, anxiety and hostility.

Here are some scientific studies on massage therapy for hypertension:

People who had been diagnosed with hypertension were given massages for five weeks (ten 30-minute sessions) experienced lowered blood pressure, less hostile behavior, less depression and lower salivary and urinary hormone levels (cortisol). Researchers concluded that massage therapy may be useful in lessening the symptoms of hypertension and lowering diastolic blood pressure .
- Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, H., Hossain, Z., & Burman, I. (2000). -- High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. -- Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31-38.

Following myofascial trigger-point massage therapy, subjects showed a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Subjects also felt a decrease in muscle tension and an improved state of emotion. Analysis of heart rate variability revealed a significant increase in parasympathetic activity.
- Delaney, J.P., Leong, K.S., Watkins, A., & Brodie, D. (2002). -- The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. -- Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37, 364-71.

No comments:

Post a Comment