Is there any evidence or information about the benefits of massage for Parkinsons?
John
What a large question which consumes one tiny sentence! I talk with people with Parkinsons who get massages regularly to help them release stress. To the extent that any therapy helps you release trauma and stress, you can rest assured your symptoms will become less bothersome.
Keep in mind that massage is a general term for many different therapies. People have told me that deep tissue massage is not helpful. The reason? I suspect that it is much too invasive. The body clamps down muscles in response to the intrusion.
If massage is coupled with energy healing (reiki, healing touch, energy healing), the therapist is much more likely to be gentle with the body’s response to the treatment as they invite the trauma and stress to be released. In my own experience. everything depends on the therapist.
I would say this very simply: There is a massage therapist out there in the universe who can be of benefit to you. Your job is to find them. You will know them when you get a first treatment.
So, even if you experiment with a massage and feel it did not help, stay on the lookout for someone else to get a treatment from. You will recognize the right person for you when you see them.
The bottom line is this: If the massage is intended to relax you – it will have benefits. If the massage is intended to release stress and trauma – it too will have benefits.
There is another benefit as well. Asking someone to help you is very therapeutic. I believe we can’t heal ourselves from the traumas of life. We have to ask for help from others. Besides, it is a great gift to give yourself.
What follows is a brief summary of some of the research and current thoughts about massage:
A study on massage for Parkinsons
Parkinson’s disease symptoms are differentially affected by massage therapy vs. progressive muscle relaxation: a pilot study by Maria Hernandez-Reifa, Tiffany Fielda, Shay Largiea, Christy Cullena, Julia Beutlera, Chris Sandersa, William Weinerb, Dinorah Rodriguez-Batemanb, Lisette Zelayab, Saul Schanberc, Cynthia Kuhnc
Abstract
“Sixteen adults diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (M age=58) received 30-min massage therapy or progressive muscle relaxation exercise sessions twice a week for 5 weeks (10 sessions total).
Physicians rated participants in the massage therapy group as improved in daily living activities by the end of the study. The massaged group also rated themselves as improved in daily functioning, and having more effective and less disturbed sleep. Urine samples revealed that at the end of the 10 sessions, the massage therapy group had lower norepinephrine and epinephrine (stress hormone) levels, suggesting they were less stressed.
The progressive muscle relaxation group had higher dopamine levels, which is interesting in that Parkinson’s is associated with a decrease in dopamine. The relaxation group also showed higher epinephrine levels, suggesting that although the relaxation exercises might have been beneficial, some Parkinson’s participants might have found the relaxation technique stressful.”
Age Ageing. 2016 Mar;45(2):299-303. Abdominal massage for the alleviation of symptoms of constipation in people with Parkinson’s: a randomized controlled pilot study
Abstract
Background: constipation is one of the most common non-motor features of Parkinson’s affecting up to 90% of patients. In severe cases, it can lead to hospitalisation and is usually managed with laxatives which in themselves can lead to side effects. Abdominal massage has been used as adjunct in the management of constipation in various populations, but not in those with Parkinson’s.
Objective: the primary objective was to test the recruitment, retention and the appropriateness of the intervention methods and outcome measures.
Methods: thirty-two patients with Parkinson’s were recruited from three movement disorder clinics and were randomised to receive either 6 weeks of daily abdominal massage plus lifestyle advice on managing constipation (Intervention Group, n = 16) or lifestyle advice (Control Group, n = 16). Data were collected prior to group allocation (Baseline), at Week 6 (following intervention) and 4 weeks later (Week 10). Outcome tools included the Gastrointestinal Rating Scale and a bowel diary.
Results: constipation has a negative impact on quality of life. The study recruited to target, retention was high and adherence to the study processes was good. The massage was undertaken as recommended during the 6 weeks of intervention with 50% continuing with the massage at 10 weeks. Participants in both groups demonstrated an improvement in symptoms, although this was not significantly different between the groups.
Conclusion: abdominal massage, as an adjunct to management of constipation, offers an acceptable and potentially beneficial intervention to patients with Parkinson’s.
This website specifically addresses the benefits of massage for Parkinsons:
http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2007/03/parkinsons_dise.html
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
