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Transformative Essay: Massage Therapy For Stress Prevention

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Philip Tamburrino
Massage Therapy for stress reduction

Massage Therapy is a commonly used method in modern society to enhance an individual’s well-being on a variety of levels. Massage therapy is manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being (1). Massage Therapy is a natural therapeutic treatment intervention recommended by many physicians to help combat the negative effects of stress on the human body in both a physical and mental capacity.
Human beings are susceptible to high levels of stress and anxiety in today’s world. Monetary needs and challenges presented by uncontrollable circumstances contribute to increasing stress-like symptoms for people
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The effects of stress on the human immune system can cause a variety of diseases and physiological breakdowns. The following article in Psychological Bulletin harmonizes the role of stress in infectious disease as measured either by illness behaviors (symptoms and use of health services) or by verified pathology. Substantial evidence was found for an association between stress and increased illness behavior, and less convincing but provocative evidence was found for a similar association between stress and infectious pathology (Cohen, & Williamson, 1991). In order to help prevent the onset of it is essential that individuals strategize positive stress management techniques. Massage Therapy assists in helping the body relax which synergistically causes the systems of the body to ease during periods of…show more content…
Physical changes of the body associated with pregnancy can increase the workload on various parts of the body. Many women experience symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Unfortunately, it is not recommended that pregnant women consume medication during pregnancy. As an alternative ways to improve increased stress levels with anxiety and depression, massage therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment option for pregnant women. The following article in Infant Behavior and Development analyzed pregnant women diagnosed with major depression were given 12 weeks of twice per week massage therapy by their significant other or only standard treatment as a control group. The massage therapy group women versus the control group women not only had reduced depression by the end of the therapy period, but they also had reduced depression and cortisol levels during the postpartum period. Their newborns were also less likely to be born prematurely and low birthweight, and they had lower cortisol levels and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales (Field, Diego, Hernandez-Reif, &Figueiredo, 2009).Many women endure increased stress levels during pregnancy due to hormonal changes within the body. In this scenario, it is extremely important to manage stress effectively as the unborn child may also be effected
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