Body For Life - Disorders

Conditions & Disorders That May Benefit From Massage

Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen shoulder) Restricted range of motion of the shoulder with difficulty or inability to perform certain daily activities such as combing hair and moving the arm to the back, etc. This condition is more common in women over the age of 50.

Asthma – narrowing and inflammation of the air passages and difficulty in breathing. Stimuli causing the attacks can range from allergens, exercise, anxiety and stress, occupational exposures, etc.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Numbness of the thumb, 2nd and 3rd fingers and half of the ring finger, pain in the wrist and hand with reduced sensations at night. This condition is seen in people who perform repetitive movements in their occupation as well as sports activities.

Fibromyalgia – A chronic condition with varying symptoms which may include diffuse muscle pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep to name a few. Massage is shown to increase relaxation of muscles, decrease fatigue and produce sleep. It may also decrease depression and anxiety and increase the client’s sense of well being.

Panic Disorder – A condition where sudden, unexpected attacks of feelings of terror and impending doom occur. Massage may help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate and reduce tension in muscles.

Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Spur – Inflammation of the plantar fascia and surrounding structures with complaints of pain in the heel which is relieved by rest. Massage to the leg muscles and plantar fascia is recommended.

Shin splints – Pain and tenderness to the muscles anterolateral to the tibia, or posteromedial to the tibia. These symptoms can be caused by overzealous training, recurrent contact of heels on a hard surface, uneven or inclined surfaces as in running or in ballet or sports involving plantar flexion.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) – A group of signs or symptoms related to any structures in and around the TJM joint. Related problems may include jaw pain, ear pain, teeth pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches. Massage can help decrease muscle tension and increase circulation.

Thoracic outlet syndrome - entrapment or pressure on structures like nerve plexuses, arteries and veins that pass through the thoracic outlet to enter the limbs. Symptoms include edema or heaviness of the arms, numbness, tingling or weakness of the upper limb.

Whiplash – Sudden hyperextension or flexion of the neck causing damage to muscles, ligaments, intervertebral disks and nerve tissues of the cervical area.

Other, more common problems, such as headache, back and neck pain, stress, anxiety and depression are greatly benefited by massage modalities.