AMTA supports cancer walk

Posted by mary on Dec 10, 2009

From the AMTA



Evanston, IL – The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) and its members are celebrating a successful year of involvement with the 15 Breast Cancer 3-Day® events nationwide benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. AMTA was the official provider of more than 300 volunteer massage therapists for the Energizer Live it up! Lounge at the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day events in which participants walked 60 miles over the course of three days to raise funds to support breast cancer research. The 2009 tour was such a success AMTA and Energizer are already discussing plans for 2010.


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Improved immune response

Posted by mary on Nov 28, 2009

According to a report cited on Massagemag.com light massage has been shown to improve immune function in women undergoing treatment for some cancers:



Women with breast cancer and undergoing radiation therapy experienced improved immune-system function, and lowered heart rate and systolic blood pressure after a single light-pressure effleurage massage session.

In this prospective, randomized and controlled study, 30 women, aged 50 to 75 years and patients at a hospital in Sweden, were allocated to either receive massage or a control visit where they were given an equal amount of attention, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.



Rabbit massage

Posted by mary on Nov 25, 2009

This wacky study shows that massage is even good for rabbits:



The study reported: “The tibialis anterior muscles of six New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to one bout of damaging, eccentric contractions. One muscle was immediately subjected to cyclic compressive loads, and the contralateral served as the exercised control.” These researchers concluded that subjecting muscle to such compressive loads (i.e., “massage”) immediately after exercise leads to an enhanced recovery of muscle function and reduction of the damaging effects of inflammation in the rabbits.

A bout of primitive thinking suggests to me that this same information could possibly have been obtained by having volunteers exercise their legs eccentrically.



Help wanted

Posted by mary on Oct 25, 2009

Mary Barry Massage Therapy is seeking a professional therapist who is dedicated to patient care.

Massage Certification and Massachusetts State License required.

Interested candidates should contact Mary Barry by email or by phone at (508) 923-0044