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Position Statement:
The American Massage Therapy Association AMTA firmly supports the inclusion of massage therapy as a critical component within wellness programs.
Background Information:
Over recent years, there has been an increased recognition amongst Americans about the significance of mntning good health and preventing diseases. This is often referred to as wellness. Wellness encompasses various aspects including improved quality of life, physical well-being, mental stability, emotional equilibrium, and spiritual harmony. A comprehensive wellness program integrates multiple disciplines for a holistic approach.
Innumerable studies underscore the role that massage therapy plays in the realms of wellness:
Massage therapy has been shown to enhance flexibility, range of motion, and improve measures such as anxiety, depression, vitality, and perceived stress levels.
It promotes feelings of well-being, tranquility, relaxation, and fosters a sense of belongingness among individuals.
In a study focusing on Bone Marrow Transplant recipients who underwent massage therapy, it was concluded that these patients experienced better quality of life due to reduced exhaustion, less depression and anxiety, enhanced ability to communicate with loved ones during critical treatment phases.
Massage therapy assists in combating feelings of fatigue.
Beyond affecting the musculoskeletal system, massage therapy has been shown to have several positive side-effects.
For instance, a combination of aromatherapy, music, and massage therapy significantly reduced anxiety levels among emergency room nurses, indicating its wide-ranging benefits.
Adolescents who received massage therapy had increased feelings of well-being.
Moreover, in older adults, massage therapy increased their sense of well-being while reducing stress.
The American Psychological Association APA also emphasizes the alarming statistics on stress and health:
43 of all adults suffer from adverse health effects due to stress.
Stress contributes to visits to physician offices for seven out of every ten cases.
Stress is linked to the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, lung conditions, accidents, liver cirrhosis, and suicide.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has declared stress as a workplace hazard.
Considering that if stress is reduced, wellness increases, it becomes logical to include massage therapy in everyone's health management plan due to its proven ability to reduce stress.
References:
Sharpe PA, Williams H., Effects of Massage on Range of Motion and Flexibility among Older Adults. Link
APA Web Site. How does stress affect us? Link
AMTA Position Statement Adopted in 2006: It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association AMTA that massage therapy can be effective for stress relief. Link
Original Contribution by Retta Flagg Ann Blr Kennedy
Approved on September 2008
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