"It increases the circulation of blood and lymph, so it helps remove toxins from the body. It also helps repair and regenerate damaged cells from injuries, scar tissue and what not, and it helps prevent injuries by improving posture," said Nicole West, a certified massage therapist.
The massage therapy instructor at the St. Cloud Minnesota School of Business, which offers degrees in massage therapy, said it is the human component that makes massage so effective, versus receiving a massage by a machine.
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"When you have a therapist or person with the intension of healing or comforting another individual, magic happens. Although, it only happens if the individual is open and ready to heal or be comforted," she said. "Energy follows thought."
St. Cloud Technical and Community College recently offered "Elder Care Education Series: Healing Touch Therapy" at its Customized Training and Education Center for health care professionals providing elder care in licensed facilities or relatives caring for an older adult.
"It is safe for all ages and works in harmony with standard medical care ... and used in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices, hospices and spas," said Kathy Gilbride, program manager of CTEC Healthcare Programs at the college.
Janet Mentgen, a registered nurse, founded Healing Touch in 1989 as a continuing education program for nurses, health care professionals and lay persons. It has spread internationally and is taught in universities, medical and nursing schools, and other settings internationally.
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Psychotropic medication use was also noted to have decreased during studies, and behavioral scores were also improved in another small study in those with late stages of Alzheimer's disease, Gilbride said.
"What massage does, basically, is that it helps the body return to homeostasis, whether it be from an athletic event, stress, pregnancy, postural deviations," West said.
Ann Dragsten is a registered nurse and a certified healing touch practitioner who was the presenter of Healing Touch therapy at the college. She is also co-owner of Healing Ground in Monticello and practices at the Mind, Body & Spirit store in St. Cloud.
"We believe the mind, body and spirit are connected. They have to be in balance and in harmony in order for you to feel good, to feel healthy," Dragsten said. "Holistic medicine believes in treating the whole person ... but traditional medicine often just treats the symptoms."
The skin is the largest organ of the body, so it is particularly receptive to massage. And in infants, particularly premature babies, weight gain has been associated with being held and touched.
"Massage is a form of communication. As therapists, we listen to bodies and go where release or healing needs to happen," West said.
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Copyright (c) 2010, St. Cloud Times, Minn.
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