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Massage and aroma therapy
Author(s) -
Field T.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of cosmetic science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1468-2494
pISSN - 0142-5463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00219_06.x
Subject(s) - fibromyalgia , medicine , immune system , aromatherapy , anxiety , massage , depression (economics) , chronic pain , mood , immunology , physical therapy , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Massage therapy has been shown to (1) facilitate growth and development; (2) reduce depression and anxiety and related stress hormones; (3) enhance sleep; (4) reduce pain; (5) reduce autoimmune disorders; and (6) enhance immune function. These effects have been noted in samples, for example, of preterm neonates, depressed children and adults, chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and migraines, autoimmune disorders including asthma and diabetes and immune disorders including HIV and Cancer. Potential underlying mechanisms are enhanced parasympathetic activity (increased vagal tone) following massage therapy, decreased stress hormone (cortisol), increased serotonin (body's natural pain killer and antidepressant) and enhanced immune function leading to increased natural killer cell activity (front line of immune system, warding off viral and cancer cells). Aromatherapy has been noted to relax babies and adults and shift their EEG patterns in the direction of a more positive mood and heightened alertness.