Massage Matters 20
• Introduction
• The Safety of Massage
• Odd Bod Tidbits
• Looking After Your Back at Work
• Sydney Hens Party
Introduction
Welcome to the latest edition of Massage Moves, the newsletter about massage at Maroubra Dynamic Physiotherapy.
There have been a few changes to our schedule although we are continuing to provide massage 6 days a week (and our availability is listed on the reverse of the newsletter). The breakdown of the changes is that Verity is available on Mondays and Tuesdays, on Wednesdays and Thursdays Amanda has appointments and Richard is available on Fridays and Saturdays.
There have also been some changes with the layout of the physiotherapy practice that should improve your massage experience. The entrance/reception desk is now next door at 45 Green St which should mean that there is less external noise to disturb your massage.
We wish you a very merry and safe Christmas and hope you have a fantastic 2007
Richard, Amanda and Verity
The Safety of Massage
On November 6, Today Tonight included an item about a young lady who had tragically suffered a stroke and become paralysed from the neck down. It was alleged that a seated massage she had 5 days before was the cause of the stroke.
No-one can dispute that is a tragedy for the lady concerned, her family and friends. The fact that Today Tonight publicised that her friends have launched a public fund to provide financial assistance for the lady is laudable.
The transcript of the Today Tonight story is included on the internet at http://www.seven.com.au/todaytonight/story/?id=30190.
The evidence does not support the story and the information presented on Today Tonight. For example, Today Tonight claimed that "Doctors believe her condition may have been caused by a simple massage gone wrong", yet no Doctor appeared on the program to make the claim. There was simply no evidence produced by a doctor or medical specialist to provide a causal link between the massage and stroke.
Another serious claim made by Today Tonight was that
"The family say one doctor told them Asha's extraordinary case was the second that week and, incredibly, doctors see about one case a month of massage causing serious injury".
Research simply does not support this allegation. For example, from 1995-2006, the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) Complaints committee did not receive a single complaint about massage therapy and stroke or any other serious physical injury. Similarly the ATMS' master policy insurer did not receive a single claim relating to massage and stroke in the period of 1990-2005. There is simply no evidence that massage therapy causes stroke or serious injury on a monthly basis.
Several massage associations have put out articles related to the story and we urge you to read them. Copies of these are available at the practice or are available for downloading from the Internet. These include
"TV Program Alleges That Massage Causes Stroke, But Where Is The Evidence" (available at http://www.atms.com.au/PDFS/Massage.pdf) and
"Massage Causes Paralysis: Fact or Fabrication?"
(available at http://www.amt-ltd.org.au/index.php?Page=Members_News_2.php).
Whether
• the massage caused the stroke
• the client had an (undiagnosed) predisposition to the stroke which may or may not have been triggered by the massage
• there was no causal link between the massage and the stroke (ie pure coincidence)
has not, to our knowledge, been made public (if indeed it has been determined).
Massage Therapists pay low rates for professional indemnity insurance. The professional risk assessors have identified that massage is extremely low risk. However, we always urge that should you believe you have suffered an adverse reaction after a massage (in the form of soreness, discomfort, nausea, etc) then consult a health care professional. This is particularly relevant if it extends for more than 48 hours after your massage.
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Odd Bod Tidbits
• Your ribs move about 5 million times a year, every time you breathe.
• Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult.
• Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
• Skepticisms is the longest word that alternates hands when typing.
• More money is spent on gardening than on any other hobby.
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Looking After Your Back at Work
Sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end on a less than comfortable chair is potentially a recipe for lower back problems. Poor posture and tightening of muscles can cause pain and discomfort if you don’t do anything to look after yourself.
Researchers in Finland(1) recently studied a group of office workers who had complained that back pain was restricting their work effectiveness. The researchers measured levels of back pain of the workers prior to teaching them simple exercises that could help with their backaches. Over 15 weeks the workers performed various forms of light resistance training.
They found that there was a statistically significant decrease in the intensity of lower back pain symptoms which was attributable to the exercises they were given. Exercising for only around 5 minutes every day of the working week decreased the workers pain by, on average, 19 percent.
(1) Sjogren T, et al. “Effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of low back symptoms in office workers”. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehab, 2006; 19(1)
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Sydney Hens Party – Beauty/Massage Pampering
If you or someone you know is getting married then you may be stuck for ideas for a Hens Party. If you’re looking for something a little different and special then how about a Pamper Party?
Amanda and Richard are associated with a company that provides qualified beauty and massage therapists for Pamper Parties in the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and the Sydney CBD.
For more information then please check out our website at www.sydneyhensparty.com.au or talk to Amanda or Richard at the clinic.
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