Research reveals massage therapy significantly effects body chemistry. Since negative emotions are stored in the body, it stand to reason massage therapy is effective in treating emotional distress and disease. |
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| Searching for Truth Creates Hope for our Future |
| Research Based |
| Premature Infants After three 15 minute massages/day for 10 days. Gained 47% more weight. Released six days earlier. |
Cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine are stress related hormones. |
| Cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine decreased. |
| ADD/ADHD After 10 days of receiving one 15 minute massage per day Time on task increased from 43% to 77%. Conners scale improved from 28 to 11. |
| Comments by Tiffany Field, MD Touch Research Institute University of Miami, School of Medicine "... adolescents were less depressed and less anxious than they had been and their stress hormones (cortisol and norepinephrine) had decreased. They also developed better organized sleep patterns and showed more appropriate behavior after massage therapy. Long term effects reported by teachers included more time on task and lower Conners Hyperactivity scores." |
| Effects of Abuse After first day of massage Depressed mood (POMS) from 30 to 14. Anxiety (STAIC) from 64 to 40. After 1 month of 30 minute massages twice a week Life Event Stress from 4.3 to 1.5. Depression (CESD) from 40 to 26. |
| PTSD After 8 days of 30 minute massage two times per week Relaxation level increased from 47 to 82. Depression (CESD) improved from 26 to 16. |
| Computation After one 15 minute massage Accuracy improved from 69.2% to 89.2%. Completion time decreased from 250 to 234 seconds. |
| Sleep After 5 days of receiving a 30 minute massage per day Time asleep increased from 79.7% to 91.3%. Time awake decreased from 15% to 4% |
| Infants After receiving three 15 minute massages every day for 10 days Norepinephrine 245 to 120. Epinephrine 22 to 11. Cortisol 1383 to 656. Serotonin 945 to 1428. |
| Autism After 4 weeks of 15 minute massage 2 days a week Off task behavior + 12.8 points. Stereotypical Behavior + 8.2 points. Behavior regulation + 6.3. Social + 5.0. |
| Aggression After 5 weeks of 20 minute massage two times a week OAS total decreased from 28 to 22. SCL-90R Hostility decreased from 13 to 11. |
| Leukemia After 30 days of 15 minute massage per day White blood count increased 2.5 to 4.0. Neutrophils increased 38.9 to 52.2. After one 15 minute massage from parent Parent depression (CESD) improved 19 to 6. Anxiety (STAIC) decreased 28 to 22. Depression (POMS) decreased 8.4 to 3.0. |
| Research was conducted at the Touch Research Institute. For more information on the effects of massage therapy on infants, children and adolescents visit Touch Research Institute. |
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Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Low levels are associated with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, SIDS and many other disabling and life threatening conditions. |
| Serotonin levels significantly increased. |
| Serotonin Increased |
| 47% Weight Gain |
| Serotonin Increased 945 - 1428 |
| Time on Task Increased 43% - 77% |
| Conners Scale Improved 28 - 11 |
| Depressive Mood Improved 30 - 14 |
| Relaxation Increased 47 - 82 |
| Scores Improved 69% - 89% |
| Time Awake 15% - 4% |
| Off Task Behavior Improved + 12.8 |
| OAS Scale 28 - 22 |
| White Blood Count Improved 2.5 - 4.0 |
| Cortisol Decreased |
| LINK Touch Research Institute University of Miami School of Medicine |
| Research at Touch Research Institute |
Program Evaluation Thomas McLaughlin, Ph.D. Background and Literature Changes in levels of stress and emotional states are often at the heart of school issues and changes in behavior for youth. The evidence in many forms is clear as to the connection between stress and emotional states and youth performance in school. Additionally, changes in school behavior and level of functioning are also associated with changes in stress and irrational emotional states. In all of these areas, an increase in the level of stress and changes in emotional status have been observed. Concurrently, evidence clearly suggests that massage and energy work have the ability to enhance youth’s connection to their own bodies. As data from Mains, 1998, suggests most patients who are experiencing severe emotional stress have little connection their own bodies. Massage and energy work afford the youth the ability to get into a rhythm of connecting with their bodies which in turn allows them to explore the truth and connection between their physical health an their emotions and social self. While this connection is clear, treatment of emotional stress has largely been confined to psychosocial treatments. Little has been done in the development of a holistic cognitive model which incorporates the role which stress and emotional states play on the issue of physical wellbeing and how they can be integrated. Research Protocol Research for this project is based on research conducted by Dr. Tiffany Field at the University of Miami. Using an emotional assessment tool measuring levels of peace, happiness, hopefulness and confidence, practitioner Bruce Cote conducted massage and energy work with 66 youth ranging in age from 5 to 18. Youth were referred to Mr. Cote for treatment as part of a complementary therapies program. All youth involved have mental health diagnoses and have been working with clinical staff in talk therapy sessions. During each session, Mr. Cote administers the Emotional Assessment tool (EA1) before treatment. After treatment the emotional assessment tool is re-administered with the youth. Pre and post measures are taken during each treatment session and scores from those sessions are recorded. A total of 66 youth participated in the project. The average number of treatment sessions for youth who participated in this research is six over a two month period. Results A total of 66 youth are included in the study. Data results suggest that on all measures youth reported positive change in all four individual measures as well as the aggregate. |
| The following is an excerpt from a program evaluation regarding complementary services provided by Bruce Cote at Hands of Hope. |
| Clinically Proven |
| Conclusions The data suggests that massage therapy interventions which follow proscribed intervention and data collection strategies show marked changes in behavior and level of stress for the youth involved. |
I am the maternal grandmother of Tyler, my nine-year old grandson. Tyler has been quite a handful since he was a baby. Tyler has been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). His PTSD comes from severe emotional and physical abuse. We managed to get Tyler removed from his father’s home and he now lives with us, along with his mother. Tyler has spent most of his growing up years lost in computer games. We have tried many things to try and get (his) attention on friends and outdoor activities. No matter what we tried he just did not interact with others. Even his cousins of the same age could not get his attention unless they played video games with him. It was very frustrating. While Tyler was receiving counseling services, one of them suggested receiving massage therapy and energy work with Bruce Cote at Hands of Hope. During his first few sessions I noticed that Tyler started going outside without being prompted. He became less clingy with adults. He put his video games down for 30 minutes at a time. By the time his six sessions were over with Mr. Cote, we noticed Tyler was spending more and more time outdoors and playing more physical games. He has had a few play dates with other children and asked for more. Last weekend we were delighted when Tyler approached us and asked if he could go and spend the night at one of his cousin’s house. This is a huge step for him, since he has never really been away like that. It is not only the adults in our home that has noticed a difference, but other friends and family that have commented on Tyler’ s new personality aspects. We are so pleased and feel that the massage therapy was one of the big factors along with counselors and love from our family. Bruce Cote, the massage therapist, took the time to teach us some of the simple things we could do at home to help continue Tyler’ s healing process. It is my opinion that children who have been through such things as my grandson has would greatly benefit from hands on massage therapy. I hope this program continues to be available. |
| The following is an unsolicited letter written by a client's grandmother. Contents have been edited to protect the client’s and the family’s privacy. |
| Peaceful Happy Hopeful Confident |
| Emotional Inventory EI1 |
| Grandmother’s Testimonial Tyler, age 9 |