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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 5:41:57
Anybody get regular messages (like, on a daily or every few days, basis?) and find it helps with depression and anxiety? How about a professional message? (Like the message-therapist type.)
Jay
Posted by mikhail99 on January 16, 2003, at 8:56:16
In reply to Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 5:41:57
> Anybody get regular messages (like, on a daily or every few days, basis?) and find it helps with depression and anxiety? How about a professional message? (Like the message-therapist type.)
>
> JayHey Jay, I don't get massages nearly as often as I should but I used to be a massage therapist. What studies have shown is that massage definitely helps reduce all the bad stress hormones in addition to keeping muscles relaxed. My thinking is; what could it hurt? It feels good, the human touch is important and it makes you feel better. And no one ever got off my table in a bad mood!
Give it a try!
Take care,
Mik
Posted by Pfinstegg on January 16, 2003, at 9:24:00
In reply to Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 5:41:57
I do! (but only about once every two-three weeks) They do make you feel relaxed, cared for and in tune with your body. There are a few published studies showing that massage does lower stress hormones, including cortisol- so it's all good! Some of the newer massage therapists have received training in dealing with PTSD, also.
Pfinstegg
Posted by justyourlaugh on January 16, 2003, at 9:26:21
In reply to Re: Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by mikhail99 on January 16, 2003, at 8:56:16
Posted by mikhail99 on January 16, 2003, at 10:38:39
In reply to this could get notty... (nm), posted by justyourlaugh on January 16, 2003, at 9:26:21
JYL...LOL!!!! Very GOOD!!!
Posted by IsoM on January 16, 2003, at 12:21:55
In reply to Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 5:41:57
I used to have massage regularly (from a reputable licenced massage therapist) for old injuries around the shoulders, neck, & upper back. My therapist was frustrated with my muscles' ability to return to their old tightened positions in a matter of hours. I have tried other therapists too & they found the same thing.
For me, I find a good massage on those same areas by one of my sons (I used to do their backs a lot & they don't mind) works much better. I don't need to drive home from therapy & have the muscles tighten - I'm already at home. And I feel more comfortable with my own sons. They seem to know exactly what spots hurt & are tight as they have similar tight muscles in the same areas - maybe there's a genetic similarity in our structure?
And over all, I found stretching, exercise, & work that involves using those muscles with other groups to be far more effective. At least for me, not using my body makes me more tense & stiff. Everything goes downhill from there.
I really do wish massage would do more but this is my experience.
Posted by Dinah on January 16, 2003, at 12:44:45
In reply to Re: Deep Muscle Massage for Depression?? » jay, posted by IsoM on January 16, 2003, at 12:21:55
I enjoy massages from my husband, but I can't imagine anything more stress provoking than being touched by strangers.
I am really good at muscle relaxation on my own though. While I was taking Lamaze, there was a guided imagery progressive muscle relaxation. The instructor would come around and check to see how well you're doing. My husband and I would have so much fun because I could get totally relaxed immediately. He'd try to find tense spots, the instructor would, no go.
It makes getting shots waaay easier.
(By the way, does anyone ever wonder why they give you eight weeks of Lamaze training just for the labor, but don't give you any instructions at all on what to do with the baby?)
Posted by IsoM on January 16, 2003, at 13:30:44
In reply to Re: Deep Muscle Massage for Depression?? » IsoM, posted by Dinah on January 16, 2003, at 12:44:45
Oh, you funny girl! Once you've had your baby, the Lamaze folks don't care any more! Did you ever seek out help with Le Leché League? While they deal with breast-feeding issues, they're wonderfully helpful in many other matters too - just wonderful. I've counselled other young mothers about breast-feeding & answered any other questions I could. There's a comradrie among nursing mothers.
But like you, Dinah, I hate being touched by strangers (a gentle hug from a friendly woman I've connected with for a short while is fine though). The only reason this one therapist was good for me as he was such a sweet young guy & reminded me very much of my sons. He treated me in a respectful motherly manner which made me quite comfortable once I got to know him better. We'd talk about all manners of things while I had the massaging done - very discrete & completely respectable.
I hate group activities of most sorts so I taught myself the breathing & relaxation techniques & did a great job with them. One of the nurses at the hospital where my 2nd son was born said I did fantastic - he'd never seen any one else do so well (but that's going back 26 years!).
Isn't it funny how things have changed? Now, when one has a baby, you're ushered home the same day or the next. When I had my sons, I signed myself out the next day afterward with each one. I was even told by a few nurses, & other people (not friends!!), that I was irresponsible & a terrible person to do so. With my 1st son, he was kept in the nursery. The other 2 were allowed in the room with me during the day but taken away at night. I wouldn't stand for that! They even tried bottle-feeding my 1st though I was nursing him just fine! He refused that cold, hard bottle, I'm proud to say.
After my 1st birthing, I was adamant that I wasn't going to be routinely cut & given enemas. I wanted some control over such a personal matter & said so but in as tactful a manner as possible. The doctor drew himself up indignantly & said "Madam, you've only had one baby. I've had many hundreds!" I didn't bother asking him how he had accomplished such a miraculous feat & why it wasn't written up in the medical journals. Suffice to say, he WASN'T the doctor I got to deliver my 2nd son. He soon was forced to retire due to severe alcohol problems. Maybe it's what contributed to his arrogance.
Sorry...I digress, but I thought you'd be amused by the story, Dinah.
Posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 14:11:55
In reply to Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 5:41:57
Posted by Noa on January 16, 2003, at 16:26:37
In reply to Re: Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by mikhail99 on January 16, 2003, at 8:56:16
I used to, a long time ago, go for regular sessions with a massage therapist, and it really helped a lot. Every once in a while I remind myself I should go get a massage, but I always forget to set it up. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by Noa on January 16, 2003, at 16:40:28
In reply to Re: Deep Muscle Massage for Depression?? » IsoM, posted by Dinah on January 16, 2003, at 12:44:45
for me, it takes some getting used the stranger thing, but if you try a few therapists (maybe just for a mini-massage and interview) until you find one that feels right, and then stick with them, you can get used to it. It is important to have a massage therapist who listens to you and respects what your needs are. Having the feeling of safety is so important. And I think you can ask the massage therapist to work with you to build the feeling of safety, gradually. But hey, if your hubby is there to massage you--you are a lucky gal!
I do have a couple of "quirks". One is that my back is very ticklish, which all the massage therapists I've been to say is due to the tightness in the muscles, and I think they are right because the spots that are tight and achy are also the most ticklish. I had one therapist who slowly helped me work through the tension in those spots. At a certain point, after I had been going a while, we had a session in which instead of leaving a ticklish spot alone and coming back to it later (what she usually did), she gently continued working on it (with my consent, of course), while I laughed through it. It was really neat. It was this big release--the laughing actually felt like I was crying, and afterward it felt like the release of having "cryed it out" but it was laughing from the tickling.
My other major quirk is that when I am on my back, I cannot tolerate if a massage therapist uses both hands to massage around my neck area, because it feels to me like I'm being strangled, so I get all tense and scared. I can't explain why this is--I don't think I have any trauma experiences with that. But it is just my body's thing, I guess. Anyway, a good massage therapist will remember that from session to session and respect it.
I dropped one massage therapist because she kept forgetting about the neck thing.
Posted by jay on January 17, 2003, at 7:25:24
In reply to Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 5:41:57
I just wanted to say thanks to all who responded..and hope I didn't mess anyone up (or drive anyone crazy!) with my me/assage typo..heh.I found out there is actually a nationwide study being conducted by a few research centres, and government funded too, on professional massage therapy as a treatment in depression. It's interesting that some of the medications we take, too, also often work on our muscle system. And...as mentioned, exercise seems to help some with this too.
Now, if only I had a partner to provide daily massages with...*sigh*.
Jay
Posted by Noa on January 17, 2003, at 7:30:27
In reply to Re: Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??- - -all, posted by jay on January 17, 2003, at 7:25:24
I guess the other benefit I can think of is to relive muscle tension caused by some meds.
Posted by justyourlaugh on January 17, 2003, at 8:10:25
In reply to Re: Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??- - -all, posted by Noa on January 17, 2003, at 7:30:27
my husband went for a massage last year after playing hockey.
i asked him never to do it again.
i didnt like the idea of someone touching him in that way.i am not a jelous person ,but massage is an intimit act-is it not?
he does not like the idea of someone rubbing their hands all over me either.
j
Posted by Dinah on January 17, 2003, at 19:41:04
In reply to Re: Lamaze Babies » Dinah, posted by IsoM on January 16, 2003, at 13:30:44
Good for you, IsoM. Today it's so accepted that women will have a voice in childbirth, but I know it hasn't always been that way.
My son, unfortunately, developed jaundice because he and I were different blood types and my O blood didn't like his. But it was fortunate in a way, because I didn't have to drop that baby and get back to the fields. I had a couple extra days in the hospital. By the time he left, he was a super eater, and I could have fed quadruplets. :) It really was a blessing (although I hate hospitals) because I had never so much as held a baby and was totally overwhelmed with fear. At least we could change a diaper and hold him with minimal fear of breaking him by time we left. And the women that tought how to breastfeed were the best.
Posted by judy1 on January 18, 2003, at 11:45:35
In reply to Deep Muscle Massage for Depression??, posted by jay on January 16, 2003, at 5:41:57
My therapist actually had me go to a specialist who does 'body work' with victims of child abuse or those suffering from PTSD. A lot of us don't like to be touched, so to have someone trained in massage and knowledgeable about what to do with clients who have a difficult time with it is great. Mine went very slowly and stopped if I was uncomfortable in any way, so that in a month I was benefitting a great deal moodwise. I hope you decide to go, it really does help depression. take care, judy
Posted by judy1 on January 18, 2003, at 11:48:40
In reply to Re: Lamaze Babies » Dinah, posted by IsoM on January 16, 2003, at 13:30:44
I love the La Leche league! They gave me an awesome pump (I rented it) and all the help I needed with my baby and even worked with my pdoc and when to pump if I was taking meds and couldn't nurse. I miss them, time to have another baby:-)- judy
Posted by IsoM on January 18, 2003, at 12:53:17
In reply to Re: Lamaze Babies » IsoM, posted by judy1 on January 18, 2003, at 11:48:40
I loved helping out new moms with their babies. I'm not even a baby sort of person - never babysat in my teens ever, & I don't gush over babies like my Mom does. But there's something very satisfying, knowing that you're doing what you can to give babies the best possible start in life.
I bet your little Gabriel would love another brother or sister! (Did I spell her name correctly?)
Posted by judy1 on January 18, 2003, at 13:11:47
In reply to Re: Lamaze Babies » judy1, posted by IsoM on January 18, 2003, at 12:53:17
Gabrielle is a complete handful and me me me is her favorite word. I don't think I could survive another baby, but I'm like your Mom with the gushing part. take care, judy
Posted by IsoM on January 18, 2003, at 17:12:50
In reply to :-) » IsoM, posted by judy1 on January 18, 2003, at 13:11:47
This is the end of the thread.
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