"TOUCH DEPRIVATION POST-COVID: A TSUNAMI OF NEED"... a catching intro to a recent article written by a veteran massage therapist and the former president of one of our professions most notable periodicals, Douglas Nelson, NCTMB, LMT. He expounds, "DEPRESSION, already one of the most common causes of disability due to mental disorders, has increased markedly during the pandemic, some studies showing as much as a THREE-FOLD increase (1), while other studies estimate up to a SEVEN-FOLD increase (2)." World-wide our society is still floating over the shock-waves of 2020's crazy events, and many around us are still suffering the effects of long-term isolation. 

One incident as noted in Nelson's article (as relating to a client of his and their experience during the pandemic) was this:

'... Breaking the silence, she continued. “I have not thought about it until now, but due to the pandemic, I HAVE NOT HAD ANYONE TOUCH ME IN WELL OVER A YEAR. In the beginning, I was almost completely isolated from outside contact due to my age and the fact that I live alone. As restrictions eased, my daughter would visit, then over time, friends and family as well".... In all that time, however,” she added, “there have been no affectionate hugs, no physical displays of affection. Think of the ramifications of that lack of touch, not just for me, but for society in general.'

Most professional massage therapists (as well as many dedicated massage advocates) know that touch is a critical human need. If you have any questions about this, just ask Google about king Frederick II of Germany and his unruly experiments that still remind us today that babies, devoid of affectionate touch in even the smallest quantities, will die. Touch stimulates the human nervous system, of which there are estimated to be "90,000 miles of sensations," as one author wrote. With such a profound volume of "feeling" in the human system, what a loss it must be to our overall wellness to have this system so drastically neglected in our modern day touch-starved society. Of course, those "in the know" understand that the answer to this question was being realized even before Covid-19 thanks in part to Frederick and those like him, but also thanks to our touch-devoid, social-media-rich screens! A simple hug, a pat on the back, a split-second high-five. Every one of these actions add-up day by day and help make the human being's experience complete.

Nelson, among others not ignorant of the benefits of massage therapy for aiding sufferers through periods of anxiety and depression, continues:

'One of the greatest gifts of massage therapy might be its ability to reveal the nervous system to itself.... the recipients experience their inner reality, a process called interoception.... Simply stated, touch can possibly facilitate a “software update” for the brain as you cannot change that which you are unaware. The therapist’s hands become like mirrors, reflecting the nervous system to itself...; Another important point... is that increased interoceptive accuracy decreased Alexithymia, a condition where people struggle to identify the feelings they feel, especially the somatic aspects of those feelings. This is an important point because there seems to be a link between depression and alexithymia (4).'

So what does this have to do with you? Well, if you're not getting regular, nurturing touch from family, friends, co-workers, or even a family pet, we'd like to suggest that you should. A visit to your local professional massage therapist might just be the place for you to do so. If you are a healthcare provider of any kind, take an extra moment with those you interact with, whether patient or colleague.

If you are just a normal guy or gal, but are a well known friend of those around you and have the capacity to offer compassionate, socially-acceptable touch in the way of a fist-bump or elbow bump for a job well done, a pat on the shoulder to a friend at work, or a basic side-squeeze (hug) to a soul in need, it might bring much needed relief for that not-always-obvious "empty feeling" that so many of our friends, neighbors and colleagues carry with them from day to day (upwards of 45% of Americans have reported feeling lonely). ☼ And be sure to remember your family. More and more many family members are going too long without regular, positive touch -- especially as screen-time infringes on previously normal interactions within our households and in society. ♥ Experts have suggested that a brief twenty-second hug or a 30 minute massage received regularly can do a world of good!!

Not a fan of physical affection? That's okay too, but even the most staunch, touch-prohibitive persons need to experience beneficial, "healing" touch from time to time too. For those on the masculine side of things, why not gather your buddies around for a back-slapping, bro-uplifting, man-date, if you have to! ;-) Or a furry friend, like a dog or cat, might be a great benefit to you.

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References:

1) Ettman CK, et al. “Prevalence of depression symptoms in US adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.” JAMA network open 3.9 (2020); e2019686-e20119686.

2) Bueno-Notivol J,, et al. Prevalence of depression during the COVID-19 outbreak: A meta-analysis of community-based studies.” International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology 21.1 (2021): 100196.

3) “Touch Deprivation Post-COVID: A ‘Tsunami of Need’ for Massage.” MASSAGE Magazine, 14 July 2021, www.massagemag.com/touch-deprivation-post-covid-a-tsunami-…/.

4) Bornemann B, Singer T. “Taking time to feel our body: Steady increases in heartbeat perception accuracy and decreases in alexithymia over 9 months of contemplative mental training.” Psychophysiology 54.3 (2017): 469-482.

The "micro-muscles" of the neck and back (Semispinalis, Multifidus, Rotatores, Intertransversarii, etc.), and all skeletal muscles in general, are often neglected in many other forms of professional spinal/skeletal care, such as in chiropractic. When these muscles become hypertonic, scarred over due to injury or surgery, become flaccid due to underuse, suffer from repetitive strain injury, or simply develop other pathologies due to ischemia, improper nutrition or dehydration, poor sitting or sleeping habits, et cetera, it can wreak havoc on our posture, particularly as we age.

In our modern day "sit-culture" where standing, squatting, reaching out, and walking are not practiced during the majority of our waking hours, regular massage therapy can be an excellent source for spinal maintenance as it will help to: increase blood flow (aiding nutrient and oxygen flow to the area, and toxins out of the area), alleviate trigger points and help re-soften these "soft" tissues, "tone" flaccid muscle tissue, and loosen scar tissues and myofascial restrictions. All of these benefits thereafter will help prevent further injury, deformity and deterioration in the spinal column, including scoliosis, hyper-kyphosis (dowager's hump), and hyper-lordosis (sway-back).

In some instances, regular massage therapy has proven beneficial in halting development of, and even reversing scoliotic curvatures, particularly when combined with adjunct therapies such as Postural Restoration Therapy, Stretching and Strengthening techniques and/or general chiropractic care.

If you'd like to "stay ahead of the curve", so to speak, and help ensure a healthier spine (and a resulting healthier you!), give us a call and set up a regular maintenance program for this next year.

The Great Escape
Massage & Wellness Center LLC
Chadron, NE 69337
By appointment only.
308-432-4558

Massage for the abdomen has been shown to be effective for helping:

Reduce Bloating
Relieve Constipation
Assist Weight Loss (mechanical via elimination, and biological via detoxification)
Reduce/Prevent Menstrual Cramps
Alleviate Feeling of Stress & Anxiety
Refreshes/Stimulate Internal Organs
Alleviate Hiatal Hernia
Ease Feelings of Nausea (due to stress)
Aid Breathing
Relieve Back Pain
Calm the Nervous System
Improve Sleep
& More...

Most massage therapists do not work on the stomach unless asked to. If you would like to benefit from Abdominal Massage, we offer a stand-alone session for $25 for 15 minutes, or the treatment can be added to most 60 or 90 minute sessions. We also offer 15-Minute Head, Face & Neck, or Foot & Leg Massages too.  (Prices subject to change without notice.)

Call to schedule 308-432-4558. 

SKIN AS THE "THIRD BRAIN"

"In his article “Epidermis as the ‘Third Brain?’” Japanese researcher Mitsuhiro Denda, PhD, introduces the idea that the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), which forms the interface between the body and the environment, could be considered the “third brain” (next to the digestive tract as the “second brain”), as it contains multiple environmental sensors and a sensory information-processing system, and generates a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters with the potential to influence whole-body states and emotions." - Massage Mag, "The 'Why' Behind Touch Benefits." 2020.

To keep it simple, "all components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, an interactive neuroendocrine unit that describes the functional connection between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland (both located in the brain), and the adrenal glands (on top of the kidneys) can be found in touch-receptors in the skin (epidermal keratinocytes)." As the HPA axis is critical for aiding with homeostasis (whole-body balance and optimal function), when approached in a positive manner, the skin then becomes an avenue for helping us better adapt to physical and emotional triggers in the world around us.
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Want to get in on the benefits? Schedule a regular therapeutic massage today: 308-432-4558. Be sure to visit our Service Menu page.

DID YOU KNOW THAT MASSAGE THERAPY CAN HELP WITH:

• Insomnia
• Food cravings
• Mood imbalance
• Chronic fatigue
• Mental clarity
• Weight loss
• Anxiety and depression
• PMS
• Menstrual cramps
• Tension headaches
• & so much more...

Research shows that therapeutic massage has an indirect yet profound impact on the "HPA axis" via its affect on cortisol production (the 'stress hormone'). The HPA, or Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal axis, is the 'feedback-loop' in our brain that controls the hormones and other chemicals messengers in our body responsible for virtually ALL of its basic functions. The neuroendocrine effects induced by receiving regular therapeutic massage, including and especially the reduction in cortisol levels and the near parallel elevation of serotonin and dopamine, in turn, affects other hormones and chemical processes throughout the body including those required for proper sleep (melatonin), blood sugar levels (insulin), appetite control (ghrelin and leptin), and more. Unchecked stress, in the same systemic (whole-body) manner, may have negative long term consequences such as creating increased risk for obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, dementia and arthritis. just to name a few.

When an individual chooses to receive regular massage therapy treatments to combat stress, they are not only affecting their stress levels in a positive way, they are in turn also choosing to improve their overall health and wellbeing via the HPA axis.

TAKEAWAY POINT: Massage = good 😃. Stress = bad 🥺. Health = priceless 🙌.
If you'd like to get on the road to wellness, we have a few open sessions left in the next few weeks. Call to schedule M-Th 9am-5:30pm 308-432-4558.

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NOTE: As the cumulative, stress-busting affects of massage therapy are best experienced with regular treatments, consider a monthly, bi-monthly or weekly appointment depending upon your individual needs. If you only have time for one session, don't be discouraged. Even one session here or there still can have profound benefits!!

Massage is such a powerful tool for personal recovery, as the physical, mental and spiritual aspect of a person are intricately connected and one is not nurtured or neglected without the others being affected. When we see a symptom, whether mental or physical (or even spiritual), it is always imperative to search to find the true cause in order to find real healing, rather than simply putting a bandaid over the symptom in hopes it will go away. We hope this little note will help you on your way! ❤️
🌿🏋️💧☀️🚫🌬️🛌🙏