Loading ...Hypertension or high blood pressure can be deadly. It can, however, be treated and prevented with massage therapy in Tampa.
According to the American Heart Association, one out of every three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. That adds up to some 73 million adults. Hypertension also afflicts some two million US teens and children. All of these people have higher risks for heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, arterial aneurysm, arterial hardening, chronic renal failure and eye damage. Chronic high blood pressure often results in organ damage in the end. Invariably, high blood pressure shortens life expectancy.
High blood pressure refers to the pressure exerted on the arteries as they carry blood pumped out by the heart to the tissues and organs throughout the body. The blood pressure is measured by the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the higher pressure measured as the heart contracts and pumps out blood to the arteries. The diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure measured when the heart relaxes right after the contraction. To be within normal range, blood pressure should measure below 120/80. Blood pressure is considered pre-hypertension at 139/89 and high at 140/90.
It is important to detect high blood pressure early so that measures can be taken to normalize it. This prevents further complications. Medication is usually prescribed, accompanied by other treatments.
Emotional tension and stress are proven triggers of high blood pressure. Stress reduction therapies are, therefore, recommended for hypertensive patients. These include meditation, mind-body relaxation techniques, biofeedback techniques and progressive muscle relaxation techniques.
Massage has been proven to be most effective in decrease stress, anxiety and depression and in lowering blood pressure, though. This was shown in a study done by the Touch Research Institute, the University of Miami School of Medicine, and the Nova Southeastern University in Florida in May 1999.
The study observed thirty hypertensive adults whose blood pressures have been controlled in the last six months. They were divided randomly into two groups. One group was the massage therapy group while the other was the progressive relaxation group.
The massage therapy group was given thirty minute massage sessions twice a week for five weeks. Sessions were done in the afternoon or early evening.
The progressive relaxation group was taught to do self-administered progressive muscle relaxation exercises which they were made to do for thirty minutes twice a week for five weeks as well. Their sessions were also done in the afternoon or early evening.
Both groups were assessed before and after treatment. Current emotions were measured with the state anxiety inventory (STAI) Levels of the stress hormone cortisol were measured with saliva samples. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. Depressive symptoms were rated with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) questionnaire. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and hostility were further inventoried with the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) self-report symptom inventory. Urinary cortisol and catecholamines were also measured. These biologically active amines affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
When results were compared, both groups showed lower anxiety levels in the STAI and lower depression levels in the CES-D after five weeks of treatment. The massage therapy group, however, was the only one that showed decreases in sitting blood pressure levels, decreases in both salivary and urinary stress hormone levels, and lowered scores for depression, anxiety and hostility.
Various massage therapy styles can lower your blood pressure, including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage and – depending on your condition – pregnancy massage in Downtown Tampa, South Tampa, Hyde Park, Macdill AFB and 33629. You can go and cool down any time at your convenience.
Massage Envy – South Tampa
Contact Name: Rachel Dunning
3830 W. Neptune St. C-2
Tampa, FL 33629
Work: (813) 251-3300
Email: rachel.dunning@massageenvy.com
Website: http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/FL/South-Tampa.aspx
