Health Watch: Massage Therapy - KEVN Black Hills Fox

[massage]

The holiday season can be a fun and festive time, but it can also be stressful. In this week's Health Watch, Dr. Nancy Babbitt from Creekside Medical Clinic has advice on how to relieve some tension.

Babbitt says, 'Massage is generally considered to be part of the world of complementary and alternative medicine, but more and more there are studies showing many medical benefits to massage therapy. Especially in the area of reducing stress, reducing musculoskeletal pain, and reducing muscle tension. One of the most common reasons why I refer patients for massage therapy is for tension headaches.'

'Tension headaches usually come from tension in the shoulder and neck muscles and that tension will radiate up over the head and oftentimes settle behind one eye or the other or on one side of the head or the other. Oftentimes people will awaken with these headaches because of poor neck support during the night but they get confused or mixed up with migraine headaches. And as people know who have tension headaches, medications usually don't work very well.'

'But massage therapy works very well and a good massage therapist will know how to find and use the right amount of pressure treating the area of the neck and shoulder strain. There are many good and qualified massage therapists in Rapid City. They do have to go through special licensing and be certified. And it's important to make sure that your massage therapist is certified.'

'A typical massage will last about 30 to 60 minutes. Usually there's some type of medical questionnaire or intake with a massage therapist before the massage starts. Oftentimes people will undress to their comfort level and then you should be in a very relaxing and quiet environment.'

'And remember, massage therapy is a great idea for a Christmas gift as well. This is Doctor Nancy Babbitt from Creekside Medical Clinic.'

Be sure to tune in next Thursday night for another edition of Health Watch..

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