WELCOME to PD's weekly comment feature. This week's contributor is Dr. Jaspreet Singh, Vicks Senior Scientist.
The science of massage therapy
MASSAGE therapy is one of the most effective and widely used forms of alternative medicine. Research in this area has demonstrated beneficial effects in facilitating growth in infants, increasing alertness, decreasing stress, enhancing immune function & sleep, & reducing pain.
Massage leads to reduction in cortisol and norepinephrine levels, hormones which are increased in depressed individuals. This could explain the calming and relaxation benefits of massage. Massage in infants and toddlers has been shown to reduce sleep latency and increases time they are alert, awake and active.
In a recent study, massage with a lotion or oil by the mother was shown to have a shorter latency and longer duration of sleep for both mother and newborn. Newborns in the lotion massage group woke up fewer times at night and slept longer.
Studies have shown increase in natural killer cells following massage therapy which could suggest an improvement in immune function, as these cells are important to ward off viral infections.
Together with a parent's loving touch, a moisturizing and soothing rub with ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and mild fragrances like rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus can do wonders for a baby!
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 26 Jun 17
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