OPEN SHELVES: MASSAGE & AROMATHERAPY FOR HYPERTENSION

INTRODUCTION:

It is the scientific & therapeutic manipulation of soft tissues.
Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms feet or a device.
A person who was professionally trained to give massage was traditionally known as masseur(male)or masseuse(female).
In professional settings, patients were treated while lying on a massage table, sitting on a chair or lying on a mat.
It uses both stretching & pressure in a rhythmic fashion.
Aromatherapy is based on the usage of aromatic materials including essential oils & other aroma compounds, with claims for improving physical & psychological well being.
It is considered as a holistic healing treatment.

RESEARCH UPDATES ON MASSAGE:

A Systematic review found that massage reduces systolic blood pressure by about 7.39 mmHg & diastolic blood pressure by 5.04 mmHg in patients with pre-hypertension & hypertension.

SWEDISH MASSAGE: Mean systolic and diastolic BP were significantly reduced after Swedish massage therapy
Received massage for 10-15 minutes, 3 times a week for 10 sessions

a)Deep stroking frontal

b)deep stroking up & down eyes

c)deep stroking the chin & jaw

a)stroking the upper chest area

b)deep stroking the shoulders & neck

c)stroking around the neck

d)stroking the deep on vein

BACK MASSAGE: 90 patients with primary hypertension were selected & randomly divided into control & intervention group.
BP was measured & recorded twice a week before & after a 10 min of Swedish back massage & rest for 6 weeks.
In the intervention group, systolic & diastolic BP decreased to 6.44 mmHg & 4.77 mmHg respectively after back massage.
Mechanism:

Massage can facilitate response of parasympathetic nerve

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by repeated sensory stimulation

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thus reducing heart rate, BP & anxiety

AROMA FOOT MASSAGE:

After a 10-minute footbath

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participants performed an aroma foot massage for 45 minutes on themselves

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under the supervision of a well-trained instructor

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First, participants put the oil on their hands

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and inhaled the fragrance

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Next, they applied the oil to their legs

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and massaged them with sweeping and gliding strokes from their thighs to their toes using their fingers

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and the palms of their hands.

Participants also stimulated their acupuncture points at a moderate pressure and speed

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After the massage, participants laid on their back and relaxed for 5 minutes

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Participants were allowed to drink water

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and about 40 mL of hot ginger water during the process

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All participants performed these procedures 3 times a week for 4 weeks (a total of 12 times) during the intervention period.

The self-administered aroma foot massage intervention significantly decreases mean systolic & diastolic BP as well as the state anxiety score & tends to increase mental health related quality of life.
It may be an easy & effective way to improve mental health & blood pressure.

FOOT REFLEXOLOGY:

34 subjects were selected & randomly assigned into intervention & control group
Foot Reflexology was administered twice a week for 6 weeks &
Self administered massage was administered twice a week for 4 weeks for experimental group
There was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure & no changes in diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced compared to control group

RESEARCH UPDATES ON AROMATHERAPY:

Lavender, Ylang-Ylang & Bergamot Oil:

The application of aromatherapy was the inhalation method of blending oils with lavender, ylang-ylang and bergamot oil once daily for 4 weeks

Blood pressure ,pulse rate, subjective stress, state anxiety & serum cortisol levels were significantly reduced after 4 weeks of treatment.

Lavender Oil:

It contains linalool & linalyl acetate
Applying a few drops of lavender essential oil to handkerchief and inhaling it helps in reducing both systolic & diastolic BP & heart rate