Question by phillip b: why does massage work for so many mental emotional physical problems?
Here are the claims
Massage should be done to babies, children and adults and much soothing would take place were this in place without need for drugs, sedatives alcohol or other stimulants. if only this would go into every would be mums repertoire of dealing with their children. The results I am sure would be impressive.

Various combinations of oils for massage can be used however I have only experience with using the oils of peanut /olive and almond and I am sure there are many others which are of real benefit too. Also very good results have been obtained using tincture of myrrh.

Research in massage therapy has been ongoing for more than 120 years.
Here are some reported benefits of massage:

Preliminary results suggested cancer patients had less pain and anxiety after receiving therapeutic massage at the James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio.

Women who had experienced the recent death of a child were less depressed after receiving therapeutic massage, according to preliminary results of a study at the University of South Carolina.
Medical school students at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School who were massaged before an exam showed a significant decrease in anxiety and respiratory rates as well as a significant increase in white blood cells and natural killer cell activity, suggesting a benefit to the immune system

Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found massage beneficial in improving weight gain in HIV-exposed infants and facilitating recovery in patients who underwent abdominal surgery. At the University of Miami School of Medicine’s Touch Research Institute, researchers have found that massage is helpful in decreasing blood pressure in people with hypertension, alleviating pain in migraine sufferers and improving alertness and performance in office workers.

An increasing number of research studies show massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins (enhancing medical treatment). Although therapeutic massage does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It also can hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury.

Research has verified that:
Office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed better and were less stressed than those who weren’t massaged.
Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain, and itching in burn patients.
Abdominal surgery patients recovered more quickly after massage.
Premature infants who were massaged gained more weight and fared better than those who weren’t.
Autistic children showed less erratic behaviour after massage therapy.

According AMTA, massage helps both physically and mentally.

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The preterm babies who received massage therapy showed 47% greater weight gain and six-day shorter hospital stays than the infants who were not receiving massage. But is this study evidence of what loving touch can do spiritually, or rather what massage can do on a physiological level? Regardless, babies are not the only benefactors

Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness. Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy

Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
Reduces muscle spasms. Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion

Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work

Promotes deeper and easier breathing Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids

Reduces blood pressure Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain

Enhances the health and nourishment of skin Improves posture

Strengthens the immune system Treats musculoskeletal problems

Rehabilitation post operative Rehabilitation after injury (Source: AMTA

Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy
Fosters peace of mind Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
Helps relieve mental stress. Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately.
Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity.

Emotional Benefits.
Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch Fosters a feeling of well-being

Reduces levels of anxiety. Creates body awareness. Increases awareness of mind-body connection

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Answer by Gary Y
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