Neck pain can be caused by muscle strain or whiplash, but also can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, or degenerative disc disease.

Leg pain can be caused by the nerves that exit the spine in the lower back. They can become inflamed or pinched, and the pain may extend down the leg and even into the foot. 

A pinched nerve can also cause tingling, numbness, or weakness.

Consultation by a physician or chiropractor is recommended.

Fibromyalgia (FM) affects over 7 million people in the USA. FM is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome, which can first show up as pain in and around the joints, including the neck, shoulders, back, and hips, and can progress into widespread pain over the entire body.

FM patients can also suffer from tension headaches, fatigue, stiffness and sleep disorders. There are documented cases that are so severe, that the individuals spend entire days in bed.

Lyme's disease should be ruled out as part of the Fibromyalgia diagnosis, as the symptoms are quite similar.

Massage is the manipulation of the skin, the muscles, and the connective tissues, and is often used to relieve the common symptoms of many types of arthritis. 

People with arthritis who experience chronic symptoms may consider using massage on a regular or even a daily basis, to help manage their pain and stiffness, and also to help promote a better sleep. 

Spinal arthritis, which is also called degenerative joint disease, is the breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the spine, leading to low back pain. 

The facet joints are the joints in your spine, that make your back flexible and enable you to bend and twist. 

Nerves exit your spinal cord through these joints on their way to other parts of your body. 

Healthy facet joints have cartilage, which allows your vertebrae to move smoothly against each other without grinding.

Light to moderate pressure is recommended for arthritic conditions, and is key in the stimulation of the nerve receptors that convey signals to the brain. 

This stimulation can help alleviate pain, release serotonin, and promote relaxation when the heart rate and blood pressure lowers.

Deep tissue massage focuses on both the top layer and the deeper layers of muscles and tissues, and helps to relieve tension and/or pain in the muscles and the connective tissues, but may be inappropriate for some people with arthritis because it can aggravate the symptoms. 

Avoid massaging any areas of inflammation areas during flare-ups. 

Massage increases the activity level of the body's white blood cells, which work to combat viruses.

In 2010, researchers from Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. reported that people who undergo massage, experience measurable changes to their immune and endocrine response.

Blood samples were taken from 29 participants both before and after, one 45 minutes Swedish massage session, and the results showed significant changes in lymphocytes and white blood cells, which play a large role in defending the body from disease.

There was also a decrease in levels of the stress hormone Cortisol, which lowers the immune response.

Studies have shown that massage therapy can increase endorphines, serotonin & dopamine levels, all of which promote the feeling of well-being.

Studies have shown that massage also reduces cortisol levels, by as much as 53%. 

The University of Miami’s Touch Research Institute, has found a correlation between massage therapy and the body’s heartrate and cortisol levels – two indicators of stress. 

Cortisol can drive up blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and suppress the immune system.

More info on this subject will follow.

According to an article on the  NCBI  website, stress-related health issues are responsible for roughly 60% to 80% of primary care doctors visits.

Most people experience stress on various levels, and typically on a daily basis.

When one is under long-term stress, there will be higher and prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, which has been shown to have negative health effects, both physically and emotionally.

With increased Cortisol levels, the body is more likely to develop high calcium deposits in the arteries, which can cause plaque to build up in the circulatory system.

This is symptomatic of coronary heart disease. 

Long story short, if you’re under constant stress, it can impede your body’s most important functions, and lead to a number of health problems including:

• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Depression
• Headaches
• Heart disease.
• Suppressed thyroid function.
• Memory and concentration problems.
• Problems with digestion.
• Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia & diabetes.
• Decreased bone density.
• Decrease in muscle tissue.
• Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body.
• Weight gain.
•  Accelerated aging.

The emotional effects of stress include:

• Anxiety and/or panic attacks.
• Becoming cynical.
• Becoming over-sensitive and defensive.
• Feelings of hopelessness, general negativity, guilt, and/or isolation.
• Impaired mental processing.
• Interrupted sleep patterns.
• Impatience and irritability.

Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health,  and living your life to the fullest!

Please note that a licensed massage therapist who is specifically trained in massage for cancer patients, is the best way to administer massage therapy to the patient.

There are both pros and cons to massage therapy for cancer patients. Massage can increase lymphatic circulation, which can spread the disease through the lymphatic system.

However, a light massage is increasingly used to reduce pain, fatigue, nausea,  stress, anxiety, and depression, which can improve the patient's mood and a personal sense of well-being. 

From the NCBI website: A study from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, which included 1290 cancer patients and 12 licensed massage therapists, evaluated the changes in symptoms scores for pain, fatigue, nausea,  stress, anxiety, and depression.

Swedish massage, light touch massage, and foot massage were the 3 types of massage that were administered during the study. Swedish and Light Touch massage was found to be superior to a foot massage. 

The data from the symptom cards collected both before and at the end of the 1st session, showed that the levels indicated by scores decreased by approximately 50%, however the effects were short-term.

Massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which is probably the most underrated system in the human body. 

The lymphatic system is responsible for detoxifying the body, by the removal of older fluids from the tissues and transporting them to the lymph nodes, where they filter the wastes and return fresh fluids to your system.

The lymphatic system is also responsible for the absorption and transportation of fatty acids from the digestive systems, and stimulating the transportation of white blood cells to and from the lymph nodes and into the bones.