London, UK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/10/2014 --The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) citing the results of the 2014 study conducted by The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and The National Institutes of Health concluded that frequent 60-minute massages showed greater efficacy and alleviation of neck pain than fewer or shorter massage doses.

The randomized study investigated 228 participants, complaining of nonspecific neck pain, who received massage treatments with variations in length or frequency of treatment in order “to evaluate the optimal dose of massage for individuals with chronic neck pain” (Sherman et al 2014). Participants, who received more frequent 60-minute treatments displayed significant improvement over the participants, who received shorter or less frequent massages, based on the pain scales used in the study and after adjustments for demographics such as age or other covariates.

Neck pain is a chronic condition that may result in high medical costs and frustration for the patient and health care provider. Massage is no longer a spa or luxury treatment, but a mainstream inclusion in a whole-body regime to improve physical and mental health, reduce pain and stress, increase circulation, heighten immunity, and enhance athletic performance. With global obesity and Type II Diabetes at an all-time high, regular exercise, a healthful diet, routine stretching, and a holistic and alternative approach to well-being are the modern solutions to health and wellness.

The 2013 Mayo Clinic’s Stress Management article, Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits, discusses the expansion of massage therapy, which is now “offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports as part of complementary and alternative medicine for a wide range of medical conditions and situations including myofascial pain syndrome, soft tissue strains or injuries, and sports injuries” (Mayo Clinic. 2013).

The NCCAM study and Mayo Clinic article demonstrate the importance of massage with regard to pain elimination or reduction and improvements in osteopathic impairments.

The study itself also mentions a valid point that having numerous long massages each week can be very time-consuming and costly to most sufferers. This is where innovative web platforms, offering expert insight into the health topics of today start playing a significant role in people’s wellness. WatchFit expert, Dr. Joel Lindeman, in his article Effective ways to heal a stiff neck, offers exercises and suggestions alternative to massage to help one alleviate neck pain. These may not be as relieving as an actual massage, but inevitably provide a home remedy for those aiming to heal or prevent a stiff neck.

About WatchFit
WatchFit is a health and wellness web platform with an expanding library of top-quality material provided by athletes, coaches and experts across various topics related to health, fitness performance and diet. Watchfit has recently launched a free app, providing entire plans by internationally renowned experts, Olympic medalists, and celebrity trainers, covering all fitness and dietary aims and goals.

Contact: Leslie M. Olsen, MPA

Email: team@watchfit.com

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References

Lindeman, J. (2014). Effective ways to heal a stiff neck. WatchFit. Retrieved from: http://watchfit.com/general-health/how-to-heal-a-stiff-neck/

The Mayo Clinic. (2013). Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits. Healthy Lifestyle. Stress Management. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (2014). Multiple 60-Minute Massages per Week Offer Relief for Chronic Neck Pain. Retrieved from: http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/060214

Sherman, K.J., Cook, A.J., Wellman, R.D., Hawkes, R.J., Kahn, J.R., Deyo, R.A., and Cherkin, D.C. (2014). Five-week outcomes from a dosing trail of therapeutic massage for chronic neck pain. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and The National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24615306