Post COVID-19 VS Fibromyalgia

A few days ago I received a message from a colleague of mine, who is my student, my patient, and my friend.

“I’ve been talking to some of my fibro survivors. Many have symptoms of the post-viral syndrome and many have a history of neck trauma like whiplash or fractures. Could this be the double whammy? Neck injuries later create a post-viral looking syndrome almost like post-concussion syndrome?”

The Covid-19 post-viral stories seem to be motivating people to look at their own fibro histories and that’s no accident,

Certainly, we are not treating symptoms only and, if we try that, it wouldn’t work. There are many dysfunctions that have different causes that in turn lead to the same dysfunctions, and of course, produce similar symptoms. We cannot view a disorder, dysfunction,  or illness of any organ or system as an individual disorder, dysfunction, or illness. Similarly, we cannot achieve real and sustainable results if we focus our efforts on treating individual disorders, dysfunctions, or illnesses.

I would reiterate. Many times we believe that we are addressing a particular individual disorder, dysfunction, or illnesses, but in reality and by nature, massage therapy is a comprehensive treatment.

Now, if you will read this article, Massage therapy is a beneficial tool in the treatment of Fibromyalgia you will understand, that there are multiple causes for fibromyalgia developments, including and not limited to hormonal changes, physical and /or emotional trauma, exposure to toxins, and accumulation of toxins. All mentioned above causes trigger tension buildup in muscles in the entire body. This buildup of tension disturbs microcirculation, leads to a drop of pH, which in turn leads to activation of the pain analyzing system, resulting in constant muscular pain all over the body.

These pain impulses constantly bombard the central nervous system, causing clinical depression, sleep disorders, and leading to the condition of foggy brain, including disturbances of some brain functions, suppressing the immune system, and triggering autonomic dysfunctions. We are starting our treatment from the level of muscles. The biggest point of this approach is that by addressing muscles and reducing tension in them we increase lymphatic drainage; accelerate venous blood drainage, balancing autonomic activities. By doing this we not only decrease pain sensation but practically contribute to the normalization of organ and system functions.

Let’s read about the physiological effect of massage.

“Two factors define the physiological effect of massage on humans:1. The local or mechanical factor is expressed by the mechanical acceleration of venous blood drainage, some degree of lymph drainage acceleration, passive exercise for soft tissues, breaking down deposits of calcium in soft tissue and stimulation of its removal from the body.

2. The main power of massage therapy is in reflexive therapy. By mobilizing skin, connective, and muscular tissue, we deform the mechano-receptors, which in turn release action potentials/impulses. Through neurological pathways, these electrical impulses stimulate motor and vasomotor centers. As a reflex or involuntary reaction of organs and systems to original stimuli, the body responds by expressing positive changes such as muscular relaxation, vasodilation, reduction of blood pressure, reduction of stress hormones production, etc.”

As you can see, the original stimuli by massage is a comprehensive simulation, and not only triggering muscular relaxation, etc. The same techniques and especially kneading techniques, positively affect functions of all organs and systems.

Organs and systems all should work in biological balance. If organs and systems are not working in the regime of biological balance then people forever consume medications, and never sustain good health.

What happened with our body at any post-viral infection, and especially after being affected by brutal Covid-19?

I am working with Post Covid-19 patients. Practically all of them demonstrate autonomic irregularity, and especially suppressed parasympathetic impulse conduction. No doubt that lymphatic drainage/detoxification is an insufficient measure to address this. First of all, it is because of the buildup of muscular tensions, as a reaction to the accumulation of toxins; a typical chain of negative reactions. Therefore, since symptoms are similar, and the bottom line starting a level of muscles, then massage protocol for post-viral rehabilitation shouldn’t be much different than fibromyalgia protocol as well. I recommend learning to add freeing acetylcholine techniques to the existing protocol. It accelerates the healing process.

We, as massage therapists, see body and mind as one functional mechanism. Therefore let’s add psychological trauma to that paradigm as well. We must remember about the power of the placebo but we cannot count on placebo, without considering nocebo. Therefore, as much as possible, we must guard our client’s perception during the treatment, incorporating human factors and energy work.

You’re welcome to read this article Science of Massage Institute THE PLACEBO EFFECT AND ITS ROLE IN MASSAGE THERAPY. PART II

At this very moment I’m emotionally overwhelmed and am thinking on the comprehensive power of massage, hallelujah, it is a blessing and privilege to be a massage therapist.

I believe we can construct an extremely important discussion that possibly can help many of us, to understand even better the real holistic power of massage therapy.

Best wishes.

Fixing VS. Rehabilitating

Hi all,

Recently I was invited by a large company that provides certifications for fitness specialists, to teach the post-exercise recovery certification program. I was happy to participate because as much as exercise contributing to health and wellness it might have side effects such as buildups of tension in muscles. Only the buildup of muscular tension alone is a precondition for sports-related injuries; it also impedes sports performance.

Any dysfunction in our body like, for example, the buildup of tension in muscles, triggers the chain of negative developments. Similarly rehabilitated from certain dysfunction, our body reacts by multiple positive changes in the functions of organs and systems.

Post-event rehabilitative sports massage, including self-post-event rehabilitative massage, plays a crucial role in the recuperation from the post-exercise/physical activities. Of course, my presentation was based on scientific facts, including the physiological effect of massage on the human body, the necessity of 50% of the time procedure to spend on kneading techniques, and is clinically proven.

The producer of this program is a  recognized authority in the field of fitness. He actually directed filming, stopped me from time to time, and asked me for additional explanations. It was fun, because being the fitness expert, he knew exactly what he wanted to hear and learn from me.

I demonstrated on a model, as well as on myself, while at the same time providing a detailed explanation that included a talk on the necessity for the best outcome, 50% of the time to spend on kneading, etc.

During the break, he said: “I paid attention, you really dividing the time of massage and spending 50% of the time on kneading.
I said: “Sir, as you could see I didn’t look at my watch. It’s just a habit.” Then the next day, I decided to review my again long ago produced footage.

 

Indeed, during 50  minutes of that nonstop hands-on presentation, I spend approximately 25 minutes on different types of kneading/petrissage techniques. It is an important habit to develop.

Today I have had the opportunity to review and to approve footage of the certification program for fitness experts.

My goodness, I couldn’t even suspect, that the program was so substantial.  I was happy to contribute.

Using the opportunity would like to share with you an interesting story.

As I have requested, the producer brought a model for me to demonstrate. The model was a young fellow, a competitive athlete who was in the middle of the preparation for Olympian trials, running 1500. When we finished filming, he complained about the pain in his right lower back, hip, and lateral knee. It’s really bothered him while practicing.

I decided to provide him with the treatment in front of the camera. The supervisor at the set told me, “Boris, don’t worry. If you won’t fix him up, we would not include this footage in the video.

The conversation was in front of the camera and I said:
”Sir, no one in the healthcare field can guarantee the outcome, and if I won’t succeed in one treatment, it would be ok. The pathology needs to be addressed.  All I am doing is, I’m stimulating the healing process and process means time. I don’t expect that after one treatment he will be like new but, of course, evidence some minimal improvement is possible.

I did all assessments, including assessment of a range of motion of a hip, straight leg, and performed diagnostic palpation. I observed a very limited range of motions in practically every plane and axis. Each movement, accompanied by the pain sensation in the lower back, gluteal muscles, especially in the tensor fasciae latae muscle.  The muscles exhibited a lot of tensions, I  detected tensions in the fascia and I palpated numerous trigger points. During the massage I addressed all mentioned abnormalities, as well as performed post isometric relaxation techniques, to balance energy within muscles.

As a result, the range of motion was increased and the movements didn’t trigger pain sensation. When he stood up from the table, he reported feeling better and two days after the treatment he reported feeling even better.

I will for sure call him for more treatments. It is good that after one treatment, we have got much improvement. The question is though “Is it possible to sustain results after one treatment?”  The answer is NO. It is impossible to sustain results regardless of how well one reacts to the first few treatments.

Coronavirus is not going anywhere

From the author

Forty years out of my forty-six years of clinical experience I have combined clinical work with teaching Medical and Sports Massage. I always loved it, and sharing my knowledge in massage procedures, is my passion.

However the last 3 months I was craving to teach as I have rediscovered for myself an additional unique and specific power of massage. Each of us, during their career, does something that according to their personal assessment, is the most remarkable work. I consider this article and the upcoming instructional video as the remarkable work in my career.

Having said that, I have a little concern because many reliable people told me, that lately, the very culture of learning changed. Thanks to the Internet and social media, people are not ready to read more than a few sentences.

Although this is probably true for most people, still I think it depends on what a person is trying to learn. Some general information or something else that is not related to massage therapy can make people lose interest. Well, I don’t blame millennials as well as older people. I grew up without the Internet and still, many times once realizing that what I read isn’t the topic of my interest, I stopped reading.

Hopefully, the topic I am teaching will be the topic of your interests, and you will read the materials, and watch carefully my hands-on performances, so that you can learn in detail, and then will implement it on people, who really need your help, need to bring back the quality of their lives. When we decided to provide therapies by means of massage, we took upon ourselves an obligation. Training, the advance of skills, helping us successfully to fulfill mission. Besides the ability to deliver rapid and sustainable results, allow us to build a professional reputation, and to create a successful business. It feels good.

Good luck and best wishes

Introduction

 

If we step back from the anxiety around coronavirus and to think rationally, deep down inside each of us knows Covid-19 is not going anywhere. It will stay with us like other seasonal flu. At some point time, we will have immunization shots, as well as therapeutic medications in case if one will get infected.

Being exposed to this infection, and getting sick, we will have medications similar to Tamiflu that we have in cases of influenza A and B, or if we would have a strong immune system, it just will kill this infection and we will acquire natural immunization.
To summarize my introductory, coronavirus goes nowhere.
PS. This writing, including links to related articles. You are welcome to read them. I always read articles starting from conclusions and summaries. It usually indicating whether the topic suits your interest. So I advise you to treat my articles likewise.

Revelation

 

This difficult coronavirus period of my life allowed me to rethink our mission, to see the real, much broader picture than I knew before, in regards to the huge role we can play in people’s life. It literally allowed me to experience my personal Eureka moment. After so many years of practicing medical and sports massage, I see my occupation as the most important methodology of treatment in the entire health care field. I mean it. It isn’t difficult to defend what I just said.

In any case, my first impulse on the pandemic was to write the article

“Detoxification and immune systems sufficiency”

I recommend reading this article carefully.

Of course, my first reaction in fighting coronavirus was to stimulate the immune system. Great goal, really empowering the immune system. We must know this protocol. Emotional reactions are powerful. Now when I am rethinking all I have written so far, including the realization” Coovid-19 goes nowhere” my question is:” an excessive amount of metabolic waste/toxins accumulations, is it suppressing only the immune system? Can the human body function well when accumulating metabolic waste?

No, it cannot function normally when accumulating excessive metabolic waste. The following articles will be the opportunity to reveal the negative chain of reaction. Including but not limited to metabolic toxins blocking acetylcholine/neurotransmitter, disturbing parasympathetic impulses conductions to internal organs, and following disease developments.

BTW,  this unique offer will only be available for another 7 days

The discounted price on DVD#5, won’t be available anymore. Please consider that at this DVD, I am presenting hands-on step-by-step acceleration of lymph drainage/detoxification techniques, as well as protocol for bronchial asthma including techniques for bronchial drainage. I have no financial hand in this, just recommend to take advantage.

Then I wrote this article.

Pre-event sports massage against COVID-19

The question that I pose in this article… Is the freeing acetylcholine technique a must-do technique only in cases of coronavirus? Probably we won’t be able to provide treatment for people who have been already infected and hospitalized, and whose disease is in progress. Although I’m positive that it would be a very powerful treatment not only at the time of prevention but also at the early stages of the disease, including preventing and suppressing cytokine storms. Soon I will be able to provide not just empty scientific talks but data, and clinical outcomes. We have the right to do our own speculations, and if this speculation is clinically proven and reproduced outcomes numerous times, then this is scientifically and clinically proven facts.

Lately, I provided many treatments not related to pre-event sports massage where I included freeing acetylcholine technique. From what I’m seeing now, (if you wish this is my clinical, scientifically based conclusion) as far as clinical outcomes are concerned, the release of acetylcholine technique must be incorporated in each and every medical and sports massage protocol.

Then I felt like writing this article

Can massage techniques be equated with remedies?

When I’m writing for you guys or when I am teaching classes I am always learning by myself as well, improving understanding and my hands-on skills.

Thinking about my audience, I always feel inspired, inspired as a massage therapist. I hope that I also can inspire you to learn this very simple concept, as well as very easy to perform techniques.

Techniques that never the less have huge power.
Looking forward to seeing you in my future classes. I am inspired.

Best wishes

Medical Massage VS. Short Memory Loss

Hi All,

As I have mentioned in the article below, I’ve met a researcher, 64 years old male, who has developed a significant short memory loss. His colleagues, family members, and, of course, he was worried. Yesterday, I have provided him with treatment number 11. It was an unbelievable, obvious improvement! The neurologist administered a cognitive test which also evidenced this excellent improvement. The patient himself reported it as well. Family members as well as colleagues, now seeing a different person. Data such as normalization of autonomic activities, and different blood tests, positively improved. In addition to the usual techniques, I included freeing acetylcholine techniques.

Last several years I successfully treated many post-traumatic as well as not related to trauma brain dysfunctions.

Still, even compared to these successful cases, the improvement of the last case was pretty rapid. In truth, I don’t have sufficient evidence to attribute this rapid improvement to freeing acetylcholine techniques exclusively. While administering the treatments, I also performed acceleration of cerebral spinal fluid drainage techniques and the techniques allowing balance sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. As always fifty percent of the time I spent performing kneading. In addition to the standard post-concussion protocol, I also spent considerable time implementing freeing acetylcholine techniques. All the testing was done before and after the massage procedure. Most likely soon I will have access to data, pertaining to some such cases including the data for this case.  I am doing a particular job for this research project and won’t have access to other data, but most likely for the data related to massage procedure.

Of course, I would submit it to Dr. Ross for interpretation. On the other hand, scientists used these techniques in their research and subsequently published a paper in Science Translational Medicine. Mostly these techniques were composed of kneading and the techniques for freeing acetylcholine.

If somebody would ask for references, I would refer people to read that article.

Below are excerpts from my recent article.

Let’s note that practically all medical doctors read “Science Translational Medicine.” The reputation of this publication is not less than the reputation of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The entire medical community, if it’s something published at these publications, considering and accepting as written in stone.

On February 2nd, 2012 we witnessed a press release, a grand recognitions of massage therapy, recognition of its extreme healing power. Below are the few samples of this release. In reality, however, it was much broader publicized, including TV reports.

Massaging muscles may reduce inflammation, spur mitochondria formation. USA Today (2/2, Vergano) reports in “Science Fair” that according to a study in Science Translational Medicine, “kneading muscles reduces inflammation and spurs cellular energy production.” In the experiments, researchers found that “massaged muscle cells had higher activation of gene pathways that spur mitochondria,” as well as “fewer signs of painful inflammation.” However, “massage didn’t lower levels of lactic acid build-up in muscles often blamed for the ‘burn’ in exercise.”

 The Los Angeles Times (2/2, Brown) reports

“Massage also seemed to help cells recover by boosting amounts of another protein called PGC-1alpha, which spurs the production of new mitochondria.” The Times adds that according to researcher Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, “exercise is the best way to reverse damage caused by common conditions including diabetes, obesity, and aging.”

Bloomberg News (2/2, Lopatto) reports that in the study.

 “subjects were exercised to exhaustion, which took about 70 minutes. One leg was massaged; the other wasn’t. Both were biopsied immediately after the therapy and 2.5 hours later. The massaged leg showed slower production of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, both linked to inflammation.”

 According to the Wall Street Journal (2/2, Hobson) “Health Blog,”

 “the researchers hypothesized that reducing the production of molecules linked to inflammation may be similar to the action mechanisms of aspirin and ibuprofen, both anti-inflammatory drugs.”

 WebMD (2/2, Goodman) reports

“In recent years, a number of studies have shown that remedies for muscle soreness that work by turning down inflammation — things like ice baths or anti-inflammatory medications — may also have a downside. They may also block muscle repair and growth, which depends on inflammation.” However, according to Tarnopolsky, this study suggests that massage may be “an intervention that suppresses the inflammatory response but still allows, and actually enhances the [recovery] response.”

 Also covering the story are HealthDay (2/2, Preidt) and the UK’s Daily Mail(2/2).

It is valuable data. I’m positive that the same research team soon would come forward with additional and even more significant data. The value of this research is not only in the importance of the obtained data itself but also because it was exposed through publishing in “Science Translational Medicine.”

Because this paper was accepted by and published in Science Translational Medicine, many medical doctors had the opportunity to read it. Should these materials be published by any other publications, excluding the New England Journal of Medicine, it wouldn’t have made such an effect, let alone it might not be taken seriously. Luckily, the materials published at Science Translational Medicine, are perceived as “written in stone.”

This is the nature of acceptance by medical doctors. It has to be published in a certain publication, where the editorial board will protect a publication from weak and not reliable study reports. Science Translational Medicine is one such publishing authority.

Here is the link to the article, I have mentioned at the beginning of this writing.

https://medicalmassage-edu.com/a-professor-of-medicine-didnt-ask-for-references/

Conclusion

 

Soviet scientists developed these techniques by means of research. I can testify on the sufficiency of these techniques when performing pre-event sports massage. BTW, lately, I have incorporated freeing acetylcholine techniques, in many medical massage protocols. They proved to be a powerful addition not only of a pre-event sports massage but also of many different protocols.

If a professor of medicine cared less about references, why I as a clinician should care about it more than he does? I know about the scientific origin of these techniques and protocols because I learned to implement them step-by-step, hands-on.

I would like to extend our clinically oriented discussion.

In over 46 years of my clinical practice, I didn’t have much use for bio-chemistry, which to be honest I buried into oblivion right after the exams for this subject were taken. That’s why I supplicate to the profound knowledge of Dr. Ross in providing a biochemical analysis and interpretation of the experimental data. Being also a clinician, he would disclose these results in the language that the rest of the clinicians could understand.

For us clinicians, massage protocols is a developed product. Of course, we must understand what we are doing with our hands but not on the level of biochemical reactions. We must learn hands-on protocols and be able to use them to perfection. As clinicians, we put science to work and that work has little to do with intellectual demagoguery.

I cannot wait when my instructional video would be ready. In that video, I am providing detailed clinically oriented, theoretical information, but mostly demonstrating hands-on techniques, explaining science-based details from the treatment room.

 

Summary

 

Data that produced in a research setting is even more significant than the data published in Science Translational Medicine.

One of the scientists from the group who analyzed the research paper published at Science Translational Medicine asked me, why my massage procedure produced so much data of high significance?

I told him that I strictly follow every medical massage protocols, and obey the rules of engagements, such as

• Produce only an allowed amount of pressure.
• If present, addressing buildups of tension within the fascia.
• If present, addressing each trigger point.
• Spend time on the circulatory massage
• Making strokes strictly toward the heart
• Accelerate drainage of venous blood,
• Dedicate at least 50% of the time to kneading
• Minimize disconnect of my hands from the patient’s body

I have acquired a lot of experience and perfected the performance of freeing acetylcholine techniques. I think that more precise and more dedicated work produces a difference in the outcome. He teased me that what I describe sounds like hard labor. I retorted that following a step-by-step protocol is actually easy physically and emotionally.

Guys, the craft of massage is in detail. Scientists providing hands-on details, and when we perform massage we should following instructions including every detail by the book. I guarantee, it is much easier than not to follow protocol and omit important details.

Hope soon to see you in one of my classes. Never before I was so motivated to teach as I am motivated now.

Best wishes,

Boris

The recognition of massage therapy as healthcare methods of treatment

Introduction

Recently I have had communication with LMT, who in the past took my CE classes.

In the middle of our discussion she said:” you Boris are a very advanced massage therapist, if all of us would be as advance as you are, massage therapists might be recognized as a healthcare provider. “

“Of course,” I said, “thank you for the compliment, but what does it mean to be advanced massage therapist, and what does it mean to be recognized as a healthcare provider?”

Somehow she had had difficulties to provide a clear definition of what “advanced massage therapist” is, as well as to describe the meaning of being a healthcare provider. I have comforted her, saying:” some time ago, our professional community was involved in vigorous discussions on the subject: What does it take to be a recognized healthcare provider?”

Many talked about the necessity of extended academic education, some expressed the opinion that in order to be recognized as healthcare professionals we must have a degree; a lot of discussions were about science, more research, about getting scientific … whatever it implied. Many community members, believed in an advanced massage program.

Some of my colleagues defined “advance,” as being able to successfully treat painful back and limp disorders.

At the time, I didn’t have a strong opinion. However, I believed then and believe now, that no matter what protocols of massage therapy one practices, first and foremost they must be efficient clinically, capable to deliver faster and sustainable results. Only then one can talk about the recognition of the healthcare profession or being called advanced MT.

A few times during these discussions, I asked for a clear definition in regards to:” What does it mean to be recognized as a healthcare provider?”

I received many variegated answers. Mainly my colleagues expressed beliefs, that to be recognized as healthcare professionals, meant to be paid by insurance.

 

I didn’t know much about US massage fields

 

When I arrived in America, I was under the impression that everyone practiced the same kind of massage therapy. Little by little I understood that this wasn’t exactly true.  This unfamiliarity with what other massage therapists were doing made it difficult for me to come up with the aforementioned definition.

Most of the students who graduated from my massage school also took my CE classes perusing their interest in learning additional protocols.  However, that exposure didn’t get me any closer to realizing the entire gamut of what went on in the field.

However, since taught classes at the World Massage Festival, I am not only met hundreds of massage therapists but could see them working on tables and exchange ideas. That was enough to paint the general picture.

I had a great impression. In other words, first-time I have got the opportunity to see and understand what other people did. This experience allowed me to arrive at the conclusion that as a professional community, we are good at what we do.  Being a presenter at the World Massage Festival convention, I had the opportunity to express my opinion:” We are good in what we do but the sky is limit when coming to developments of skills.” Most if not all, agreed with me.

Again, back then I didn’t have an opinion on the subject, but now I do and would like to share it with you in this article.

The overview of massage therapy fields.

As a matter of fact, we are the front door providers of therapies by means of massage. We are seeing patients in our own offices and answering house calls.

Also, we are practice at doctor’s offices, including and not limited to chiropractors and physical therapy offices, as well as we are practicing at spas and massage centers.

To be an  advanced massage therapist

In general, Medical Massage contains more than 65 protocols for treatment of different disorders including protocols for neck and upper back disorders, not limited to thoracic outlet syndrome, lower back disorders, including sciatica, lumbalgia, myofascial syndromes like piriformis muscular syndrome, hip, knee, and other joints disorders. It also includes protocols for treatment of sprain strain type of injuries, pregnancy massage, Postpartum rehab massage, protocols for fibromyalgia, stress management massage, tension headaches, TMJ disorders, migraines headaches, sleep disorders, post concussions rehab massage, and much more.

Who of us is trained and to perform all these protocols?

Are there massage practitioners who practice all the mentioned protocols? If so, would they be considered advanced? We all have our own specialties, and in my opinion, if applying particular protocols one is capable of delivering sustainable results, they should be considered advanced and good massage therapists. If one to define what“advanced massage therapist” is, they must pose a question “compared to whom?”

This discussion started 15 years ago, and I have submitted my commentary to Massage Today August 2005, Vol. 05, Issue 08

These are a few sentences from this article:” Modern society as a whole is susceptible to stress. Stress-related illnesses include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, clinical depression, and more (and it should be noted that the American economy is losing $300 billion annually due to stress-related illnesses). Full-body stress management massage is scientifically and clinically proven as a powerful method for managing stress.

There is little doubt that those suffering from back pain have a disrupted quality of life. However, people are not dying from back or joint pain. People are dying from stress-related heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes; therefore, how can we consider therapists who perform full-body stress management massage anything less than advanced massage practitioners?”

The following excerpt is also from the same 15 years ago article:” For the past 40 years in Europe, the educational training in full-body stress management massage has stayed between 120-200 hours. I strongly believe that 120 hours for full-body medical massage training is enough. Therapists who would like to be involved in the treatment of specific disorders should have additional specialized training. And therapists not trained in how to treat particular disorders should not attempt to treat them.

Consider this: The credential “DDS” stands for “Doctor of Dental Surgery.” This type of doctor is qualified to legally perform surgery in the cavity of the mouth; however, if this dentist evaluates a patient and discovers a tumor or difficult tooth extraction, he/she will refer the patient to an oral surgeon. An oral surgeon is also a DDS but has had special training in oral surgery. Suppose a dentist who can legally perform extractions causes harm to a patient and is sued for malpractice. The plaintiff will inevitably demand proof that the dentist has had additional training/continuing education to treat the plaintiff’s specific complication. Professional difficulties are sure to arise for the dentist who lacks the proper training needed to perform a procedure. This analogy pertains to massage therapists, as well. Just because a dentist is not an oral surgeon, does not mean that he/she is not a qualified dentist. And so it is in our profession. Not being a specialist in a particular discipline or, conversely, having hundreds or thousands of hours of training, does not make one therapist better than another.”

Nowadays, especially in 2020, exposure to stress grew in pandemic proportions and really destroys lives. If one’s specialty is stress management massage protocol and they deliver great outcomes, I personally would consider them advanced massage therapists.

Here is the link to my video where I’m explaining debilitation of stress on our health

https://medicalmassage-edu.com/the-mechanism-of-stress-debilitation-of-human-health/

I receive training to perform 65 + protocols, but I don’t practice them routinely. There was a period in my career when the main emphasis of my practice was placed on pre-event and post-event sports massage and treatment of sports-related sprain/strain type injuries. Then there was a period I was more interested in treating painful lower back neck and upper back chronic disorders. After that, I switched to the treatment of fibromyalgia patients. Then my main interest changed to treating patients with concussions. Lately, it’s extended to the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma and boosting or balancing patients’ immune systems. I talked about it in this article. If some of you missed it or will have an interest you’re welcome to click.

.https://medicalmassage-edu.com/is-it-necessary-for-a-learning-process-to-be-entertaining/

My treatment interests often changed reflecting the referrals that I received.

When rheumatologists, massively used to refer to me fibromyalgia patients, it was exhausting work, but I enjoyed it, as well as treating those patients suffering from concussions, or bronchial asthma patients or those who needed boosting of their immune system. I was trained on how to perform these protocols, and perfected them, performing them on hundreds of patients.

The stress management protocol was always my main interest. I consider stress management massage a fundamental for all types of massage procedures. Actually, any medical massage protocol should be started with the introductory massage, aiming at increasing the threshold of pain, then fifty percent of procedure time must be spent on kneading. Of course, one must perform introductory massage on a particular body part. If to address full-body by spending fifty percent of the time on kneading, as well as performing circulatory techniques, movement directions to the heart, to accelerate the drainage of vines blood, one can call it Swedish full body stress management massage, or medical full-body stress management massage protocol. The bottom line is, you are addressing and balancing autonomic activities.

Friends, I’m encouraging everyone to learn and study from good sources.

If one would have a desire to learn many protocols, go for it. Here in the US, having my own massage – school for more than 20 years, most of my graduates took the main school program, and then continuing taking CEs programs of their interest, accumulated  800 + hours of training .it was paid off, tremendously advance their career. Don’t get me wrong, I am for education. Though, in my opinion, we can consider a one to be advanced if they are excellent in stress management, or specializing and perfecting skills, and successfully reproducing outcomes treating some particular disorders. Advance is the ability to deliver faster and sustainable results.

In order to be recognized as healthcare professionals we must have a degree?

In my opinion, this depends on the particular circumstances. As I have said, regardless of all the available education, a clinician must be able to deliver results.

Let’s say if you are an RMT and or DMT. The process is similar in the physical therapy field.

How would it make one recognized as a healthcare provider? Would Medicare start paying us for treatments? And why? Only because we are holding a Master’s degree in massage therapy, or we extended our training to Dr. in massage therapy DMT? I don’t believe Medicare or any insurance for that matter would cover our services because of RMT or DMT after our names.

Also placing a diploma against painful spots won’t make any difference in the condition of our patient. When we placing our well-trained hands on a patient we make a difference, receive the recognition from that patient; this patient then introduces us to doctors and refers other people to us.

There are a lot of talks was about science, about doing more research, about getting “scientific” in order to be recognized as a healthcare provider.

At this point, I know, the sentence above, doesn’t make much sense, as it won’t lead us to the recognition as healthcare providers.

Not long ago Dr. Ross, participated in clinical scientific research/trial, the effect of medical massage in cases of tension headaches. I would classify tension headaches as say pandemics.

It was done by a US neurological clinical and research Center. The outcomes were tremendous. How did it help us to be nationally recognized as healthcare providers?  Who studied from his clinically and scientifically proven protocols, capable to deliver results in cases of tension headaches, got the recognition as a healthcare provider, they were recognized by patients, who terribly suffered from tension headaches, and got their lives back.

This scientifically and clinically proven protocol for hypertension. Link below. Until the day of today, I am reproducing outcome, getting recognitions from my patients, by physicians who are referring to me in these cases. This is clinically oriented science. Science has to work in the treatment room.

https://medicalmassage-edu.com/medical-massage-and-control-of-arterial-hypertension/

Please read carefully about scientific experiments I have repeated here in the US.

Professor Zabludovsly (1913) was the first one who explained the reflex effect on arterial circulation in non-massaged extremity. The phenomenon was confirmed later by many experimental and clinical studies (Guthberson, 1933; Ebel and Wisham, 1952; Belaya, 1974; Shtergertz, 1985, etc.)

In 2003, at Beverly laboratory of Vascular Studies, I repeated Professor Zabludovsly’s protocol. In Medical Massage Vol.2 text, Dr.Ross Turchaninov extended on this experiment. We have provided him with all the post-experimental data. In fact, a qualified massage therapist can reproduce the same outcome every time. To study this 15-25 minute protocol is simpler than studying many other simple step-by-step hands-on medical massage protocols.

The Beverly laboratory of Vascular Studies in California examined the effect of medical massage therapy on arterial blood circulation in lower extremities of healthy adults by using Pulse Volume Recording (PVR), Photoplethysmology (PPG) and Thermography (TMG). All these tests measured blood circulation on the opposite lower extremity, i.e. practitioners worked on the left extremity while circulation was measured on the right extremity. Peripheral circulation was measured before the experiment and after the application of Medical Massage. Major changes were registered in PVR, which is a pulsate volume of perfusion through the extremity.

Let’s briefly review the results of this study. The initial PVR registered on the right lower extremity was 0.81. After this parameter was registered, a medical massage practitioner applied the treatment of the lower extremity for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes of medical massage, PVR increased to 1.22 and continued to climb during the next 2 hours after the medical massage was over. At the end of the second hour, PVR value was 1.63, i.e. blood perfusion through the contralateral lower extremity showed a double increase even after the medical massage was over.

This study is a great example of the valuable effect of medical massage on peripheral blood circulation (Prilutsky, 2003). This is why patients with arterial circulation disturbances respond so well to Medical Massage.

It’s hard to overestimate the importance of contralateral extremities massage, in cases of fractures, surgeries, and significant other types of injuries when we cannot apply the massage techniques directly to the injured area. More than that, at the time of the experiment described above, my models agreed to wait only two hours in order, to allow us to perform PVR measurements. Two hours after the stopping treatment, it continued to increase PVR.

Back in the Soviet Union, we have repeatedly described protocols many times, and the reflex of increasing blood supply is sustained for an average of 15-18 hours. Isn’t this exciting? The stimulation by massage is already stopped, but during 15-18 hours after it is stopped, the body continues intensive healing! Remember after significant blood supply increase, abnormalities never come back to initial conditions, but after every treatment continues to improve.

Everyone who learned about the outcome of contralateral leg massage was amazed. I’m talking on the medical community, more than 30 of them. They praised me. If I’ve got a recognition, of course. Still, we aren’t talking about some form of national recognition whatever it might be.

Thus, here is my last point. Why more research won’t contribute to usual, Medicare/health insurance covered recognition of massage therapists?

Let’s note that practically all medical doctors read “Science Translational Medicine.” The reputation of this publication is not less than the reputation of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The entire medical community, it’s something published at these publications, considering and accepting as written in stone.

On February 2nd, 2012 we witnessed a press release, a grand recognitions of massage therapy, recognition of its extreme healing power. Below are the few samples of this release. In reality, however, it was much broader publicized, including TV reports.

Massaging muscles may reduce inflammation, spur mitochondria formation. USA Today (2/2, Vergano) reports in “Science Fair” that according to a study in Science Translational Medicine, “kneading muscles reduces inflammation and spurs cellular energy production.” In the experiments, researchers found that “massaged muscle cells had higher activation of gene pathways that spur mitochondria,” as well as “fewer signs of painful inflammation.” However, “massage didn’t lower levels of lactic acid build-up in muscles often blamed for the ‘burn’ in exercise.”

The Los Angeles Times (2/2, Brown) reports

“Massage also seemed to help cells recover by boosting amounts of another protein called PGC-1alpha, which spurs the production of new mitochondria.” The Times adds that according to researcher Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, “exercise is the best way to reverse damage caused by common conditions including diabetes, obesity, and aging.”

Bloomberg News (2/2, Lopatto) reports that in the study.

“subjects were exercised to exhaustion, which took about 70 minutes. One leg was massaged; the other wasn’t. Both were biopsied immediately after the therapy and 2.5 hours later. The massaged leg showed slower production of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, both linked to inflammation.”

According to the Wall Street Journal (2/2, Hobson) “Health
Blog,”

“the researchers hypothesized that reducing the production of molecules linked to inflammation may be similar to the action mechanisms of aspirin and ibuprofen, both anti-inflammatory drugs.”

WebMD (2/2, Goodman) reports

“In recent years, a number of studies have shown that remedies for muscle soreness that work by turning down inflammation — things like ice baths or anti-inflammatory medications — may also have a downside. They may also block muscle repair and growth, which depends on inflammation.” However, according to Tarnopolsky, this study suggests that massage may be “an intervention that suppresses the inflammatory response but still allows, and actually enhances the [recovery] response.”

Also covering the story are HealthDay (2/2, Preidt) and the UK’s Daily Mail(2/2).

It is a very valuable data. I’m positive that the same research team soon will come forward with additional and even more significant data. The value of this research is not only in the importance of the exposed data but also because this study was published at “Science Translational Medicine.”

Because this paper was accepted and published by Science Translational Medicine, many medical doctors had the opportunity to read it. Should these materials be published by any other publications, excluding the New England Journal of Medicine, it wouldn’t have made such an effect, let alone it might not be taken seriously. Luckily, the materials published at Science Translational Medicine, are perceived as “written in stone.”

This is the nature of acceptance by medical doctors. It has to be published in a certain publication, where the editorial board will protect a publication from weak and not reliable study reports. Science Translational Medicine is one such publishing authority.

Because the results of a massage procedure were so highly acclaimed by a reputable publication, did massage therapists received recognitions? Yes, many medical doctors congratulated me on the science behind massage. “Wow!” they said, ”It looks like have a real science supporting and explaining what you are doing!”

In discussions, a lot of people claimed:” To go scientific in order to be recognized as a healthcare provider?”

Friends, in summary, I will be able to express my opinion in regards to recognition. Actually I did it in my article but will do it differently in summary.

What I have learned, at the World Massage Festival Convention, is that many performed excellently but not many could explain the scientific side of massage procedure. During my career I knew many people, even worked with some, who had used extensions after their names such as MD or Ph.D. These educated people could explain most of the science behind massage, but their hands-on performance was terrible. When it comes to the subject of massage, I prefer good hands-on work to excellent academic background and impressive title but a terrible hands-on work. Having said that, I highly recommend studying the science behind massage.

There is no better textbook, than the one written by Dr.Ross Turchaninov

The links are below.

MEDICAL MASSAGE VOLUME I – Medical Massage

 

$50.00 MEDICAL MASSAGE VOLUME I – Medical Massage Medical massage is a unique publication. This book represents the Western view on medical massage and analyzes o…

 

 

 

$50.00 MEDICAL MASSAGE VOLUME I – Medical Massage Medical massage is a unique publication. This book represents the Western view on medical massage and analyzes o…

 

 

Some might say that Boris is biased and has a financial interest.

Friends, if you won’t buy this text from me, it won’t upset me. I’m not making living from distributing his books only. If you will purchase this book from other distributors, and little by little will learn on the science of massage, it would make me happy, it would unify us, it would allow you to talk to doctors on a different level. This knowledge would empower your human factor, which is science-based energy healing. All that I wrote about Dr. Ross and his textbook, I’m not only believe, I know this is the real source of Medical Massage.

Summary

There is a difference in the definition of what healthcare providers are depending on who is using this term.  It has one implication when used by medical bureaucrats and a different one when it stems from providing a cure for patients.

I consider myself, a hundred percent healthcare provider. I feel this way. As far as I know, my patients and referring physicians, recognizing me as a healthcare provider. Reiterating was said above, the capability to reproduce the outcome of massage procedure, make your healthcare provider.

Best wishes.