Sample Essay on:
Massage Therapy as Alternative Pain Management

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Essay / Research Paper Abstract

A 3 pages research paper on massage as a pain management strategy. Massage therapy is defined as "soft-tissue manipulation by trained therapists for therapeutic purposes" (Tan, et al, 2007, p. 195). Massage is offered in many styles and forms, such as "Swedish, reflexology, Shiatsu, Rolfing, and craniosacral" (Tan, et al, 2007, p. 195). Frequently, it is used as an adjunctive therapy that helps to prepared the patient for other interventions (Tan, et al, 2007). This discussion of massage therapy will examine its use as a strategy that can be used for pain management. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

Page Count:

3 pages (~225 words per page)

File: D0_khmtpain.rtf

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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:

(Tan, et al, 2007, p. 195). Frequently, it is used as an adjunctive therapy that helps to prepared the patient for other interventions (Tan, et al, 2007). The following discussion of massage therapy will examine its use as a strategy that can be used for pain management. A common pain complaint refers to back pain, but there are few treatments available for those individuals who are tortured by their backs. This is why many patients who suffer from lower back pain frequently seek out "complementary and alternative medicine therapies" (Sadovsky, 2004, p. 695). One of the most effective of these therapies has been shown to be massage therapy, which has been proven by empirical research to be more effective at relieving pain than placebo (Sadovsky, 2004). Another instance in which massage therapy provides an effective alternative pain management strategy is in regards to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. As CF progresses, treatment escalates and patients frequently experience pain "chest, head, back, limb, and abdominal pain" (Huth, et al, 2005, p. 328). CF pain may also intensify due to changes in musculoskeletal changes that are associated with shift in posture that occur as the patient struggles to breathe and also due to tissue irritation from coughing. Research studies show that the benefits that massage therapy provides for CF patients includes "pain relief, relaxation, improved pulmonary function, decreased anxiety, improved mood, and sleep" (Huth, et al, 2005, p. 328). After a detailed review of the empirical evidence available on massage therapy for CF patients Huth, et al (2005) support this alternative pain therapy and recommend that nurses implement this strategy into their pain management plans. One research study contrasted massage and acupuncture, in regards to pain relief, and massage was determined to be the superior of the two. Furthermore, some studies ...

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