T.J. Samson | Destination Health | June 2021

Let’s face it: Life is often stressful, which is why it’s so important to take good care of your physi- cal and mental health. One soothing option for doing both is massage therapy at T.J. Regional Health. Massage therapy has been available at the T.J. Health Pavilion for several years, says massage therapist Anne Hodges, LMT, NCBTMB. It was offered in response to a need for more holistic care—care that treats the mind, body and spirit. Many people are surprised to know they can get massage therapy at the Pavilion, T.J. Samson or T.J. Health Columbia. “Once they know what massage is, it gives them a form of self-care, a moment to relax, step back and just breathe,” Hodges says. Hodges and fellow licensed massage therapist Mark Quigley provide the service within the Re- habilitation Services Department at T.J. Regional Health. Both are highly trained and experienced and can provide many types of massage therapies, including Swedish massage. In addition, Quigley’s specialty areas are ortho- pedic massage, sports and deep-tissue massage, and myofascial release. Hodges’ specialties are pre- natal massage, raindrop technique and Zero Bal- ancing massage. She also holds two master teacher certifications in Usui Reiki and Karuna Reiki. GOOD FOR THE BODY AND MIND Massage therapy has both physical and emotional wellness benefits, Hodges says. It can be a great way to provide relief from everyday tension and stress and can be used as a treatment plan for cer- tain medical conditions. For example, massage may help with shoulder and neck tension, tight muscles, low-back pain, headaches, and sports injuries. It also may benefit blood circulation, blood pressure and the immune system, along with anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue, Hodges says. For moms-to-be, prenatal massage can help ease pregnancy discomforts. But relaxation is one of the main reasons people seek massage. “Massage is very good for the maintenance of your overall well-being,” Hodges says. “People sleep better when they receive a massage. It’s fan- tastic for sleep. And you just get to be. You don’t have to talk or think. It’s good for mental clarity.” DISPELLING MASSAGE MYTHS Sometimes people have misgivings when it comes to massage. “One of the biggest is that people think mas- sage has to hurt to do any good,” Hodges says. “That’s misleading. It does not have to hurt to help.” During a massage, you will be modestly cov- ered. Your comfort is of utmost importance. When people are nervous, Hodges and Quigley try to put them at ease by listening and answering questions. “We meet people where they are,” Hodges says. “We find out first if they’ve ever had a massage and what they know about massage. We address any concerns.” And for even more peace of mind, you can rest assured that the massage therapy experts are fol- lowing COVID-19 precautions. FIND OUT MORE You don’t need a doctor’s referral to receive a mas- sage. However, some people with certain medical conditions—for instance, cancer—may need a doctor’s approval. Your doctor can help you under- stand whether massage is right for you. If you have diabetes, it’s especially important to pay attention to symptoms like burning, tingling or pins-and-needles pain. One possible cause? Nerve damage, known as peripheral neuropathy. The condition is a common complication of diabetes—it affects up to half of people who have the disease, reports the National Institute of Dia- betes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. WHY IT HAPPENS Diabetes is a disease of high blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar levels and high levels of triglyc- erides can damage the nerves and their blood ves- sels, preventing the nerves from working properly. Peripheral neuropathy most often affects the feet and legs and sometimes the hands and arms. The symptoms of neuropathy are often worse at night. In addition to pain, nerve damage can cause numbness, weakness and loss of balance when you walk. Neuropathy can also lead to infections that may be difficult to heal. It’s easy for people with nerve damage, for example, to overlook a foot sore because their feet are numb. A sore might then get infected since diabetes tends to slow or interrupt the wound healing process. If you think you may have nerve damage, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may perform a number of exams and tests to diagnose nerve damage. One method is a nerve conduction study, which measures the speed of your nerve signals. Even if you don’t have any symptoms of nerve damage, as part of your diabetes care, you should have your doctor check your feet regularly for neu- ropathy and other problems. GET OUT IN FRONT OF NERVE DAMAGE You can do things to prevent nerve damage. Or if you already have it, you can help prevent it from getting worse. In either case, the most important thing is to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Blood sugar control can be achieved with a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise and medications, if needed. Work with your doctor and your diabetes care team to reach your target blood sugar goals. Other treatments may help improve your symptoms or help you cope with other challenges related to nerve damage.These include: ● Medications to help with nerve pain and tin- gling, such as medicines originally designed to treat depression and seizures. ● Physical therapy to help with balance problems or weakness. Additional source: American Diabetes Association Wellness Enjoy the health benefits of massage therapy Diabetes: What you need to know about nerve damage Stay on your toes. If you have diabetes, it’s time to check your toes—and the rest of your feet. Check out our eight-step plan for foot health at tjregionalhealth.org/diabetesfeet . 2 DESTINATION HEALTH