Get the rub: Massage rubs aways stress, aids relaxation

Whether it’s for relaxation or pain relief, local health professionals agree that massage can benefit a person’s overall health.

“I would recommend a massage, if you can get one, once a month or every six weeks to help get rid of your anxieties,” said Jill Crooks, therapeutic massage therapist at Allegiance Health’s Women’s Health Center. “It improves so much of your body in general.”

Kelly Lane, a certified massage therapist who works for Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists, agrees.

“Massage is a relief of pain, tension and stress, which all cause medical problems,” she said.

One-third of Crooks’ patients get massages for relaxation, while two-thirds have problems with their neck muscles and decreased mobility, she said.

Lane sees the majority of her patients for clinical massage, she said. Patients might come in for a relaxing Swedish massage, but after she discusses their problem areas with them, Lane said she sometimes recommends orthopedic massage instead.

“I like the fact that people are inquiring about massage therapy,” Lane said. “It’s more than just a big fluffy robe and candles burning. It’s therapeutic and it’s needed.”

Most of Lane’s referrals come from physical therapists, doctors and people she’s worked with, she said. While most of Crooks patients come to her without a doctor’s referral, she said many of them are seeking relief from chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, migraines, arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Massage therapist Jill Crooks massages a patient at Allegiance Health's Women's Health Center.

“Alzheimer’s patients become more relaxed and they’re not as agitated,” Crooks said.

Other benefits of massage include improved posture, better elasticity of skin, lower blood pressure and heart rate, better sleep, improved concentration and range of motion and reduced scar tissue, Crooks said. Massage is also used in hospice care and for premature infants and infants with medical issues.

“Massage makes your immune system stronger in defense of any type of colds,” Crooks said. “And it reduces swelling because you’re getting circulation into that area.”

Margaret Cunningham of Grass Lake started seeing Crooks for stiffness and cramping from spinal stenosis, a buildup of calcium around the spinal column that presses on the sciatic nerve. She gets massages about every two weeks.

“I could have major back surgery, but there’s no guarantee it will help,” said Cunningham, a 65-year-old retired city of Jackson purchasing agent. “I’ve never had surgery. I’ve never had a broken bone. I don’t even have pierced ears.”

Cunningham looks at massage as a health-care tool.

“I’m pretty active and sometimes I can hardly wait to get to her to work out my muscles and relax,” she said. “I am pain free after a massage. You really shouldn’t look at it as a luxury.”

Lane sets up a series of massages with patients two or three times a week or every other week, depending on the situation.

“Once the problem starts to go away, then you try to put them on a maintenance program where they come once or twice a month,” she said. “It’s more like a checkup to see if everything is OK. It’s not something that should last forever.”

Massages might not be covered by medical insurance, Crooks said. But if the need is medically related, she and Lane recommend checking with the insurance provider.

“The only ones I’ve found that actually do cover massage is for car accident injuries,” Lane said.

Cost of massage

Jill Crooks, therapeutic massage therapist at Allegiance Health’s Women’s Health Center, charges $1 a minute at events and $30 for a 30-minute massage or $50 to $55 for an hour. Discount packages are available.

Kelly Lane, a certified massage therapist and licensed athletic trainer who works for Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists, charges $35 for a half-hour massage and $50 for an hour.