Massage for Teenagers!
"Adolescence is one of the most difficult stages of our lives. During this dynamic period, we not only
encounter awkward physical changes -- such as skin problems and weight issues -- but we also see a
rise in the expectations we face from family and society, which brings emotional conflict. In fact,
one-third of American teens claim they suffer daily from stress-related issues, including sleep
deprivation, anxiety and depression. The other two-thirds say they feel stress-related symptoms at
least once a week.
encounter awkward physical changes -- such as skin problems and weight issues -- but we also see a
rise in the expectations we face from family and society, which brings emotional conflict. In fact,
one-third of American teens claim they suffer daily from stress-related issues, including sleep
deprivation, anxiety and depression. The other two-thirds say they feel stress-related symptoms at
least once a week.
Teenagers in general have a tendency to shut down their emotions as a method of coping with the
influx of change in their lives. They may also become irritable, angry, provocative, or resort to drugs
and alcohol as a coping mechanism. This stage is also extremely difficult on the parents, who must also
come to terms with their teens, who are no longer children."
influx of change in their lives. They may also become irritable, angry, provocative, or resort to drugs
and alcohol as a coping mechanism. This stage is also extremely difficult on the parents, who must also
come to terms with their teens, who are no longer children."
(Quote from Francoise Rapp,
2002. Internationally
renowned aromatherapist and
alchemist, Francoise Rapp,
shares her expertise in using
essential oils to heal and
revitalize body and mind at
http://www.aromalchemy.com.)
2002. Internationally
renowned aromatherapist and
alchemist, Francoise Rapp,
shares her expertise in using
essential oils to heal and
revitalize body and mind at
http://www.aromalchemy.com.)
Depression Research
Massage & Music Therapy
Massage & Music Therapy
Massage and music therapy helps depressed teenagers
Massage and music therapy can alter brain
patterns and offer therapeutic help for
patients suffering from anxiety and
depression. There are a number of clinical
research studies showing the benefits of both
of these therapies, and this prompted
researchers at Florida Atlantic University,
USA to investigate exactly how and why
these therapies work so well.
patterns and offer therapeutic help for
patients suffering from anxiety and
depression. There are a number of clinical
research studies showing the benefits of both
of these therapies, and this prompted
researchers at Florida Atlantic University,
USA to investigate exactly how and why
these therapies work so well.
The researchers monitored brain activity in depressed teenagers. It is
known that EEG asymmetry, specifically greater relative right frontal
activation, is associated with negative emotions and depression, and
examination of depressed adults invariably shows this phenomenon. The
researchers therefore decided to assess the effects of massage therapy
and music therapy on frontal EEG asymmetry in thirty depressed
teenagers, all showing greater relative right frontal EEG activation and
symptoms of depression.
known that EEG asymmetry, specifically greater relative right frontal
activation, is associated with negative emotions and depression, and
examination of depressed adults invariably shows this phenomenon. The
researchers therefore decided to assess the effects of massage therapy
and music therapy on frontal EEG asymmetry in thirty depressed
teenagers, all showing greater relative right frontal EEG activation and
symptoms of depression.
Fourteen of the teenagers were given massage therapy
or and sixteen were given music therapy. EEG levels
were recorded for three-minute periods before, during,
and after each therapy session.
or and sixteen were given music therapy. EEG levels
were recorded for three-minute periods before, during,
and after each therapy session.
The results revealed that the frontal EEG asymmetry was
significantly improved both during and after the massage
and music sessions. The study demonstrates that both
massage therapy and music therapy have positive effects
on brain activity in depressed teenagers and indicate that
these therapies should be more closely reviewed for
inclusion in conventional treatment programs.
significantly improved both during and after the massage
and music sessions. The study demonstrates that both
massage therapy and music therapy have positive effects
on brain activity in depressed teenagers and indicate that
these therapies should be more closely reviewed for
inclusion in conventional treatment programs.
Source: Adolescence 1999 Fall;34(135):529-34 . Massage and music therapies attenuate frontal EEG asymmetry in depressed adolescents. Jones NA, Field T
Teen Exercise: A cool place to visit for exercise, safety, image, fitness advice and stories from a
teen perspective.
teen perspective.
