Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Shingles: Rest is Best

There are so many conditions which can benefit from massage therapy. But I would be lying if I didn't mention there are some health conditions that indicate someone might not be an excellent candidate for massage.

A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Shingles. Shingles is a re-activation of the chickenpox virus, usually occurring later in life. Doctors identify it by the painful blisters it causes in certain areas of the body - often the low back, buttock, and thighs.

Although stress is a major factor in that viral re-activation, Shingles is a particularly painful illness because of the blisters. Touch is not usually the best solution right away - regular old rest is better.

Thankfully, Shingles typically only occurs once in a person's lifetime. So strengthen your immune system, recover from the infection, and then receive light, relaxation massage as part of your regular healthcare routine.

Reader Challenge: What is a Dermatome? And how does it relate to Shingles?

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