Massage for Eating Disorders
Over the past month I’ve lost 12 pounds by following a sensible diet plan, combined with exercise. At 44, I’m learning to be aware of what I eat and how I move—but this wasn’t always the case. As a teenager I starved myself down to a size 5 (which didn’t fit my body type very well; I was super thin), by eating pretty much only dry toast and black coffee. My desire to disappear was rooted in self-esteem issues, and could have escalated into a full blown eating disorder if I hadn’t come to my senses, and to the table.
This is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 24-March 1), so I thought I’d call your awareness to the documents benefits of massage for those suffering from such a disorder.
The Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine produced the report, “Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms Reduced by Massage,” and you can read MASSAGE Magazine’s synopsis of the report here: www.massagemag.com/anorexia.
In short, the research noted that massage alleviates anxiety, depression, eating- disorder symptoms, poor body image and biochemical abnormalities for women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
In addition to TRI’s work, another research study shows that complementary approach that includes massage therapy benefits eating-disordered patients’ insomnia and constipation (www.massagemag.com/eatingdisorders). That research was conducted by Sierra Tucson, an inpatient behavioral disorder and addiction treatment center in Tucson, Arizona.
Up to 24 million people suffer from an eating disorder—anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating— in the U.S., according to The Renfrew Center Foundation, which focuses on prevention and education about eating disorders. Most of those people are young women, between the ages of 12 and 20—not the typical massage client. I wonder, though, what difference could be made in many of their lives if more massage therapists did outreach with hospitals and clinics treating eating-disordered patients.
February 28th, 2008 21:29
I am looking for training in terms of massage therapy and body image issues. Do you have any resources you can share with me? Thank You.
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February 28th, 2008 21:30
I am looking for training on massage therapy and body image issues.
Thanks
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cindy reply on March 23, 2008:
hi Maryann,
where are you locted.
i dont think there is training on mt and body image. are you working with people with body images now?
cindy
February 29th, 2008 06:34
Congratulations on your weight loss! And kudos to this magazine for not perpetuating the prevailing media image that people have to be a size 2 to appear on the pages of the magazine; people of all shapes and sizes are included in the pages. I think a lot of eating disorders, especially among young girls, are brought on by the unrealistic pressure to look like the models, movie stars and singers who starve themselves, have personal chefs, and work out with personal trainers five hours a day in order to look good for the camera. That’s not real life, but unfortunately a lot of people buy into it. Massage therapists, and clients, come in all shapes and sizes and this magazine has always represented that honestly and without judgment. Keep up the good work!
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March 2nd, 2008 12:44
Hi Karen,
Very excited to read your letter! I had an eating disorder for over 20 years. I became a massage therapist to treat those suffering with this horrible disease.I experienced the powerful effect that a nurturing touch can have on the mind/body. I work in a hospital and have tried to bring massage to the eating disorder clinic, however i was turned away. I believe in massage therapy for eating disorder patients and therefore after many years of trying to accomplish this goal I am not giving up.
I would appreciate any ideas/suggestions you might have.
Yours truly,
Cindy Scher, LMT (reoovered anorexic and bulimic 15 years)
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elizabeth barr reply on March 9, 2008:
great.. would you like to email directly? I would love to know about your process and anything you’ve discovered as an LMT in terms of resources for cont. ed. I went onto several websites for different treatment facilities, and didn’t see massage included in their curriculum. I ‘d love to communicated more about this, as I am finding positive results in the work I’m doing in my own recovery and would like to offer hope to other suffering bulimics and women in recovery from EDs. Look forward to hearing from you.
e
cindy reply on March 23, 2008:
elizabeth,
where are you located? i found a place that offers massage therapy for ED pts. would be interested in speaking to you.
cindy
elizabeth barr reply on March 26, 2008:
Hi Cindy.. I am in North Carolina. I look forward to hearing what you’ve discovered!
This is exciting news!
elizabeth
March 7th, 2008 15:49
Thank you for this article. I too am in recovery from ab eating disorder that has spanned my entire life, and included bulumia, anorexia, compulsive overeating and exercise.
I also became a massage therapist in hopes of healing my own body image issues, and am now interested in working with other women who struggle with all of the above. I was in treatment in a facility that did not offer massage ,m but feel that it be a very beneficial component in the treatment. I too would appreciate any info about specific training for therapists and opportunites for networking. Thank you.
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Cindy reply on March 8, 2008:
I am interested in networking. I am located in NY.