I have put together a few interesting bits and bobs for this very first electronic Massage Message, namely how being stroked can relieve pain, some effects laptops and Wi-Fi and the sedating power of Jasmine essential oil.

The printed version of the Massage Message will still be published twice a year, and I hope to have the back issues on my new website soon. Ahh - my new website - what do you think? I am working on resource pages for massage, on-site massage, Manual Lymph Drainage and lymphoedema - have you got anything that might be useful to others?

Hope you'll enjoy the rest of the Summer,
With warm regards,
Regina

Sense of touch can help to relieve pain

Scientists have discovered a distinct set of "pleasure nerves" in the skin that can alleviate pain when gently stroked. They believe the discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions ranging from chronic itching to depression.

The nerves respond to being brushed slowly and they appear to be sensitive to the type of stroking and cuddling provided by a mother to an upset child, scientists said.

There is growing evidence that touching the skin and gentle stroking of the body stimulates an evolutionary ancient part of the nervous system that makes people feel good when cuddled by a loved one or groomed by themselves. Source: Independent on 8 September 2008

Laptops and Wi-Fi can affect male fertility

Laptop PCs that use Wi-Fi could affect male fertility by damaging the sperm and fragmenting DNA, the world’s first study into portable computers has discovered. Men who rest the PC on their laps – rather than on a desk – are much more likely to be affected, say researchers from Nascentis, a reproductive medical centre in Cordoba, Argentina. Wi-Fi radiation affects sperm motility, or movement, and damages the DNA. Researchers discovered that virtually every laptop user had damaged sperm when samples were compared with those from men who didn’t use a laptop and Wi-Fi. The researchers advise men only to use a laptop on a desk, and not on their knees and legs. The findings are controversial. Health agencies have maintained that Wi-Fi radiation has very low emissions, and even a year in a ‘hotspot’ is equivalent to 20-minutes mobile phone usage. Source: Digital Journal, on 26 July 2010.

Smell of jasmine 'as calming as valium'

The sweet smell of jasmine is as good as valium at calming the nerves with none of the side effects, according to new research.

Inhaling jasmine oil molecules is said to transmit messages to a brain region involved in controlling emotions, and tests showed mice calmed dramatically when their cage was filled with jasmine scent, causing them to cease all activity and sit quietly in a corner.

Professor Hanns Hatt said the results published online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry can "be seen as evidence of a scientific basis for aromatherapy". Source: Daily Telegraph on 10 July 2010

Issue 12a of the Massage Message, 3 August 2010.
Regina Dengler
Touching Well
0115 8457113
regina @ touchingwell.co.uk