A proven technique for reducing pain and improving QOL – now available in the home.

Massage therapy has been shown by multiple peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials, to be an effective complementary therapy for the management of MSK pain/injury and stress. It has also demonstrated efficacy for other chronic conditions including but not limited to PTSD, depression, sleep disorders, digestive disorders, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and fibromyalgia.

For relief of physical or psychological distress, Zeel in-home massage provides a safe, healthy, and convenient option for your patients—and is fully covered by VA as of March 2020. Clinical massage therapy is included in the VHA Whole Health System of care as an evidence-based, complementary and integrative health (CIH) approach. Treatments for MSK pain are covered by the patient’s benefits package if deemed clinically necessary by his or her care team.

Where is Zeel Available?

Zeel medical massage is available to Veterans through their VA Medical Centers (VAMC) across the United States—in most cases both in the home and in office-based facilities. We are actively working with VAMCs across the country to expand access to every Veteran in America. VAMC providers and administrators can find out more by contacting their TPA or inquiring with Zeel at 877-537-0329.

Who Can Benefit from Massage?

Cardiovascular Conditions

Hypertension

Massage has been shown in multiple scientific studies to lower blood pressure. A study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension found that massage combined with blood pressure-lowering medication was more effective than medication alone. Another found a routine of 2–3 weekly massages alone was effective in lowering both systolic and diastolic pressure. Additionally, numerous studies have shown massage’s ability to measurably reduce stress, offering an essential lifestyle benefit for hypertension patients.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

Arthritis

Massage modalities like deep tissue, can alleviate stiffness and pain in the neck and back, often as well as NSAIDs, offering an alternative to the hazards of pain medication overuse. A 2018 study of osteoarthritis patients found a significant increase in mobility and decrease in pain in subjects who received regular massage. With autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis often triggered by stress, massage can offer potent relief by reducing cortisol and inducing relaxation and wellbeing.

Psychological Conditions

Depression

Massage offers multiple benefits for treating depression disorders. Moderate-pressure massage increases parasympathetic activity in the autonomic nervous system while decreasing sympathetic activity. Massage can lower cortisol levels and increase production of serotonin and dopamine—an average of 28% and 31%, respectively, in one study. Massage also improves circulation, which can be weakened by depression, and alleviates physical stress, making patients more inclined to exercise, which is known to improve depressed mood. 

Musculoskeletal Conditions

MSK Pain

Massage is a powerful, non-pharmacological treatment for MSK conditions, improving mobility and reducing pain without the costs and risks of medication or surgery. By reducing cortisol levels, massage can also help reduce blood pressure and muscle tension, while alleviating stress and insomnia that can accompany chronic pain. Some studies also show that massage can reduce muscle inflammation, both alleviating acute MSK discomfort and possibly reducing the risk of longer term pain.

Psychological Conditions

Anxiety

Data indicates that generalized anxiety disorder patients treated with massage experienced significant reduction in anxiety symptoms. Massage increases stress-relieving parasympathetic activity in the autonomic nervous system while decreasing sympathetic activity—AKA “fight or flight.” The result is significantly reduced cortisol levels, along with increased production of serotonin and dopamine. In relieving tension while improving focus and mood, massage also makes patients more likely to exercise, which can moderate anxiety.

More Use Cases & Clinical Benefits

A Safer Alternative to Pharmaceuticals

Chronic pain—suffered by ~20% of U.S. adults—is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. Conventional pharmaceutical-based treatment poses risks including addiction, side effects, and negative drug interactions, leaving patients frustrated, depressed…and still in pain.

Medical massage therapy is a proven alternative to opioid and NSAID medications for many pain syndromes and chronic conditions. As a meaningful component of an integrative care strategy for patients, therapeutic medical massage can proffer wholesale improvements in wellbeing that pain medications alone cannot offer.

Clinicians: Learn About the Benefits of Massage for Your Patients

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