June 9, 2000 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The American Burn Association is reporting that massage therapy might help burn victims feel better and recover more quickly.

In a recent study, 20 patients with burn injuries were randomly assigned to either massage therapy or a standard treatment group during the final phase of healing. The massage therapy group received a 30-minute massage with cocoa butter twice a week for five weeks.

The massage group reported reduced itching, pain and anxiety, and an improved mood immediately after therapy sessions. Their ratings on these measures improved from the first day to the last day of the study.

Burns and fires are the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. Each year, approximately 2 million people are burned, 200,000 are hospitalized, and more than 9,000 people die as a result of their fire related injuries.

Patients who survive their burns and go through the stages of healing often suffer from severe itching. If patients scratch or rub healing wounds, they risk damaging healing tissues and causing infections. The itching also causes anxiety and disturbs normal activities, like sleeping or performing tasks. Massage therapy could help people return to a normal lifestyle more quickly.

(From HealthWorld Online)