270820 Benefits of Massage Therapy in the Treatment of HIV/AIDS Patients

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Annie Weisman, MPH , Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Abstract The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 25 million people globally since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, making it one of the most destructive viruses in recorded history. Today, more than 33 million people are living with the disease and are often living longer lives because of the advances in medicine. However, many emotions and feelings of guilt, fear, & shame are reported among those infected as well a propensity to seek out alternative and complementary therapies as treatments. Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years to help people with many different afflictions. Over the past 20 years, massage therapy has been found to be beneficial to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Research has shown that massage therapy has reduced the symptoms of the disease and the medication's side effects, relieved pain, neuropathy, and has reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. This paper will explore massage therapy as a treatment option for HIV/AIDS patients.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the numerous benefits of massage therapy for HIV/AIDS patients.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working with HIV/AIDS patients as a massage therapist for the past seven years. The information in this abstract is from years of research on complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of this virus.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.