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Toxic Massage
Toxic Massage
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Massage is one of the best ways to pamper yourself, but did you know that a
massage can be extremely toxic? Unless you know what questions to ask,
your massage could include a significant dose of crude oil distillates and
hormone-mimicking chemicals that are on the world watch-list of carcinogens,
but are somehow still allowed into your personal care products.
What’s not to love about getting a relaxing massage? On a primal level, being gently touched sends a signal of safety to our core. It
harkens back to infancy, when being swaddled and cared for by others was essential to our survival. We are literally hardwired for touch!
When deprived of it, especially in infancy, serious physical and psychological issues can result. Conversely, proper application of
therapeutic touch can be used as an effective adjunct therapy to create better health outcomes across a spectrum of diseases. Simply
put, touch makes us feel better. And when we feel better, we often get better.
(/article/compressed-air-massage-improves-healing-diabetic-foot).
(http://www.greenmedinfo.com/therapeutic-action
/massagetherapeutic-touch)
Massage’s holistic healing effects are due, in part, to the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel good” hormones and
neuropeptides. Gentle touch stimulates endorphins, enhancing feelings of pleasure and security. We also benefit through connecting with
another person, which is itself a form of healing energy. In addition to easing pain, massage decreases levels of stress and anxiety
(/article/massage-and-massage-combined-reiki-has-been-shown-be-effective-reducing-levels), conveying a greater healing
benefit to patients. Massage is a “feel good” prescription, making it a natural alternative to antidepressants and sleep-aids, medications
that, along with painkillers, have the highest rates of addiction1. A regular regimen of massage can even help people who are stepping
down from pharmaceutical medications (/article/chair-massage-has-positive-effect-treatment-anxiety-patients-
withdrawing-psychoactive-drugs), or breaking the addictive hold of nicotine (/article/smoking-cravings-are-reduced-self-
massage) and alcohol (/article/massage-therapy-improves-management-alcohol-withdrawal-syndrome).
"Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval
authority, with the exception of color additives."
This has created a market with literally no oversight. As compared to the European Union, which has banned more than 1,300 chemicals
per the EU Cosmetics Directive, the FDA has only banned or restricted the use of 11 such chemicals2. This is despite known toxic
ingredients commonly found in cosmetics, such as lead, mercury, formaldehyde, and what regulators call “chemicals of concern.” In May
2017, legislation was introduced into Congress that would increase the safety of U.S. consumers, however the Personal Care Products
Safety Act (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s1113) is estimated to have only a 2% chance of being enacted.
Educating yourself on what to avoid is the best way to become your own health and safety watchdog. Don’t let toxic massage oils
undermine this valuable, not to mention enjoyable, self-care practice!
Petrochemical Infusion
What we put on our skin goes directly into our bodies, without benefit of the filters of the digestive tract and liver. Unlike nutrients in food
which undergo a lengthy distillation process before being released into the bloodstream, products we apply to our skin are immediately
absorbed into the blood, lymph, and circulatory systems.
Mineral oil (/toxic-ingredient/mineral-oil), a crude oil derivative commonly used in massage oils, is one such petrochemical linked
to at least two dozen adverse health
effects. Much like plastic wrap, mineral oil forms a barrier over the skin, preventing moisture and oxygen exchange and contributing to
cellular breakdown. Regular use of mineral oil on the skin speeds aging by slowing cellular renewal, and damaging collagen and
connective tissues. While the common argument for mineral oil’s safety is that it can’t be digested by the body and is therefore inert, the
reality is these petrochemicals are absorbed into tissues where they stay in organs and fat cells. A truly disturbing autopsy study
(http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/crude-awakening-mineral-oil-contaminates-everyones-bodies) from 1985 found that
48% of the livers and 46% of the spleens of the 465 autopsies analyzed showed signs of mineral-oil induced lipogranuloma (a nodule of
necrotic, fatty tissue associated with foreign-body reactions and inflammation linked to a fatty substance).
A 2011 study on 142 women who voluntarily underwent C-sections, found that mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) had
accumulated to detectable levels in both body fat and breast milk samples. Age was the most significant causal factor, leading
researchers to conclude that MOSH accumulates in the body over time and is
biopersistent, meaning not routinely excreted or expelled. Other causal factors
affecting MOSH accumulation included frequency of use of sun creams, lipsticks, and
hand creams in daily life3. Another troubling study from 2009 (/article
/commonly-used-moisturizing-creams-containing-mineral-oil-are-tumorigenic-
when-applied) published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that
moisturizing creams containing mineral oil significantly increased both the likelihood and
size of developing tumors in high-risk (UVB-exposed) skin. The mass market brands
tested included:
Dermabase
Dermovan
Eucerin
Vanicream
It might be tempting to think that a small amount of body lotion from the occasional massage couldn’t have a significant effect, but the
presence of petrochemicals in our lives should not be underestimated. Our food supply is now saturated with “food-grade” petroleum,
including:
You don’t need to be pregnant or immuno-compromised to be at risk. A 2017 study on paraben esters found them intact in healthy
human tissues, leading researchers to conclude that parabens “penetrate human skin intact without breakdown...in healthy human
subjects.6” There is hope for health-conscious individuals who want to rid the body of this toxic build-up: start sweating (/blog
/research-confirms-sweating-detoxifies-dangerous-metals-petrochemicals)! Sweating is one of the body's primary methods of
detox, and our armpits work overtime (to the dismay of many). This delicate area is uniquely sensitive, serving as a gateway for toxins
on their way in, and out of the body. Another reason to safeguard what penetrates armpit skin is the presence of lymph nodes. If skin is
the gate, the lymphatic system is the highway, shuttling toxins out of the body along lymphatic pathways. This makes getting a massage
with chemical-filled lotions even more dangerous. Massage stimulates the lymph, and the rub-down works oils deep into the skin,
directing toxins into the bloodstream and sensitive surrounding tissues.
Which food-grade oils make the best massage elixir? First, make sure it’s organic. Next, look for cold-pressed or virgin pressings
(unheated), and oil that is not refined (often done with chemical solvents). The following are all healthy options for your base or carrier
oil:
Coconut
Sesame
Flaxseed
Jojoba
Sweet Almond
Avocado
Grapeseed
Olive
Argan
If you want to determine the best base oil to use as a personal massage oil and/or skin emollient, Greenmedinfo has lots of scientific
research to inform your decision. Coconut oil (/substance/coconut-oil) is a clear stand-out in the realm of food-grade cosmetics - clear,
at least, when it’s warm outside! Virgin coconut oil is an opaque solid at temperatures below 76° F (24° C), which can present problems
with application if the massage oil isn’t warmed first. This can be mitigated by blending coconut oil with another carrier oil, or by simply
keeping the oil at a pleasantly warm temperature, important for receiving the most comfortable massage. Regarding coconut oil’s health
profile, Greenmedinfo previously shared 13 Evidence-Based Medicinal Properties of Coconut Oil (/blog/13-evidence-based-
medicinal-properties-coconut-oil) which demonstrate its superiority over mineral oil for dry skin treatment and protecting the hair.7
Coconut oil has added antimicrobial and antifungal benefits (/blog/let-food-be-your-cosmetic-coconut-oil-outperforms-
dangerous-petroleum-body-care) that can be useful in preventing infections.
Sesame has been a prized oilseed for more than 5,000 years. The amazing health benefits of sesame (/blog/open-sesame-10-
amazing-health-benefits-super-seed) support its use in our diet, and in our health and beauty regimens. A search of
Greenmedinfo’s Research database (/substance/sesame-seed-oil) shows more than 20 different abstracts on the benefits of
sesame seed oil, including the following topical applications:
Used in oil pulling (swishing around in the mouth) and for gum massage, sesame oil controls gingivitis and plaque (/blog/gum-
massage-sesame-oil-and-other-oils-deters-plaque-and-gingivitis)
Applied or ingested, sesame oil demonstrates significant wound healing properties (/article/sesame-seed-oil-has-wound-
healing-activity).
Sesame oil has demonstrated pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it an ideal massage oil for anyone suffering
from inflammatory joint pain (/blog/eating-sesame-seeds-superior-tylenol-knee-arthritis), a common motivation for seeking
massage.
Flaxseed is one of the most powerful healing foods in the human diet, and flaxseed oil makes for a wonderful massage!
GreenMedInfo.com has catalogued research on the value of flaxseed (/substance/flaxseed) in treating over 70 diseases. It’s effect
on the body is the opposite of mineral oil, having been shown to reduce mortality of breast cancer patients (/blog/eating-
flaxseed-may-reduce-breast-cancer-mortality-70), and even prevent premature death in elderly subjects (/blog/flaxseed-
just-ounce-day-may-extend-your-life). The benefits of flaxseed have primarily been demonstrated when taken orally, however you
can be confident that therapeutic benefit is imparted when applied topically through massage.
Aromatherapy essential oils can be added to any base oil for an enhanced therapeutic effect, such as citrus for invigoration or lavender
for pain relief. PubMed has over 300 studies and abstracts on aromatherapy massage (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
/?term=aromatherapy+massage), demonstrating the benefits of therapeutic touch for specific applications such as migraines, chronic
fatigue, and dementia.
For additional research on the benefits of massage (/therapeutic-action/massagetherapeutic-touch), visit our database on
the subject.
(/therapeutic-action/massagetherapeutic-touch)
References
1. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/abuse-of-prescription-drugs#1 (https://www.webmd.com/mental-
health/addiction/abuse-of-prescription-drugs#1)
2. http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/regulations/international-laws/ (http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-
facts/regulations/international-laws/)
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21970597 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21970597)
4. http://publicsafety.tufts.edu/ehs/files/carcinogens.pdf (http://publicsafety.tufts.edu/ehs/files/carcinogens.pdf)
6. D Darbre, Philippa & W Harvey, Philip. (2008). Paraben esters: Review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and
human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks. Journal of applied toxicology : JAT. 28. 561-78. 10.1002/jat.1358.
7. S B Ruetsch, Y K Kamath, A S Rele, R B Mohile. Secondary ion mass spectrometric investigation of penetration of coconut and mineral
oils into human hair fibers: relevance to hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2001 May-Jun;52(3):169-84. PMID: 11413497
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