NOVEMBER 28 • 2019 | 51

Boom

Not Just A
 Spa Day 

Massage therapy can promote 
healing, alleviate pain and 
increase fl
 exibility, movement.

ELIZABETH KATZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
S

ay the word “massage” and it 
often evokes a luxurious day 
at the spa for some people. 
While massage is a great way to 
relax, massage therapy is also used 
on people with various diseases 
and diagnoses, including multiple 
sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’
s 
disease, cancer, neurodegenerative 
diseases, spinal cord injuries 
or closed head injuries, or on 
individuals dealing with pain from 
a vehicle-related or other type of 
accident.
Massage modalities can range 
from craniosacral therapy, soft 
tissue manipulation, active release 
techniques, positioning release 
therapy and reciprocal inhibition 
techniques, trigger point therapy 
and Touch for Health kinesiology 
work.
“Gentle touches to the body can 
help with pain — soft touch going 
into the muscles,” said Ronna 
Perlman, who recently became 
a licensed massage therapist 
after completing her training at 
Irene’
s Myomassology Institute 
in Southfield, a leading massage 
therapy school in the country. 
“It helps the nervous system 
with blood circulation and it’
s a 

great complement to traditional 
medical treatments,” Perlman said. 
“It also helps maintain flexibility.” 
Brian Schurgin, president of 
Better Life Home Care, began 
providing therapeutic 
massage therapy 
five years ago for 
individuals who have 
sustained automobile 
accidents.
Schurgin, who 
also was trained and 
teaches courses at 
Irene’
s Institute of Myomassology, 
sees patients with amyotrophic 
lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou 
Gehrig’
s disease), MS, stroke and 
dementia, along with car accident 
patients. He and his fellow 
massage therapists at Better Life 
focus on four kinds of massage: 
neuromuscular re-education, 
myofascial release, massage 
treatments, and cold and heat 
pack therapy.
He says he’
s also seen an 
increase in patients who are 
asking for CBD oil to be 
incorporated into the massage 
practice.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, has 
lately come into vogue and can be 

found at independent and national 
health food stores. Cannabidiol is 
a naturally occurring compound 
found in the resinous flower of 
the cannabis plant. It is generally 
considered safe and non-addictive 
and is one of the more than 100 
phytocannabinoids in cannabis, 
according to an article recently 
published in Massage & Bodywork 
magazine.
Schurgin said he considers 
CBD safe to use on anyone. He 
notes that the body naturally 
has cannabinoid receptors 
(also known as our internal 
endocannabinoid system) and, 
when used, CBD can affect how 
we experience pain and stress. 
“Pain management, MS and 
Parkinson’
s are the key focus 
for CBD use,” he said. “Soft 
tissue massage, in conjunction 
with CBD, helps promote the 
alleviation of pain and increases 
relaxation. People are absolutely 
asking for it.”
Arlene Schreiber, owner of 
Medpro Therapeutics in Franklin, 
works exclusively with clients who 
are referred to her by doctors. 
She focuses on craniosacral 
therapy, which, as she describes 

continued on page 52

DERRICK MARTINEZ

Brian
Schurgin

Massage therapist 
Ronna Perlman gives 
a therapeutic massage 
to Tungatip “Rada” 
Kerdsapin.