BIOTONE Funds Massage Therapy Foundation Research

A leading massage-and-spa-products company has made funding massage research a priority.

Jean Shea and her company, BIOTONE, have helped fund several massage-research studies. In October Shea attained sustaining-benefactor status by donating $15,000 to The Massage Therapy Foundation, an entity that grants funds for research, community service, educational awards and conferences, according to a company press release.

The donation will help support two pediatric-massage projects being conducted by the foundation.

"I am very pleased to see these projects focused on children, which is an area where I see huge potential for massage therapy," said Shea. "Overall, this is a very exciting time for the industry and I'm very proud to be part of a community of professionals who are opening a door to a new era in health and wellness that includes massage."

The foundation's pediatric-massage research project is investigating the effects of foot massage on pediatric intensive-care-unit patients, while its community-service project provides massage for pediatric burn survivors.

BIOTONE has a history of funding massage research. Its contributions to the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine, have supported research: into the benefits of massage therapy to enhance immune function in breast-cancer patients; to determine the effects of massage therapy on chronic lower-back pain; and to determine the benefits of massage therapy to minimize the preventable pain and disability of arthritis.

"BIOTONE is a strong advocate for the massage industry, and Jean Shea is a visionary," said foundation President Diana Thompson. "The company's ongoing support of research and community service demonstrates its commitment to the advancement of massage therapy as a complementary alternative medical treatment."