After going through the unexpected pandemic, we’ve realized stress, isolation, and uncertainty take a massive toll on our well-being. Self-care has moved to the top of our priority list for mental health.
Self-care can also help avoid or combat mental health issues that can arise from a chronic physical condition. People suffering from chronic illnesses and diseases tend to experience higher stress levels. This can then worsen their condition which, in turn, may lead to even more stress affecting their mental health, all creating a vicious cycle.
How do you look after your mental health? Aside from socializing, staying active, eating healthy, and making sure you are well-rested, studies support the positive impact of massage therapy on relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.
Massage Therapy and Stress Relief
In today’s fast-paced environment, stress is common and can have a severe impact on people’s health and well-being. Massage therapy has been found to considerably reduce physical and psychological stress. While massage therapists have firsthand knowledge that massage relieves stress, there are related studies to back it up.
Related Research
- There was a significant reduction in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in research on the effects of trigger point therapy.
- In controlled studies, oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels all decreased after a 10- to 15-minute chair massage.
- Massage for nurses during work hours has been shown to help with stress and related symptoms such as headaches, shoulder tightness, sleeplessness, exhaustion, and muscle and joint discomfort.
Massage Therapy and Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect nearly 40 million adult Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. Massage therapy can be an effective treatment for anxiety by enhancing neurotransmitters that reduce anxiety and decreasing chemicals that increase anxiety.
Related Research
- Massage has been shown to reduce stress in psychiatric patients, chronic pain patients, cancer patients, sick children, individuals with generalized anxiety disorder, the elderly, and healthy adults.
- Back massage during chemotherapy can considerably reduce anxiety and acute fatigue, according to research published in Applied Nursing Research.
- Military veterans reported significant reductions in anxiety, concern, despair, and physical pain after the massage, according to research published in Military Medicine. Following the massage, the researchers found that tension and irritation levels decreased.
Massage Therapy and Depression + SAD
Psychotherapy, in which a person meets with a qualified mental health expert to talk about their feelings, is the first line of defense for many people suffering from depression (and at times medication is prescribed). People are starting to understand how combining treatment options can be useful, and massage therapy is showing a lot of promise for clients with depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Related Research
- The effects of massage treatment on anxiety and depression are nearly identical to those observed in psychotherapy research studies for patients with the same symptoms.
- Massage has been shown to boost mood and lessen depression in persons with chronic pain, as well as cancer patients, pregnant women, and those with chronic disease, according to research.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder affects one in every five Americans, leaving many people melancholy and lethargic. Regular massages have been shown in studies to improve mood and reset circadian cycles, resulting in a better mood, better sleep, and more vitality.
With massage therapy increasing brain serotonin and dopamine, getting regular appointments leads to a happier individual. May you take care of yourself and your mental well-being. If you need help, we can support you in the massage room.
Book a massage today 👉🏽 daytonfamilymassage.com
