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HOW MASSAGE THERAPY HELPS TO REDUCE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Erin Rennie, September 2021
There are many benefits to massage therapy from the physiological effects to the psychological effects (body and mind), but perhaps the most important benefit that we see as massage therapists, is the improvement to the overall mood of our clients at the end of the treatment. Comments such as “I feel so relaxed, I could just sleep”, or “everything feels so much lighter, it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders”, are common.
The benefit of touch on our mental health is well known, with physical touch increasing levels of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in our brains. These neurotransmitters include Serotonin, also known as the happy hormone, and Dopamine, associated with pleasure and reward, which together help to regulate our mood as well as relieving anxiety and stress. Dopamine also contributes to feelings of happiness, motivation, alertness and focus.
Another effect of massage is that Cortisol levels are reduced, Cortisol is another hormone that is produced in response to stress and pain, during massage these levels decrease helping to reduce both stress and pain levels and promote relaxation.
All of this contributes to the body’s ability to fight off feelings of anxiety and to be able to cope with depression better, as well as everything modern life can throw at us.
As well as the psychological, physical effects of massage such as the lowering of the heart rate, and blood pressure, also help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, promoting relaxation and homeostasis (balance) within the body. This ensures that the body is working as effectively as it can, as stress can have a detrimental effect on the optimal conditions required for different systems in the body to work properly.
If you suffer from anxiety, or depression, massage can be an effective treatment tool to help support you, leaving you more able to cope with everyday life.
