What Therapeutic Massage Can Help With
Therapeutic massage is often used to help relieve muscle tension and pain. It may be used on its own, but it is also often used in conjunction with other traditional pain treatments. Therapeutic massage may also be helpful for helping people deal with symptoms of conditions including:
Therapeutic massage can help reduce muscle tension, which is why it may help relieve some symptoms that are associated with stress and anxiety.
Massage Therapy For Anxiety
Anxiety is often treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, medication or a combination of the two. But alternative therapies are increasingly being considered for treating anxiety, and massage is proving effective.
The Mayo Clinic reports a 60-minute massage can lower cortisol, the stress hormone, by up to 30 percent after just one session.
A study published in the journal Depression and Anxiety found participants who received regular massage therapy for 12 weeks had a 50 percent reduction in anxiety symptoms. And the benefits werent short-lived either. Symptom reduction remained at 50 percent at the 26-week mark even after the therapy had ended.
In addition to its calming effects, massage therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, including muscle tension and sleep disturbances. Experts recommend going in with an open mind and not talking or thinking about any sources of worry during the massage.
Dont worry about not worrying, though, either. Instead, be prepared to test out some visualization techniques such as picturing yourself in a beautiful place, imagining yourself being completely relaxed or focusing on the areas of the body being worked on and envisioning the toxins being released. And remember, while you may experience immediate benefits, it will likely take several sessions to start seeing a lasting difference in your anxiety.
What Is Anxiety Or Depression
This seems a daunting task to explain.
I think it’s different things to different people but they do have professional definitions.
In the most simplistic terms:
Depression is defined as a mood and anxiety is defined as an emotion.
We don’t always know what emotions we are experiencing or able to translate into words how we are feeling.
Or why.
I want to stress that at times, it is perfectly normal to feel depressed or have anxiety.
When symptoms linger or affect your daily living, there are things you can do to ease a depressive mood and reduce anxiety.
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Trial Seven: Cancer Patients
This huge study used 1290 cancer patients. A variety of Swedish massages were used ranging from light touch to more normal massage, and from 20-60 minutes. The choice of massage was determined from an assessment of each patient. The trial found that massage gave considerable improvement in anxiety, pain, fatigue, nausea and depression.
Getting Started With Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is often offered at many spas, salons, and wellness centers Such as Integrated Med Spa in Bountiful, Utah. However, as it continues to become a more mainstream treatment option, massage is now offered at many hospitals and clinics. Some insurance companies may even cover massage therapy services. When meeting with your massage therapist for the first time, make sure to discuss your medical history, including your panic and anxiety symptoms. Let the massage therapist know if you have any areas of discomfort throughout your body. Also discuss what you hope to get out of the massage, such as muscle or stress relief.
Generally, massage therapy only has a few potential adverse side effects. Many people experience some soreness throughout their body the first few days following a massage.
However, you should never feel pain or discomfort during or after a massage. Massage is also contraindicated for certain medical conditions. Always consult your doctor before getting a massage. Studies have supported the safety and effectiveness of utilizing massage therapy for stress, anxiety, and depressionbut if you are experiencing panic attacks and other symptoms of panic disorder, talk to your doctor before trying this and other CAM practices.
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Can A Massage Help With Anxiety What The Science Says
As one of the oldest forms of physical therapy, the benefits of massage are well documented. Massage is known to reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation, improve joint mobility and flexibility, and help with recovery from soft tissue injuries1. But can a massage help with anxiety?
In this article we explore what anxiety is, how it affects the body, and how massage can be used as part of a holistic management plan to help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
Why Do Anxiety And Depression Go Together
Researchers state that anxiety and depression are both due to an overactive response of the stress system 3. Ultimately, this sends the areas of the brain that deal with emotions into hyperdrive. For instance, the amygdala, which is the fear center, becomes heightened, which may lead to irrational thoughts and worries.
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Massage Therapy Reduces Pain
Massage therapy has also been proven in reducing pain, and is especially useful in reducing muscle tension and pain. Swedish massage, or long gliding strokes, offers greater stress and pain reduction and improved quality and quantity of sleep â while deep tissue massage techniques, including ischemic compression, do more to reduce pain and muscle tension by releasing tension and trigger points. Massage therapy acts to increase circulation, flushing out lactic acid and bringing in fresh oxygen rich blood. Deep tissue techniques may also include friction to break up adhesions and stretching to lengthen muscle fibers and tissue, restoring range of motion.
Can Massage Therapy Help Anxiety
Massage therapy is an alternative therapy that can can help to alleviate anxiety in some patients. Each person treating their anxiety has access to a number of options that can be paired together, including alternative therapies, medication, therapy, and self-care tools. Massage therapy is proving to be an effective partner in helping patients manage anxiety as well.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that a 60 minute massage can lower cortisol by up to 30% after just one session. Another study found participants who received regular massage therapy for 3 months had a 50% reduction in anxiety symptoms that remained even after the massage therapy finished.
In the short term, massage therapy can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, like helping reduce muscle tension and promoting better sleep.
A massage therapist can work as part of your healthcare team to help you manage your anxiety in the short and long term. If youre looking for new ways to treat your anxiety, massage therapy may be a good option!
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What Are The Best Massages For Anxiety
There are many different types of massages available, each of which has a slightly different focus. The best massage for your anxiety will depend on your symptoms and what you want to get out of the massage. While some people find relieving body tension through remedial massage to be the most effective strategy, others prefer a gentler form of massage, such as aromatherapy-based massage which focuses more on mindfulness.
Some common types of massage that are helpful for managing anxiety include:
Ways Massages Can Reduce Stress
May 28, 2021
Stress is a normal part of life. We have all experienced it at one point or another. But its when stress starts affecting our livelihood that it can become detrimental to our health.
The best way to combat and reduce stress is by engaging in activities that allow us to feel more relaxed and present.
Massage therapy is a proven method to help combat stress and reduce its negative effects on the mind and body. It has been shown that even just 10 minutes of massage therapy can activate the bodys natural happy hormones and leave you feeling more relaxed and less stressed.
The mood-enhancing benefits of massage therapy makes it easier to feel more calm and in control, reducing anxiety and naturally calming the bodys fight-or-flight response.
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How To Reduce Anxiety With Massage Therapy
Anxiety is a state of uneasiness caused by worrying about possible future misfortune. But this dictionary definition doesnt tell you how rotten it feels to be anxious.
Or how expensive it is: the Conference Board of Canada estimates that anxiety costs the Canadian economy $17 billion per year.
Or worst of all, that anxiety tends to lead to more anxiety, unless youre proactive about managing it.
Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the frequency and intensity of anxious moments, including regular massage therapy treatments.
Research shows massage therapy reduces anxiety
Studies indicate massage therapy can reduce anxiety, even when people are experiencing chronic pain, illness, anxiety disorders, and psychoactive drug withdrawal. Due to this research, the American Massage Therapy Associations official position is massage therapy can assist in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
Massage therapy reduces feelings of anxiety by:
- Lowering the stress hormone cortisol
- Relieving muscle tension and soreness
- Activating the pregenual anterior cingulate cortexthe part of the brain where we experience feelings of happiness.
If you feel anxious more often than youd like to, youre not alone, and youre not at the mercy of these feelings. You can manage your experience with some simple and relaxing self-care methods.
5 self-care treatments for managing symptoms of anxiety:
Can Massage Therapy Help With Anxiety And Depression
Most people know massages are relaxing, but not many know how exactly massage effects our mental state. Several studies regarding the effect massage has on the brain and connection to anxiety and depression.
The most common discovery in massage research is the link between massage and decreased cortisol levels.1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Cortisol fuels the bodys fight or flight instinct. Cortisol boosts energy so you can handle stress, manages how the body uses carbohydrates, keeps down inflammation, regulates blood pressure, increases blood sugar, and controls your sleep/wake cycle. But if levels are high for a long period of time, it can become a problem.
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Types Of Therapeutic Massage
There are many different kinds of massage offered by massage therapists. Depending on the style, massages often vary in pressure and muscle group focus. Some of the most common types of massage include:
- Swedish massage:Swedish massage is the most popular type of massage therapy and is meant to help relax the body and mind. It involves a total body massage where a person lies on the massage table while the massage therapist slowly works through different muscle groups. Swedish massage also helps circulate blood flow, relieve mental stress, and reduce muscle pain and tension.
- Deep tissue: In deep tissue massage, the massage therapist uses more pressure and intensity when working through the muscles. The massage is aimed at releasing tense and painful muscle knots that are often associated with physical discomfort, stress, and headaches.
- Sports massage: Often used by athletes, sports massage is used to assist in athletic training. This type of massage is focused on preparing muscles for intense training. Additionally, sports massage is used to help the muscles recover after intense performance or injury.
- Shiatsu: Frequently referred to as acupressure, Shiatsu is a form of massage that is similar to acupuncture. Shiatsu originated in Japan and means “finger pressure.” Instead of using needles like acupuncture, the practitioner uses their fingers on pressure points. Pushing these points is thought to help release energy and restore balance back to the body and mind.
Benefits Of Massage Therapy
When performed by a trained professional, massage therapy is generally safe for most people. Youll find that it provides immediate gratification. You may feel relaxed and calm from the time your massage begins. You can combine it with more conventional treatment for depression, such as medication and psychotherapy.
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How Are Anxiety And Depression Diagnosed
Usually, a diagnosis begins with a discussion with your family physician. He or she will ask questions and listen for signs or symptoms relating to anxiety and depression. For severe depression or anxiety, your physician may further refer you to a mental health specialist to help with treatment and a more specific diagnosis.
Therapeutic Massage For Anxiety And Panic Disorder
This post is adapted from an original article from Verywellmind.
Complementary and alternative medicines are unconventional types of products and practices that are being used to treat a variety of medical and mental health conditions according to NYU. Over the past several years, CAM practices have grown in popularity and are often used in combination with more traditional medical practices. Some common CAM practices include acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, and progressive muscle relaxation. Additionally, massage may be able to curb feelings of fear and anxiety, plus assist in managing other panic disorder symptoms.
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How To Get Started
Massage therapy is offered at many spas, salons, and wellness centers. However, as it continues to become a more mainstream treatment option for physical and mental health concerns, massage is now offered at many hospitals and clinics as well. Some insurance companies even cover massage therapy services.
When meeting with your massage therapist for the first time, make sure to discuss your medical history, including any mental health symptoms.
It is important to schedule these services with a licensed or certified massage therapist. This ensures that you will get treatment from a qualified practitioner who has followed the standards and requirements for their state licensure.
Licensed massage therapists can be found through website directories, including the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and the American Massage Therapy Association. Let the massage therapist know if you have any specific areas of concern and be sure to discuss what you hope to get out of the massage, such as muscle or stress relief.
Leslie Dematteo Lmt Ms
Leslie L. DeMatteo, LMT, MS, has been an active massage therapist since 1998, after graduating from the Sarasota School of Massage Therapy in Sarasota, FL. There she completed the massage therapy program along with a certificate program in Nuad-Bo-Rarn: Traditional Massage of Thailand. Since then, she has completed continuing education in cranial-sacral fundamentals, cancer and mastectomy massage, reflexology, trigger point therapy and prenatal massage. She is also certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is a Professional Level member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals . Her work in massage therapy continuing education and teaching in a massage school ignited a passion for adult training and education, which led her to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Adult Learning: Vocational Instruction, followed by her a Master’s Degree in Adult Learning.
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Can Massage Help With Anxiety And Depression
Massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissues to promote relaxation, improve function, and decrease pain. It has been used for thousands of years to improve the state of the mind, body, and soul.
Today, massage is frequently used to promote feelings of relaxation and to decrease stress or anxiety, as well as treat chronic pain or injuries. In fact, there is a variety of evidence and research studies supporting the use of massage in improving depression and anxiety symptoms. This is widely attributed to massage therapy and its ability to decrease levels of cortisol throughout the body and increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is your rest and digest system. It is the opposite of your fight-or-flight system, which is activated during the stress response. By calming your fight-or-flight system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, you are able to fully relax and put aside your worries, thoughts, and fears.
Interestingly, experts claim that these symptom-reducing effects associated with massage actually last long after your massage session has ended. Further, massage can help improve your sleep which can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health.
Ease Your Anxiety And Feel Better With Massage Therapy
Massage therapy programs help activate the calming biochemical pathways. This helps reduce your symptoms and treat your anxiety for good.
At Faces Spa, our dedicated therapists can do a full consultation with you. They will help you decide which option will be best and have you feeling relaxed for days.
Ready to feel better? Call today to start relieving your anxiety!
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Massage Therapy Improves Sleep
Sleep is a vital function. During sleep both the body and mind repair and regenerate. Sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on our mental functions and emotional state, as anyone who has lost a night of sleep well knows! Sleep disturbances have significant adverse effects on the immune system, the nervous system and ability to concentrate as well as our overall energy levels.
Sleep is a critical function and not sleeping results in mood swings, the inability to function and difficulty in the ability to concentrate. The areas in the brain that control emotions, decision-making and social interactions all require sleep to repair and regenerate. When we do not get enough sleep, or do not sleep deep enough for long enough, we begin to lose our ability to think straight and begin to feel anxiety and depression.
Massage therapy has been shown to improve sleep, and therefore reduce the overall symptoms of anxiety. Massage therapy reduces overall stress, and has been proven to improve sleep in children, in cancer patients and in those who suffer from fibromyalgia. In studies, massage therapy has demonstrated to significantly improve the ability to fall asleep and the quality of sleep in those who suffer from a variety of conditions â including anxiety.
- concentration improves
- the emotional state improves