The Many Benefits of Massage Therapy

 

 

Massage's Psychological Benefits: Mind-Body Connection Explored (neurolaunch.com)

​

Massage Therapy: Styles of Massage and Their Health Benefits (webmd.com)

​

Massage and Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD

For mental and emotional well-being, massage therapy has a surprisingly robust body of evidence showing benefits for people with depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mood-related challenges. Much of this research has been done in settings where depression, anxiety, and stress are part of a larger health picture (such as among hospital patients, or in the context of chronic pain), although one study looked at the effects of massage therapy on 70 women diagnosed with anxiety and depression who underwent a month of spa treatments; not surprisingly, their stress-related hormones and other biochemical changes suggested that massage can be helpful in this circumstance.

​

Anxiety

Anxiety can be a freestanding disorder that radically impairs a person’s quality of life. It can also develop as a part of a complicated health challenge. In either case, welcomed touch in the form of massage therapy has been seen to be an effective treatment component. Results show it can be effective for patients with generalized anxiety disorder. It was also seen to decrease anxiety scores in hospital settings and among caregivers of patients with cancer. Additional studies have found that massage with and without aromatherapy improved anxiety among patients in palliative care and in those receiving dialysis.  

​

Depression  

Several studies found massage therapy benefits for people living with depression, both as a freestanding disorder and as a part of a complicated health situation. A systematic review found that aromatherapy massage was substantially more effective than aromatherapy alone for this population. One study found clearly better results for people with major depressive disorder receiving Swedish massage compared to a sham treatment. This is important because it helps delineate between the effect of the bodywork and the positive effect of spending time with an attentive caregiver. Both are useful, but in this situation the massage was more powerful.  

​

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Massage therapy is often recommended for refugees, veterans, and survivors of torture, if people are comfortable with touching and being touched. Participants in these studies reported reductions in pain, tension, anxiety, irritability, depression, and other negative aspects of living with this

complicated and challenging disorder.

This is just a brief overview of some of the work that has been done in the context of massage and mental and emotional wellness. The field of massage therapy research is growing quickly, and each new study helps us understand more about how we can use massage therapy to promote our health and how to integrate massage therapy with conventional health care.

​

(CREDITS: Massage and Emotional Wellness | MassageTherapy.com)

​​​

​

Loving the Skin You’re In: Massage and Body Image

One of the most profound psychological effects of massage therapy is its impact on body image and self-esteem. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards, learning to love and appreciate our bodies can be a real challenge. This is where massage can work its magic in unexpected ways.

Through the gentle, nurturing touch of massage, we’re given the opportunity to reconnect with our bodies in a positive, non-judgmental way. As we become more aware of the sensations in our body, we often develop a greater sense of appreciation for all that our bodies do for us.

This increased body awareness can lead to a shift in how we think and talk about ourselves. Many people report an increase in self-compassion and positive self-talk following regular massage therapy. It’s as if the act of caring for our bodies through massage teaches us to be kinder to ourselves in general.

​

For individuals struggling with body dysmorphia or eating disorders, massage can be a powerful tool in the healing process. By providing a safe, nurturing experience of touch, massage can help rebuild a positive relationship with the body, challenging negative thought patterns and promoting self-acceptance.

The connection between physical touch and self-worth is a fascinating area of study in psychology. Physical and Psychological Health: The Intricate Connection Between Body and Mind explores this relationship in depth, highlighting the profound impact that positive touch experiences can have on our overall sense of self.

(CREDITS: Massage's Psychological Benefits: Mind-Body Connection Explored (neurolaunch.com))

​

​

​

Some of The Many Benefits of   Cuddle Therapy

​

• Increasing oxytocin, which improves mood, lowers blood pressure, and relieves pain in the body.

• Reducing stress and anxiety by reducing cortisol levels.

• Improving mood and emotional regulation by releasing oxytocin.

• Helping build social skills.

• Improving sleep quality.

• Reducing inflammation in the body.

• Helping with PTSD and trauma.

• Benefiting heart health by leading to low blood pressure and low-stress levels.

• Relieving pain.

• Preventing you from getting infected with common viruses due to stress.

• Helping in dealing with depression and anxiety.

​

​

Https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-cuddling

​

​

​

​

​​

​