The famous psychotherapist Virginia Satir once said that people need four hugs a day to help prevent depression, eight for psychological stability and twelve for growth. Whilst asking for hugs simply isn’t British, we all can enjoy the relaxing benefits of massage – particularly in these stressful times. Although occasional stress can help improve our focus and performance, living with stress can backfire by causing anxiety, depressed mood, and other health problems.
Just as the mind can affect the body, the body can influence the mind. Massage can help us relieve stress and reduce anxiety and depressed mood. Massage has also been shown to reduce aggression and hostility, to improve mood and behaviour in students with concentration problems, and to lead to better sleep and behaviour in children with behavioural problems.
Massage has other therapeutic properties, as well. Regular massage may reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension and may lead to less pain, depressed mood, and anxiety and better sleep in patients with low-back pain. Massage can be helpful in easing the pain of arthritis and increasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. The Touch Research Institute (TRI) of Florida, has conducted over 90 studies on the positive effects of massage therapy on many functions and medical conditions in varied age groups. Among the significant research findings are diminished pain, decreased autoimmune problems, enhanced immune function and enhanced alertness and performance. Many of these effects appear to be mediated by decreased stress hormones.
Two further massage therapy studies at TRI were applied to patients suffering from migraine headaches and back pain. The application of massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances, and distress symptoms and increased serotonin levels. Massage therapy decreased lower back pain, depression, and anxiety. It also improved sleep. The massage therapy group showed improved range of motion and had higher levels of serotonin and dopamine levels.
General health benefits of massage therapy:
1) Promotes deep relaxation &stress reduction
2) Relaxes muscles, relieves tension
3) Improves circulation & muscle tone
4) Relieves mental & physical fatigue
5) Increases sense of wellbeing
6) May decrease blood pressure
7) May decrease heart rate
8) May help to alleviate pain
9) Restore balance & increase energy
10) May reduce anxiety & depressed mood
If you want to find out more about these studies, the TRI is based at University of Miami School of Medicine and their website is www.miami.edu/touch-research.
These are just some of the reasons why at my clinic, I recommend massage therapy to patients. For more information about the benefits of massage please go to my website for more information.