Massage therapy has been proven to be an effective way to reduce levels of anxiety and depression, increase dopamine and serotonin levels, and lower norepinephrine. Studies have shown that massage therapy can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, including muscle tension and sleep disorders. It can also activate soothing biochemical pathways, which can help reduce symptoms and treat anxiety in the long-term. People with chronic pain disorders or other medical conditions involving the musculoskeletal system should consult with their doctor before receiving regular massage therapy.
If you have injuries, physical therapy massage can be a great way to relieve both pain and stress. An experimental study was conducted to examine whether the effects of massage therapy reduced pain, itching and anxiety levels in burned adolescents. Another study explored the effect of slow-cycle back massages on anxiety and shoulder pain in elderly patients hospitalized with stroke. Twice a week, 45-minute massage therapy sessions were initiated after the initial phase and continued for 6 weeks.
Pain improved significantly in both groups, but only in the massage group did it improve significantly in follow-up. Therapeutic massage has been shown to be an effective, non-pharmacological alternative for managing condition and trait anxiety in a variety of clinical situations. Massage may be beneficial in helping you manage your condition, but it is not a substitute for traditional medical care. Let the massage therapist know if you have any specific areas of concern and be sure to talk about what you expect to get from the massage, such as muscle or stress relief. The subjects in both the massage therapy group and the therapeutic touch group achieved significantly higher comfort scores than the subjects in the friendly visit group. Overall, research supports massage therapy as an effective part of treating anxiety and depression.
It is important to go into a massage session with an open mind and not talk or think about any source of concern during the massage. Massage therapy is one of the best remedies for muscle tension; as the knots in your back melt, so can your worries.
