People that live with high levels of stress, anxiety can lack confidence and may find it hard to take the necessary steps to treat or improve their mental health and wellbeing.
More often, people are using massage as a means to improve their mental health and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Why Massage?
Massage is a non invasive and affordable treatment option that has a variety of benefits.
While having physical benefits such as pain reduction, tension release, and improved healing, massage can also provide physiological changes which lead to improved mental state.
How Does Massage Help My Mental Health?
Massage provides relaxation and stress relief through the body, making it a powerful tool which can be implemented as part of a treatment plan.
The application of massage has three main physiological outcomes:
- Increased release of endorphins
- The release of serotonin and dopamine, known as the ‘happiness hormones’, during treatment can leave a patient feeling positive, relaxed, and happy.
- Reduced cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone that is related to stress. Massage can reduce the production of cortisol and have a positive effect on stress levels and anxiety.
The stimulation of soft tissue during massage increases blood flow through the area, which leads to an increase in body temperature. This stimulation promotes relaxation and stress relief.
The Value of Massage in a Holistic Treatment Plan:
As we all know, being physically active has an outstanding positive impact on mental health. However, those who are affected by stress, anxiety, or depression may find it challenging to be active due to their mental state.
Massage can be effectively used as a trigger to return to being active. The mental and physical benefits of massage make it significantly easier for someone to return to activity so that they can enjoy the mental health benefits of being active and getting back to doing what they love.
When Can Massage Help My Mental Health?
There are three scenarios to consider when using massage as a tool for mental wellbeing:
- After a stressful event, cortisol levels in the body tend to rise, leading to heightened anxiety. Massage can help lower these levels and promote relaxation
- Prior to something stressful, you may be nervous or stressed about an event and in preparation for that event, massage can lower stress and provide mental clarity.
- Incorporating massage regularly and making it part of a routine is a motivating way to manage stress while boosting mood. This proactive approach is strongly recommended, as it helps prevent issues before they escalate, rather than reacting after symptoms arise.
Experiencing these life changing benefits can be the first step to taking control and regaining the confidence to achieve an active and happy lifestyle. Myotherapists strive to help patients maintain low levels of stress and anxiety, and remedial massage and myotherapy form a core part of this.
