We all face stress on a daily basis. That stress becomes locked as tension into various parts of the body, and is a deterrence to the health and relaxation of the mind and body. Massage therapy gives your body a moment to rest, and to reap not only physical, but psychological benefits.

Many people who receive massages fail to acknowledge and harvest the psychological benefits of massage therapy. Enjoying massage therapy will release tension in your mind, creating a better sense of awareness yet simultaneously allowing clearer thinking, better sleep, and reduced anxiety. Give your body and mind a moment to stop in this fast-paced world we live in, with a session of massage therapy. You will notice the benefits of massage therapy immediately. The rejuvenating feeling of massage therapy helps cope with your daily worries. The following article from Livestrong explains the psychological benefits of massage therapy.

Psychological Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is offered in numerous different ways including business, clinics, hospitals and in private homes. The Mayo Clinic defines massage as a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage therapists will use their hands and fingers for massage and the intensity may range from light stroking to deep pressure techniques. The most common types of massage are swedish, deep tissue, sports and trigger point. All types offer physical and psychological benefits including stress relief and muscle relaxation.

Depression Relief

Depression is quickly becoming a public health problem and is spreading in unmeasurable numbers. There are many treatments for depression but massage therapy may be one of the best. The National Health Institute claims that there is strong evidence to suggest that massage therapy is an effective treatment of depression. Massage therapy affects depression by reducing stress, adding relaxation, and building a relationship between the therapist and patient. Massage also causes the body to release the hormone oxytocin which is known to create bonding.

Reduce Anxiety

A new study from the National Institute of Health shows that patients, on average, had half the symptoms of anxiety three months after getting a series of 10 hour long massages. It is thought that the benefits of massage may be due to a generalized relaxation response. This relaxation response can control and even prevent anxiety from occurring.

Release Endorphins

Endorphins are the feel good hormone released by the body in times of joy and happiness. It is essentially the body’s natural pain killer. During massage endorphins are released leading to massage therapy being used for chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain. Because of this release massage is also good for relief of pain for migraine sufferers.

During your next massage therapy session, indulge yourself in the psychological benefits of massage therapy. Give your mind a moment to unwind and release ongoing worries. Receiving regular treatment will amplify the physical and psychological benefits of massage therapy. Releasing tension on a consistent basis will help prevent tension from building initially. With each massage therapy session, you will create a greater sense of awareness throughout your body. You’ll feel a clearer sense of self.

Giving yourself a moment to relax is crucial for your overall health. Bottling up intense emotions and tensions is detrimental to ones wellbeing. Massage therapy is just one of the many ways that helps release inner tension. If you’re interested in experiencing massage therapy, contact The Spa at Richard Francis today. We’d love to help you relax!