Massage Therapy: A Boon for Mentally Tired People
So, finally you’ve started looking for a massage therapist. Before finding your therapist, you might try to determine the issue. Why do you want it? Is it for treating depression, or perhaps you would like it to increase concentration levels. Whatever the reason, a series of massage therapies has been proved to be a boon for curing mental fatigue, anxiety, depression, as well other positive benefits.
In this article, we will see how massage therapy can change your life positively. Are you ready to read?
Massage for Mental Fatigue
Tiredness can be both physical and mental. Unhealthy diet, depression, overwork, improper sleep, side-effects of certain medicines – all can be the root-causes of emotional fatigue. Followed by chiropractors, massage therapists are the most preferred complementary medicine providers across the US. A recent study has shown that US residents are spending approximately $11 billion annually on massage. Moreover, the statistics of the project of the American Massage Therapy Association demonstrates that this percentage is going to rise considerably in the coming future.
Mundane activities of daily life can create tension in your muscles. It is when these muscles tense chronically that your mind too becomes affected. Preventing the further activation of stress-related hormones, massage redresses the natural balance of the body. In this way, it treats mental or emotional fatigue.
Works Great in Alleviating Depression
Many mentally tired people are experiencing or have experienced depression to some extent. A common treatment is the use of anti-depressant medication, a seemingly easy solution, and in some cases this is a very suitable treatment. Another conventional approach to tackle depression at its root is psychotherapy, commonly called ‘talking therapy’. Both forms of treatment are, in particular situations highly effective, especially in the short-term. However, longer term side-effects experienced with the use of medication, and a limit to how much talking can actually resolve issues, means that another complementary remedy is necessary.
Though massage treats several mental health conditions, yet in treating depression it gives outstanding results. A recent report on the effectiveness of massage proved that depressed people receiving massage have reported lower levels of depression compared to those who don’t receive this therapy.
While massaging, the level of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the body is increased. Serotonin is a hormone found mainly in the digestive tract as well as the brain. Apart from affecting digestion and appetite, it also monitors the social behaviour and the mood of a person. Massage also triggers the release of dopamine, another neurotransmitter, and the one associated with mood boosting. Oxytocin, also a feel-good hormone, is generated during massaging sessions too.
In the western world, people used to see massage more as a luxury, as something a little bit indulgent. In the medical world though, things are changing at a rapid rate. Eastern cultures have long used forms of regular massage in daily life. Terms like ‘shiatsu’, ‘reiki’ and ‘acupuncture’ have been recognised by our Asian neighbors as methods to be used in treatments. Complementing traditional western treatments, massage therapies are evolving as an option to counteract or even reduce the amount of adrenaline and cortisol – those hormones released in stressful situations – and to increase dopamine and serotonin to enable you to overcome emotional fatigue.
According to the report presented by researchers of the University of Miami School of Medicine, different kinds of massage therapies can lower the levels of cortisol by up to 53%.
[Source: The Cloud Massage Studio ]
However, the best in positive results are achieved when massage is performed under the guidance and expertise of a certified therapist. The trained expert uses massage as a holistic treatment technique, and does so by understanding an individual’s background, including any medical conditions. The massage center should be designed to allow clients to feel comfortable, and ideally a massage therapist encourages open discussion about any issues currently affecting life.
Experienced and renowned therapists throughout the world believe that a good massage is equal to three hours of sound sleep. Since much ‘damage’ to the body is mostly repaired during sleep, the beneficial technique of massage does the same thing. Those who suffer some degree of insomnia can benefit greatly from regular massage, especially if the insomnia itself cannot be resolved. It also plays an essential role in boosting immunity by increasing circulating white blood cells. This immunity is crucial in fighting viral diseases. This indirectly greatly impacts the state of mind. When you’re physically healthy, you’ll feel happy from the inside. In the same way, when you’re stressed, you’ll start to observe certain disease symptoms. The good thing is that by opting for massage, you can have a happy and healthy life.