There's so much to learn about the power of therapeutic touch in our lives. It is nurturing and healing and one of the most wholesome things you can give yourself to reduce stress and relax. So, take your time, look around, and when you are ready to benefit from your own massage research, then book with me in Apple Valley, CA for a professional session.
Massage reduces anxiety, stress, and increases alertness
In this study EEG studies were performed on people before, during, and after massage sessions. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that detects electrical activity in your brain. They also took math computation tests, depression and anxiety tests, and tests to measure chemical stress components in the body. The results of the massage was to increase the speed and accuracy of math computations due to increased alertness, reduced anxiety, less depressed, and lower cortisol levels.
In this study there was a significant reduction in self-reported anxiety (p < 0.001), resting heart rate (p < 0.05) and cortisol levels (p < 0.05) immediately following the initial and final massage therapy sessions. Significant improvements in hostility (p = 0.007) and depression scores (p < 0.001) on the SCL-90-R were observed in both treatment groups. Massage had immediate beneficial effects and may be a useful de-escalating tool.
Back pain is reduced by massage and range of motion improves
The massage group reported experiencing less pain, depression, anxiety and improved sleep. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance, and their serotonin and dopamine levels were higher. The conclusion was that massage therapy is effective in reducing pain, stress hormones and symptoms associated with chronic low back pain.
The massage therapy group reported experiencing less pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance.
https://www.bodyworkmovementtherapies.com/article/S1360-8592(06)00031-3/pdf
I've had specific training in working with people living with cancer. Therapeutic touch can be helpful during and after cancer. Contact me if you would like to learn how I can help - Randy
Bone pain from advanced cancer, results in intolerable pain, substantial morbidity, and impaired quality of life in cancer patients. Massage Therapy (MT) was shown to have benefits in reducing pain intensity and anxiety. No patient reported any adverse effects as a result of MT. The most significant impacts were experienced 15 to 20 minutes after the intervention. Implementing MT along with pharmacological treatment can enhance cancer pain management.
HIV clients benefited from daily massage showing immune system improvements: a significant increase in Natural Killer Cell number, Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity, soluble CD8, and the cytotoxic subset of CD8 cells. Major neuroendocrine findings include cortisol and catecholamines decrease.
Massage can help with CFS
MT was expected to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress hormones, as it has previously been shown to do in other groups of depressed individuals. Depression, anxiety, and pain not only decreased immediately after receiving the 1st massage, but continued to decrease over the 5-wk treatment period. MT helped alleviate not only fatigue symptoms but other somatic symptoms associated with CFS
Performance athletes benefit from massage by having lower pain, increased range of motion, and reduced stress
In this study massage and relaxation groups reported less depressed mood and lower anxiety levels. Both groups reported less neck, shoulder, and back pain after the treatment sessions. Only the massage therapy group showed decreased cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and increased range of motion including neck extension and shoulder abduction.
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jmrp/jdms/1999/00000003/00000003/art00003?crawler=true
Massage improves mood and outlook
In this study the massage therapy group showed behavioral and stress hormone changes including a decrease in anxious behavior, pulse, and cortisol levels.
Massage helps eating disorders by reducing stress and improving self-image
It was found that massage reduced the stress hormone cortisol, clients reported a decrease in body dissatisfaction, and healthy levels of dopamine and norepinephrine increased. These findings support other studies on the benefits of massage therapy for eating disorders.
Results indicated that the massaged patients showed immediate reductions (both self-report and behavior observation) in anxiety and depression. In addition, by the last day of the therapy, they had lower depression scores, lower cortisol (stress) levels, higher dopamine levels, and showed improvement on several other psychological and behavioral measures. These findings suggest that massage therapy is effective as an adjunct treatment for bulimia.
Massage from a skilled therapist can reduce symptoms of fibro
The study included massage and electrical stimulation (TENS). Massage therapy was the most effective. Results were lower anxiety and depression, and lower cortisol levels. Fibromyalgia patients reported less pain, less stiffness and fatigue, and fewer nights of difficult sleeping.
Headaches can melt away with massage therapy
The massage therapy subjects reported fewer distress symptoms, less pain, more headache free days, fewer sleep disturbances and they showed an increase in serotonin levels.
People who live through intense trauma sometimes have long lasting reactions that do not resolve naturally. Therapeutic massage in combination with other treatments can create beneficial improvements over time, assisting a person to move into a more normal state of being. For best results look for a Massage Therapist with many years of experience that you trust and that makes you feel safe. - Randy
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health diagnosis with prevalence estimated at about 2.4% in the general population. People with PTSD may feel stressed even when they aren’t in danger. Massage may provide stress relief, decrease anxiety, reduce depression and improve personal mood. Veterans reported that massage reduced pain, tension, irritability, anxiety/worry, and depression.
Information from the AMTA and references to 7 studies in link below
The PTSD Reaction Index indicated the children were experiencing severe posttraumatic stress. Children who received massage therapy reported being happier and less anxious and had lower cortisol levels after the therapy. In addition, the massage therapy group manifested lower anxiety, depression, and were observed to be more relaxed.
Some clients do not like receiving massage during that time of the month but studies show that regular massage can reduce severe PMS symptoms
The study included women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD). The massage group showed decreases in anxiety, depressed mood and pain immediately after the first and last massage sessions. The longer term (5 week) effects of massage therapy included a reduction in pain and water retention and overall menstrual distress. The findings of the study suggest that massage therapy may be an effective adjunct therapy for treating severe premenstrual symptoms
Unfortunately far too many people have experienced sexual abuse. Professional massage can help develop new neural pathways to lessen the effects of a traumatic experience. Thai massage may be an ideal approach as it is delivered over the clothes.
Women reported being less depressed and less anxious and their cortisol levels decreased following the session. Over the 1-month treatment period the massage therapy group experienced a decrease in depression and in life event stress. The group without massage reported an increasingly negative attitude toward touch.
The study looked at adult females who suffered from child sexual abuse, and used a combination of body awareness, professional bodywork delivered over clothes, and emotional processing. Analysis indicated significant improvement on all outcome measures for both intervention groups, providing support for the efficacy of body therapy in recovery from childhood sexual abuse.
Massage produces positive effects on biochemistry it decreases cortisol and increases serotonin and dopamine.
This research article reviewed the effects of massage on depression, sex abuse, eating disorders, pain syndrome, auto-immune conditions, asthma, HIV, breast cancer, job stress, age stress, and pregnancy stress. Average changes showed cortisol levels were reduced 31%, serotonin increased 28%, and dopamine increased 31%. The positive effects of massage therapy on biochemistry was documented over a brvariety of medical conditions and stressful experiences.
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