How Massage Therapy Can Help Reduce Anxiety 

Massage therapy is a great way to relax and reduce anxiety after a long week. Read on for more information on the benefits of massage therapy. 

We often think of anxiety as a mental health issue, but did you know it can also have significant physical effects? When we experience anxiety, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode, which causes us to feel tense and on edge. Fortunately, massage therapy can help reduce anxiety and its physical symptoms. 

Massage therapy is a form of relaxation that allows our bodies to release the tension that we build up from stress. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how massage therapy can help reduce anxiety and improve your overall mood. 

How Anxiety and Stress Affect You Physically 

Fight-or-flight mode is an evolutionary response that helped our ancestors survive in dangerous situations. In modern times, the fight-or-flight response is often triggered by everyday stressors like work deadlines, bills, and family obligations.  

The fight-or-flight response causes the body to release adrenaline and cortisol, two hormones that prepare the body for action. This results in the body becoming more alert and ready for action. The problem is that most of us don’t need to be in constant fight-or-flight mode; it’s not healthy for our bodies or our minds.  

When we’re in fight-or-flight mode, our muscles become tense and we may experience headaches, neck pain, back pain, or gastrointestinal issues. The physical symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating and make it difficult to live a normal life. Fortunately, massage therapy can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety by releasing tension in the muscles.  

How Anxiety and Stress Affect You Mentally 

In addition to its physical effects, anxiety can also take a toll on our mental health. When we’re stressed, we may find it difficult to concentrate or sleep. We may also start to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. Over time, these mental health issues can lead to depression or other mental health disorders.  

Massage therapy reduces the mental effects of anxiety. It improves sleep quality and decreases your levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Massage therapy can also increase levels of serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate mood. 

By reducing the physical and mental effects of anxiety, massage therapy can help you feel more relaxed and capable of dealing with everyday stressors.  

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Relaxation 

There are many different types of massage, but the ultimate goal of all massage therapy is to promote relaxation. Massage therapy has a number of benefits for both the body and the mind.  

Physically, massage therapy can help reduce pain, improve circulation, and release tension in the muscles. Massage therapy can also help improve the range of motion and flexibility.  

Mentally, massage therapy can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Massage therapy can also help improve sleep quality and concentration. It’s a safe and effective way to promote relaxation. If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety, consider seeking out a qualified massage therapist. 

Types of Massage Therapy That Help Reduce Anxiety 

Massage therapy is a manual therapy that uses pressure and movement to relieve pain and improve function. Massage therapists use their hands, forearms, elbows, or sometimes feet to knead muscles and soft tissues of the body. 

Swedish Massage 

Swedish massage is the most common type of massage therapy. It involves long, flowing strokes to relax the muscles and ease tension. 

Deep Tissue Massage 

A type of massage that uses slow, deep strokes to reach the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Deep tissue massage can help to treat chronic pain and muscle tension. 

Trigger Point Massage 

If you suffer from headaches or migraine this type of massage is for you. It focuses on specific areas of muscle tension and can help to relieve pain caused by anxiety and stress. 

Reflexology 

A type of massage that focuses on pressure points in the hands and feet. It is based on the belief that these points are connected to other parts of the body, and that massaging them can promote health in those parts of the body. 

Shiatsu 

This type of massage uses pressure and finger strokes on acupuncture points. It is said to help relieve tension and stress. 

Thai Massage 

Thai massage is a type of massage that uses stretching and compression techniques to relax the muscles. This type of massage can help to reduce pain, tension, and stress. 

Hot Stone Massage 

Heated, smooth stones are placed on specific points of the body. The heat can be soothing and help to loosen tight muscles. 

Chair Massage 

A massage is given while sitting in a special chair. It is beneficial for those who have a lot of muscle tension but are unable to lie down on a massage table. 

Prenatal Massage 

This is specifically designed for pregnant women. It can help to reduce stress, ease nausea, and improve circulation. 

Does Anxiety Cause Depression? 

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders. There are a number of theories about how anxiety and depression are linked. One theory is that anxiety leads to depression. 

This may be because the physical symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating and make it difficult to live a normal life. The mental effects of anxiety can also lead to depression. When we’re stressed, we may find it difficult to concentrate or sleep. 

We may also start to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. Over time, these mental health issues can lead to depression.  

Does Serotonin Reduce Anxiety? 

Serotonin is a hormone that helps regulate mood. Low levels of serotonin are linked to depression and anxiety. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to increase serotonin levels. One way to increase serotonin levels is through massage therapy. 

Massage therapy helps to increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Massage therapy can also help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety by releasing tension in the muscles. By reducing the physical and mental effects of anxiety, massage therapy can help you feel more relaxed and capable of dealing with everyday stressors. 

Schedule an Appointment with Your Massage Therapist 

Anxiety is a normal feeling that we all experience at one time or another. It’s only when those feelings are constant or overwhelming that they can become a problem. If you’re struggling to reduce anxiety, there are a number of things you can do to get relief. One treatment option is massage therapy. 

Consider adding massage therapy to your relaxation routine. Massage therapy has been shown to reduce the physical and mental effects of anxiety by releasing tension in the muscles and increasing levels of serotonin. 

Book an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 384-8400 to benefit from some of these amazing results.