How Massage Therapy Provides Natural Anxiety Relief

Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults each year in the United States. And yet, only a small percentage seek treatment. 

There are many ways to reduce stress and learn to cope with anxiety in a healthy and effective way, including natural treatments. One way to achieve natural anxiety relief is through massage therapy. 

Read on to find out more.

What Causes Anxiety? 

Most people experience some level of anxiety on an occasional basis. Financial problems, health concerns, relationship issues, and more can cause anxiety and stress. However, those with anxiety disorders experience chronic and persistent worries and fears. 

Anxiety disorders can impact a person’s quality of life. It may interfere with work, school, family life, and more. 

Different types of anxiety disorders include panic, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and phobia disorders. There are also different severity levels. 

Treatments for Anxiety

The most common treatments for anxiety disorders include medications and therapy. Most people receive the biggest benefit from combining the two. 

Anxiety is different for each individual. As such, it takes trial and error to find the best treatment option. There are various medications prescribed and different methods of therapy to try.

Besides psychotherapy and medications, doctors may recommend natural remedies for managing anxiety levels. Examples include the following:

• Regular exercise
• Meditation
• Deep breathing
• Improved diet
• Aromatherapy
• Herbal supplements
• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy

Combining different methods for treatment is one of the best ways to find relief from persistent fears and stress. 

Is Massage Therapy Right for Your Situation?

Before seeking natural remedies, you should talk to a medical professional about your anxiety. Since anxiety disorders range in severity, a medical professional will evaluate your case and prescribe an appropriate course of treatment. 

In addition to medications and psychotherapy, your doctor will discuss ways you can start to make healthy changes in your life that will help you cope with daily symptoms. 

Massage therapy is often used to provide natural anxiety relief, similar to acupuncture, aromatherapy, etc. It can benefit anyone by helping them to unwind and relax, giving the body a moment to rest. 

You can schedule massage therapy once a month, every few weeks, or whatever works for you. 

But do massages help those with anxiety? 

The History Behind Massages and Relaxation

The history of massage goes back to at least 3000 BCE. In ancient India, it was considered a sacred type of natural healing. It was passed down for generations as a way to heal injuries, pain, and illness. 

As a method used in Ayurveda, it was believed that people out of sync with their environment would develop illnesses and diseases. The massage was used to restore the body’s balance and promote natural healing. 

Methods of massage traveled to China and became a type of traditional Chinese medicine. The ancient Chinese also believed that diseases were due to imbalances in the body. 

From there, massage therapy made its way to Egypt, Japan, and beyond. Different methods of massage developed over the years. 

By the 1930s, the Swedish massage was used as a respected form of medicine. In the 1950s, massage therapy was listed as a valid form of treatment under the physical therapy category. 

In more recent years, massage and relaxation therapy has seen a surge in popularity as a form of treatment. 

What the Research Says

So, what does science say about the effectiveness of massage as a form of anxiety relief? As it turns out, numerous studies have shown the benefits of using massages to help people with everything from chronic pain to anxiety. 

Therapeutic massage provides a feeling of safety, comfort, and relief. Interpersonal touch releases neurochemicals, such as oxytocin, which are tied to feelings of trust and bonding. Recent studies have also revealed that oxytocin can lower stress and anxiety levels. 

Massage therapy gives the patient a safety message, which naturally puts them at ease and helps them relax. 

Receiving a massage also lowers cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is often known as the body’s primary stress hormone. It increases glucose and curbs non-essential functions in a fight-or-flight situation. 

Cortisol suppresses the digestive and reproductive systems and alters immune system responses. However, in people with anxiety disorders, the body enters this fight-or-flight situation in non-lethal situations, such as being stuck in morning traffic or while public speaking. 

Too much cortisol in the body has many negative side effects, such as weight gain, increased blood sugar levels, a higher risk of illness, digestive problems, and more. 

A one-hour massage can help reduce these cortisol levels, helping patients with chronic anxiety relax. A massage also releases serotonin, also known as the “happy chemical.” 

Even a short period of downtime can have a positive impact on your body, both physically and mentally. A recent study revealed that after only ten minutes, patients receiving a massage had higher levels of psychological and physiological relaxation. 

Find Natural Anxiety Relief

If you’re struggling with an anxiety disorder, massage therapy provides many benefits that will help you to relax. Not only does a massage reduce cortisol levels, but it also releases feel-good chemicals that promote relaxation and rest. In combination with other treatments, it’s a valid and effective method for reducing symptoms and coping with anxiety. 

The best part is that anyone can benefit from this type of treatment and find natural anxiety relief. Don’t let anxiety ruin your life; seek healing with us at Faces Spa. We offer a variety of different massage options, including deep tissue, Swedish, hot stone, and more.  

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