Massage therapy is immediately thought of for its healing abilities when it comes to physical aches and pains, but one of its most important benefits is its ability to help those who suffer from anxiety and depression.
Massage therapy not only can help target physical symptoms that come with depression and anxiety, but it also targets the mental symptoms by increasing the patient’s energy by allowing them to relax and unwind. This increase in energy gives people the confidence and strength to get through their day.
On a deeper level, massage therapy also reduces cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone. When cortisol levels are low, so are heart rate, anxiety, and blood pressure. Neurotransmitters in the brain are also affected by massage therapy. These neurotransmitters activate the serotonin and dopamine output levels, and when increased, it can result in the reduction of depression.
More specifically, hand massage alone can be quite effective. Hand massage can lead to a shift in signals to the brain, which as a result, is calming and lets the person have a break from all of their anxious thoughts.
Untreated depression and anxiety can have long-term negative affects on the body. Not only will massage therapy help physically to work out some of the aches and pains, but also scientifically, humans respond positively to tactile stimulation, which will help soothe patients mentally.
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