How can massage help with depression?

In today’s society, depression is a battle for many. Depression can make one feel sad, lifeless, empty, apathetic, and much more. Depression is different for everyone, and can be treated many ways. The average research subject who received massage had a level of depression that was lower than 73 percent of those who did not. There are prescription antidepressants that are out there, but not everyone reacts to medicine positively. Alternative therapies such as massage are great ways to help with depression. One way to help heal the body through massage is self massage if you can’t get to a therapist. There are many reasons why massage can help with reversing depression.


First, the simple feeling of touch from skilled hands can help with a depressed mood. The feeling given from a massage is similar to when someone pats your shoulder or gives you a hug it’s comforting, and allows the body to relax. Secondly, research shows that massage stimulates nerve receptors linked directly to the nervous system, which release chemicals into the body. Dopamine and serotonin levels are increased during massage, which enhances moods. As well as oxytocin, a hormone that generates feelings of contentment. The level of cortisol in the body is lowered during a massage, which then can decrease the amount of stress one feels. Lastly, since massage improves circulation and eases away pain, it directly combats depression through pain relief. 


It seems evident that a good massage has a variety of positive psychological implications as well, from receiving nurturing touch from another person, anticipating that the experience will be beneficial. Overall massage therapy enhances feelings of well-being.

Massage is a Healing Tool

In the hectic world that we live in today, it always seems difficult to find time for ourselves. Sometimes our various life styles can put heavy stress on our mind and body. Have you considered a holistic approach to remedy stress, muscle soreness, restless nights, and other side effects of a busy life?

Everyday we push our bodies’ limits. Our muscles can get tired and tense as we become stressed. Massage therapy can relieve that stress, and heal your body. Kneading and rubbing the body relaxes and loosens the muscles, which allows for improved sleep. Overall, a massage can decrease anxiety, and give your body more energy without the risk that comes with the use of prescription medicine.

Massage therapy also decreases the amount of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that kills immunity cells. Getting a massage can decrease the cortisol levels greatly, and in turn strengthens our immune systems. So, by boosting the immune system you can prevent yourself from getting a cold, flu or other illnesses.

More specifically, massage helps with the circulatory system. By applying the right pressure on your muscles the therapist is able to allow fresh blood flow throughout the body, which helps with blood pressure, the heating and cooling of the body, and oxygen exchange. Improved performance of the lymph system helps the body carry away toxins that are in the muscles and decrease swelling.

   

After a massage, the body feels new and refreshed. Just treating your body to one 15-minute massage a week can drastically help heal your body from varies physical activities and home and work related stress. At Waters of Atlantis you can choose a deep tissue, Swedish, prenatal, or a hot stone massage. Each technique has its own benefits, and we can help you find what is better suited for you achieving complete holistic health. 

Benefits of Massage

Massage is not a luxury; it is a tool that is essential in keeping you doing the things you love to do. Do you want to ski, run, and cycle or be the best parent you can be? Massage is an essential tool to keep you doing what you love to do better and longer. Massage comes in a variety of forms to fit your needs and when mixed with additional wellness tools like chiropractic care, fitness and nutrition.

As we age our muscles build up scar tissue from old injuries, repetitive use and inactivity. This accumulative stress on our muscles shortens and tightens the muscles and creates a loss of function and decreased range of motion in the joint. Massage is a key ingredient in keeping muscles young.

Improves Immune function

Research has proven that getting regular massage optimizes your lymphatic system and helps your body get rid of toxins, enhance your immune system and Mike Tyson anything foreign that enters your body.

Lowers blood pressure

Stress plays a major role in the increase of blood pressure. Regular massage reduces stress and improves blood circulation which in return helps lower blood pressure.

Improves posture

Recently, there has been a large increase in the research and development of posture corrective techniques and the direct correlation to your overall health. But years ago, Thomas Edison said it best; “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame (posture), in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” The future is now, so welcome to the future of real health care not disease care. Welcome to OolaMoola!

Speeds up healing

Immediately after an injury the body starts to create inflammation and then scar tissue begins to set up in the injured muscle. Massage works in all three stages of healing. Initially in managing and controlling inflammation, then in increasing circulation to speed healing and in the final phase massage increases flexibility and reduces scar tissue formation.

Reduces injury risk

This is very obvious…the more relaxed and supple the muscle the less likely of injury. But, it goes deeper than that with proper muscle function and nerve firing, you will also reduce the stress on ligaments and injury risk to ligament and bone.

Additional benefits of regular massage includes:

Relieves Stress

Encourages Relaxation

Improves Circulation

Helps Manage acute and chronic Pain

Relaxes tight Muscles

Relieves Tension Headaches

Enhances Post-Operative Rehabilitation

Improves Rehabilitation

Manage Fibromyalgia Pain

Reduction Depression and Anxiety

Arthritis related pain

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Circulatory Problems

Insomnia

Sports Injuries

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Musculo-Skeletal Disorders

By. Candace Lee-Staples L.M.T.