How Regular Massage Helps Improve Mental Health

Massage therapy is commonly used for relaxation and pain relief, however, it can also improve one's mental health. There is a lot of research and studies that show that massage can reduce anxiety and depression with benefits that are on par with psychotherapy.

Even though depression is considered a mental health issue, a lot of the symptoms manifest in the body. Clients suffering from depression report a feeling of heaviness in their body. After a good massage, clients report feeling lighter in both their body and in their spirit. They have a feeling of living in the body and not being lost in their head and thoughts. Many times, clients will report having an insight during their session which helps them solve a problem. With this new outlook, they remember what it feels like to be calm and a relaxed state of being.

When you educate the client and have them remember how good massage makes them feel, it is important to set up a schedule with them to reinforce these effects of massage. I often use the analogy of a freight train. Have you ever noticed how a freight train gets moving? The engine jerks forward and a couple of cars near the engine start to move. The engine keeps jerking forward and with each jerk, more cars are set in motion until the whole train is rolling along the track.

Setting up a schedule for regular maintenance will be different for each client. By trial and error, we will see how long you can go without a "tune up", as one client likes to call it.

There are many factors in everyday life that can cause anxiety; money, family and health issues, just to name a few. Anxiety is not something to be ashamed of. In fact, most of us suffer from it to some extent; some people just experience a higher level at times. What happens is that anxiety causes the body to tighten up and that creates physical pain. This pain then leads to more anxiety and worry. It is a vicious circle that must be broken for the patient to feel relief, both physically and emotionally.

Even surgical facilities are beginning to use massage therapy for their patients. Anxiety is very common in patients about to undergo a surgical procedure, no matter how routine. Many facilities nationwide are using these services to offer patients a 15 minute massage to help ease their fears and anxiety about their upcoming procedure. This has been proven to reduce anxiety going into surgery, which also reduces the risk for complications such as hemorrhage or stroke. This is a simple, effective and inexpensive way to ease the anxiety level of surgical patients

Massage therapy has been shown to help your mental health. It allows you to free your mind of your negative thoughts while relieving the pain that can add to anxiety. This is one way that many people are finding relief without the use of medications. While you should always talk to a doctor about medications to help ease your mental afflictions, you should also discuss with him/her about incorporating massage therapy in your treatment. This is one type of therapy where, if you continue it regularly, you will continue to feel relief.

Eugene Wood is a leading NYC Massage Therapist who also maintains an office in Wantagh NY for massage treatment. Learn more by visiting his website at NYC-Massage.com