24/08/2016
"Therapeutic massage for Anxiety.
A new study found that massages may actually help treat anxiety and other mental health disorders, like depression, due to their ability to reduce cortisol and anxiety symptoms.
Why do massages work so well in helping manage stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues?
It all comes down to the importance of touch and intimacy in human emotional, physical and mental well-being. Research has shown the frequent touches - like hugs, caresses, massages, or kisses - can foster bonds between people, improve immune system function, decrease heart rate and blood pressure and overall improve emotional well-being. In addition to the purely physical benefits of massages, they can also provide similar results as exercise or meditation.
Source: Rapaport M et al, Acute Swedish Massage Monotherapy Successfully Remediates Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Proof-of-Concept, Randomized Controlled Study. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2016."