Can Massages Actually Reduce Stress?
​Is getting a massage really worth the cash?
​Massage therapy is any treatment where a therapist manipulates the body’s muscles and soft tissues to relieve pain or decrease stress. But all massage is not created equal! Strategies range from deep tissue (often called Swedish) massage to reflexology, where the therapist applies pressure to a specific point on the body in order to relieve pain.
And the list of ailments massage can be used to treat is just as long as the list of massage types. One recent study found that massage therapy can reduce pain, promote muscle relaxation, and improve both mood and sleep quality . Another study found that after subjects were massaged, the levels of cortisol (a hormone contributing to stress) in their saliva decreased . One study also found massage therapy’s pleasurable qualities can lead to recipients reporting a better body image, especially for women .
Swedish, hot stone, aromatherapy, deep tissue, shiatsu— the list of massage types is more than 100 strong! And while most good rub downs feel delightful, is getting a massage really worth the cash? It may well be— studies suggest massage therapy can be beneficial not only in reducing physical pain, but also for improving mood and fighting stress .
AT TheTherapyWeb.com we provide quality evidence based Professional Development CPE - CEU workshops for Massage Therapist in a very convenient and cost effective format. Our Professional Development CPE - CEU workshops have been designed to give the therapist a scientific understanding to back up their work while studying from their home or clinic.