How therapeutic massage can help relieve stress and serve as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders.

Massage has been used for many centuries as part of medical treatment for a variety of health problems.  We all know how a good massage can help ease our tension after a long day at work.  So it makes sense that massage is now being used as a tool to treat anxiety, as we learn more about the connection between body and mind.

Massage therapy is best known for its physical benefits.  Regular massages are often prescribed for athletes who have been injured, patients with certain types of chronic pain, and those with repetitive stress injuries.

Massage is also a popular treatment choice for fibromyalgia patients.  Now more and more doctors are prescribing massage for anxiety and related problems due to the sense of well-being massage induces.

In most cases, massage is used in conjunction with other types of therapy rather than as a replacement for it.  It can complement anxiety drugs without any danger of interaction.

Massage is also a good choice for those who are unwilling to use drugs that could be addictive.  A combination of herbs, therapy and massage can be used to treat anxiety without potentially dangerous chemicals.

How Does Massage Reduce Anxiety?
One characteristic of anxiety is that it causes the muscles to tighten.  Tight muscles can cause pain or even injury.  If this occurs, it will contribute more anxiety to that which we are already experiencing.

Pain a vicious cycle, but one that can be broken.  Massage can loosen up those tight muscles, and that alone can help relieve anxiety in the short term.

Massage has also been found to reduce levels of stress hormones.  These hormones, over a long period of time, can have a negative effect on the body and mind, and are major contributors to anxiety in and of themselves.

It isn’t completely clear how massage lowers these hormone levels, but the important thing is that combined with the physical benefits comes a more positive frame of mind.

Regular massage can help keep stress hormone levels low, providing long-term anxiety relief without the need for harsh chemicals in the body.

Where to Get a Massage
Physicians usually recommend that their patients visit a licensed massage therapist.  A licensed therapist can determine which type of massage is best for you, and he will be experienced in providing beneficial massages.

But sometimes this just isn’t practical.  Your insurance may not cover it, you may get only limited coverage, or you simply might not have time to get regular massages.

There are some options for those who can’t visit a massage therapist.  One is to have someone you know give massages.  Your spouse might be willing to make a massage a part of your evening ritual before going to sleep, and it can even help bring you closer together as a couple as a bonus.

Massage chairs can be of benefit as well, though they can be expensive.

It’s also possible to massage yourself to a certain extent, such as hands, feet, legs, arms, even the small of your back.

While getting a massage from a professional is best, there’s little danger in trying it at home as long as you don’t have any medical conditions that counterindicate it, such as a bad back.

Although massage might not cure your anxiety on its own, it can go a long way toward helping you manage it naturally.  Talk to your doctor to see if massage therapy might be right for you to help lower your stress levels and help defeat your anxiety disorder.

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