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Massage and Depression
There have been many studies highlighting the benefits of massage. Recently people have been learning much more about the effects of massage on depression. While nobody can claim to cure depression, massage can help to lessen some of the debilitating symptoms.
Exercise has been proven to be beneficial for depression, but there was a recent study that pointed to massage as being even more beneficial. There were two test groups in this study, one group was given two 40 minute massages for 5 weeks, and the other group was given motion exercises for the same amount of time. While both groups showed some improvement, the massage group showed significant lowering in their levels of depression.
What happens during a massage to help lessen some symptoms of depression? Massage therapy stimulates the body to reduce the levels of cortisol in your body, which is also known as the internal "fight or flight" mechanism. While the cortisol decreases, the massage will also give a boost to the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and other mood stabilizing neruotransmitters in the brain. Some people who participated in studies have reported much less tension, pain, and need for medication once massage became a part of their routine. Even a simple scalp and shoulder massage can start the relaxation process througout the entire body.
When it comes to depression, touch is a very important step in the healing process. So, if you find yourself needing a boost of endorphins and seratonin, come see us!
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