When most people think of massage, they think of an indulgent experience that you undergo when you want to relax. This is certainly not incorrect. Massages can be very relaxing, and they do make you feel pampered. But they can do a lot more than that. Massages can help heal sore and injured muscles, and they can alleviate stress, which helps fight a huge array of ailments, from insomnia to poor digestion. The more you learn about massage and its benefits, the more amazing it becomes. Start learning by reading some of the many massage-related articles here on our website.
If you struggle with anxiety due to a health condition, life event, or chronic stress, consider trying massage therapy. Anxiety decreases your quality of life since you tend to worry all of the time and feel out of sorts. Anxiety may even be linked to muscle pain and fatigue. A massage therapist might help with these issues and help you get your anxiety under control. Here's how.
Massage Therapy Stimulates The PNS
Massage stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system. This part of your nervous system is responsible for relaxing your body and helping it to heal. When you are in a state of anxiety, your sympathetic nervous system is triggered instead.
That part of your nervous system keeps you in a state of fight or flight, and it keeps your body from healing or warding off disease. By triggering your PNS, your nervous system has a chance to calm down and allow your body to relax and recover from stress.
Massage Therapy Reduces Muscle Tension
When you're in a state of anxiety, you may tense your muscles. The muscles in your shoulders and back might get sore and tight. This could lead to back pain or even headaches. Massage is good at releasing tension in your muscles, and this might reduce the pain associated with anxiety.
Relaxing your muscles might also help with insomnia. Insomnia is linked to anxiety, and if massage helps reduce muscle pain and anxiety, you might be able to get better sleep at night.
Massages Can Boost Your Mood
When you have anxiety, you may also be worried and depressed a lot. Taking time to get a massage could elevate your mood. You'll have a block of time where you can relax and indulge in self-care and forget about your anxiety as much as possible. Your therapist might ask you to visualize relaxing scenes rather than dwell on your troubles while you're being massaged.
Massages Are Safe To Undergo
Massage therapy is worth a try when you have anxiety since there are no bad side effects. If you have a medical condition such as cancer, you may want to talk to your doctor about whether massage is right for you.
While some forms of massage might be painful, the types you have for anxiety are intended to relax you rather than stimulate you. Your therapist can use light or moderate pressure as you prefer. You can also have the massage according to your comfort level. You may want to avoid certain areas of your body and remain fully clothed; whatever your preferences are, the experience is catered to you to ensure you feel as relaxed as possible.
For more information, turn to a massage therapist such as Luata L.F. Bray, L.M.T.
Share11 May 2022
