Massage and Bodywork for Stress Relief
Research Shows Therapeutic Touch Helps with Relaxation
Mar 6, 2009
For some massage therapy can be a great way to unplug and hit the reset button on the stress meter. An hour of adult time-out, bodywork can help the body to reach a state of relaxation that helps improve sleep functions and encourage wellbeing.
In a 2009 survey by Harstad Strategic Research, sponsored by the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals association, 58 percent of those polled were receiving massage for “relaxation, restoration or stress relief.” The association’s president, Les Sweeney, commented in a March 5, 2009 press relief that “massage therapy has been shown to reduce stress hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, strengthen the immune system and improve attentiveness, so it’s an excellent strategy for challenging times.”
Choosing a Bodywork Modality for Stress Relief
Massage and bodywork consumers have a variety of modalities to choose from amongst the therapeutic touch field. For general stress relief a simple Swedish massage can go a long way.
- Swedish massage – the classic massage style that incorporates long strokes across the back and limbs.
- Deep tissue massage – popular amongst those that need a deeper style of massage but still want a bit of the relaxation aspect.
- Maya Abdominal massage – geared towards those with gastrointestinal and reproductive organ complaints this style is primarily over the trunk of the body and has been helpful for menstrual cramps and digestive disorders.
- Foot Reflexology – a form of bodywork that is exclusively done on the feet, considered a clinical or therapeutic modality with a deeply relaxing side-effect.
- Reiki – an energywork modality that is commonly seen in hospitals as well as private practices.
- Polarity massage – a combination of Swedish massage and energywork, some consider this the “best of both worlds” for energy and bodywork combinations.
Massage as Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Massage is part of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or CAM. It fits under the umbrella of manipulative and body-based practices, as described by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM.
A new research study was launched in 2006 by the Center for Health Studies based in Seattle, Washington. The project is researching the use of therapeutic massage for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Researchers hope to fill the gap of information for the effectiveness of massage in a diagnosed anxiety disorder. A proposed project end date is the end of August 2009.
Sources:
- National Consumer Research Show Many Americans More Stressed Than a Year Ago, March 5, 2009 electronic press release from Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals.
- Therapeutic Massage for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, ClinicalTrials.gov, accessed online March 6, 2009.
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