Massage and its emotional benefits.

We all know the lovely sensation of "feel good" chemicals swimming around in our brains after a good massage (and if you don't know what I'm talking about then please, PLEASE book yourself in for a treatment ASAP so you too will understand), though the effects of massage on your body as a whole are remarkably more healing and beneficial than you may first think.

The main obvious benefits and reason we seek massage in the first place is the reduction in tension and sore spots in our muscles and soft tissues, an increase in flexibility and muscle length as a result of it relaxing and having the muscle fibres rearranged into their uniform direction. There are other, more systemic or whole body effects too that maybe you've felt and not known why?

The most surprising effect that can occur during a massage is known as an emotional release. Some people experience a sudden rush of powerful emotions whilst receiving a massage. This can present in the form of euphoria, anger, grief, fear or sadness and often comes on without warning. I had learned of this phenomena occurring during my studies but it wasn't until later through my courses whilst receiving a massage from a fellow student that this phenomena happened to me! It was an amazing massage treatment and then all of a sudden, I was filled with sadness and actually broke down crying uncontrollably (Covid lockdown was a challenging time for everyone). If you ever experience this whilst receiving a massage please know that it is perfectly normal and you are not alone. The reason this release can sometimes be triggered is that just like your brain remembers somebody's unique smell that reminds you of them every time you smell it, the body also remembers certain experiences and with the right combination of sensations, you can be reminded of those memories too, often without the experience being remembered, just the sensation and emotional attachment.

The emotional benefits of massage are as a direct result of the chemical release of dopamine and endorphins which make us feel good. The nerve endings that are found in both your neck and your lower spine are associated with triggering a "parasympathetic response" otherwise known as "rest & digest". You may have heard the term "fight or flight response" in relation to the bodies reaction to a threat? well the "rest & digest" is the antithesis of that, causing the body to relax and literally digest your food in your digestive tract. You know that zen feeling you have when you receive a good massage? that's what we're talking about.

Anxiety reduction is one of the most well-established effects of massage therapy with evidence for this crossing multiple presenting conditions and populations. In a 2004 meta-analysis of 37 studies, reductions in trait anxiety and depression were identified as massage therapy’s largest effects. ➊ A number of studies also show that massage therapy increases oxytocin, which may be one of the mechanisms by which it mediates anxiety.

➊ Moyer, C.A., Rounds, J. & Hannum, J.W. (2004). A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychol Bull, 130(1), 3-18.