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Would you like to boost your emotions & re-connect with your inner-self? Our emotions drive every aspect of our lives & effect our mental, physical & spiritual health at its very core, both positively & negatively. Scientific research has shown that holistic massage can skyrocket your positive emotions, & help optimize your psychological & physical health.
So read on to see what a wonderful massage can do for you…
As we become ever more dominated by tech, we find ourselves highly stressed, and isolated by being super-glued to our computers for hours on end. We almost obsessively multi-check our smartphones, which have now become arm extensions; and being continuously connected in this way is linked to higher stress levels. Many of us seem totally unable to simply ‘switch off,’ this detrimental tech-overload and lack of human-to-human interaction and touching makes booking regular In-Home Therapeutic Massage an ideal solution to balance up both mentally and physically. This first-class form of therapeutics takes us back to our human roots, by re-empowering us with our innate emotional feelings of connection, comfort, and being cared for. Things that we can never get from a smartphone, tablet or laptop!
As we become ever more dominated by tech, we find ourselves highly stressed, and isolated by being super-glued to our computers for hours on end. We almost obsessively multi-check our smartphones, which have now become arm extensions; and being continuously connected in this way is linked to higher stress levels.
Many of us seem totally unable to simply ‘switch off,’ this detrimental tech-overload and lack of human-to-human interaction and touching makes booking regular In-Home Therapeutic Massage an ideal solution to balance up both mentally and physically. This first-class form of therapeutics takes us back to our human roots, by re-empowering us with our innate emotional feelings of connection, comfort, and being cared for. Things that we can never get from a smartphone, tablet or laptop!
Enjoying this form of optimal health and wellness for our mind, body and spirit, not only helps us lead our best life; it is also contagious to those around us, be they family and loved ones, work colleagues, or the public at large who we interact with each and every day. But we cannot achieve this blissful state of inner balance, wellness and harmony, if we are not in a relaxed mental and physical state. – And such relaxation demands that we take positive action, which means doing all we can to ameliorate our highly stressed lives.
“Touch therapy or massage therapy has got hard science on its side. It’s not just good for our muscles; it’s good for our entire physical & mental health. Proper uses of touch truly have the potential to transform the practice of medicine.” Berkley University, 2010
Counteracting the negative impact of our high-pressured lifestyles, and shedding off our overburdened, overworked, mega-stimulated, and over-scheduled way of living is the only way to go. And one of the best way to do this is to schedule in some ‘me-time,’ by treating ourselves to regular In-Home Massage treatments from highly trained professional therapists who can melt away our stress and built-up tension in no time. This will empower us to empty our mind and relax in a peaceful and positive space as we connect with our inner-self. The one that we used to know long ago. And the one that with the right care and attention can make a rapid come back and give us a fabulous boost to be at our best and take on all the things, both good and bad, that come into our path.
Counteracting the negative impact of our high-pressured lifestyles, and shedding off our overburdened, overworked, mega-stimulated, and over-scheduled way of living is the only way to go. And one of the best way to do this is to schedule in some ‘me-time,’ by treating ourselves to regular In-Home Massage treatments from highly trained professional therapists who can melt away our stress and built-up tension in no time.
This will empower us to empty our mind and relax in a peaceful and positive space as we connect with our inner-self. The one that we used to know long ago. And the one that with the right care and attention can make a rapid come back and give us a fabulous boost to be at our best and take on all the things, both good and bad, that come into our path.
Getting the Best Emotional & Physical Benefits
We all look forward to seeing our massage therapist arrive at the door and love to be taken to a place in our minds where we can be cut off from all life’s stresses and strains. There is no better feeling than relaxing on the massage table, and just letting the magic happen. Did you know that massage is now regarded as integrative medicine; and that it is increasingly being given as an adjunct to conventional physical and psychological medical conditions? In fact, as the Mayo Clinic, states: massage provides a huge span of science-backed benefits. These incorporate: promoting relaxation and lowering stress; boosting immune function; reducing muscle tension and soreness; lowering pain; improving alertness, energy and circulation and decreasing blood pressure and heart rate. At even more good news, a number of medical studies have determined that massage could also be beneficial for: anxiety, headaches, stress-related insomnia; nerve pain; fibromyalgia; digestive disorders; myofascial pain syndrome; lower back pain; soft tissue injuries and strains, temporomandibular joint pain; and sports injuries. What other form of natural treatment could be better?
We all look forward to seeing our massage therapist arrive at the door and love to be taken to a place in our minds where we can be cut off from all life’s stresses and strains. There is no better feeling than relaxing on the massage table, and just letting the magic happen. Did you know that massage is now regarded as integrative medicine; and that it is increasingly being given as an adjunct to conventional physical and psychological medical conditions? In fact, as the Mayo Clinic, states: massage provides a huge span of science-backed benefits.
These incorporate: promoting relaxation and lowering stress; boosting immune function; reducing muscle tension and soreness; lowering pain; improving alertness, energy and circulation and decreasing blood pressure and heart rate. At even more good news, a number of medical studies have determined that massage could also be beneficial for: anxiety, headaches, stress-related insomnia; nerve pain; fibromyalgia; digestive disorders; myofascial pain syndrome; lower back pain; soft tissue injuries and strains, temporomandibular joint pain; and sports injuries. What other form of natural treatment could be better?
Putting a Spotlight on the Science
“The science of touch convincingly suggests that we’re wired to and need to connect with other people on a basic physical level”
The University of California Berkeley’s School of Public Health published an article on human touch by highlighting some interesting research which shows substantial therapeutic benefits. But this should not come as a surprise as we know that we often feel elevated, whenever we are touched or soothed in a caring way. For example, by a friend who holds our hand or puts their arm around us; or from a holistic massage therapist who works on all the main areas of our body. This euphoric feeling is backed up by science, which indicates that part of our brain which is linked to our feelings of compassion and reward, goes into action, whenever we are touched in a kind way.
The University of California Berkeley’s School of Public Health published an article on human touch by highlighting some interesting research which shows substantial therapeutic benefits. But this should not come as a surprise as we know that we often feel elevated, whenever we are touched or soothed in a caring way.
For example, by a friend who holds our hand or puts their arm around us; or from a holistic massage therapist who works on all the main areas of our body. This euphoric feeling is backed up by science, which indicates that part of our brain which is linked to our feelings of compassion and reward, goes into action, whenever we are touched in a kind way.
The wonderful forms of touch provided by the massage therapist during the massage releases the hormone oxytocin. This is renowned for its effects on boosting well-being and giving stress the boot. Further, touch via massage triggers our vagus nerve, which is closely intertwined with our compassionate response. Also, studies show that: pregnant women who receive massage therapy find their prenatal depression much improved. And patients suffering from cardiovascular stress, which is a clear and present danger in Canada found that their condition ameliorated. And very importantly, touch has been shown to fight disease. To that end, in light of such positive research by leading institutions, it makes sense to make human touch/massage therapy part of our regular wellness schedule.
The wonderful forms of touch provided by the massage therapist during the massage releases the hormone oxytocin. This is renowned for its effects on boosting well-being and giving stress the boot. Further, touch via massage triggers our vagus nerve, which is closely intertwined with our compassionate response. Also, studies show that: pregnant women who receive massage therapy find their prenatal depression much improved.
And patients suffering from cardiovascular stress, which is a clear and present danger in Canada found that their condition ameliorated. And very importantly, touch has been shown to fight disease. To that end, in light of such positive research by leading institutions, it makes sense to make human touch/massage therapy part of our regular wellness schedule.
“Research on massage by psychologists at the Touch Research Institute, & from other fields such as nursing, shows that it lessens stress, depression & anxiety. The benefits of massage come from stimulating pressure receptors in the brain. – Most people don’t know that. They might do light stroking, but that doesn’t help & really is aversive to most people “
Dr. Tiffany Field, a well known psychology and psychiatry professor at University of Miami’s School of Medicine and the director of the Touch Research Institute had stated that the institutes’ research shows that massage raises the level of our natural killer cells (types of immune cells that are known to protect against disease; kill virally infected cells; and control and detect early signs of cancer). And these aspects can be linked to negative emotion. This is because massage decreases levels of the stress hormone, cortisol (which plays a major role in the body’s stress response) and also boosts natural killer cells. And not only that, cortisol modifies a broad array of crucial processes throughout the body, including our immune response and metabolism.
Dr. Tiffany Field, a well known psychology and psychiatry professor at University of Miami’s School of Medicine and the director of the Touch Research Institute had stated that the institutes’ research shows that massage raises the level of our natural killer cells (types of immune cells that are known to protect against disease; kill virally infected cells; and control and detect early signs of cancer).
And these aspects can be linked to negative emotion. This is because massage decreases levels of the stress hormone, cortisol (which plays a major role in the body’s stress response) and also boosts natural killer cells. And not only that, cortisol modifies a broad array of crucial processes throughout the body, including our immune response and metabolism.
Field notes that when someone such as a therapist applies more pressure, moderate pressure, as in giving a client a back rub, the impact is stronger than just applying light pressure, such as stroking someone. Also, whenever people are touched with moderate pressure, their heart rate goes down, whereas it’s the opposite when light pressure is applied – that is to say that the person’s heart rate rises. And the same affects apply to a client’s blood pressure: whenever they are given a massage with moderate pressure, their blood pressure decreases, whereas if they are massaged only using light pressure, then their blood pressure goes up. The science behind these findings analyses brain waves: the theta waves (which are linked to relaxation) increase when the therapist applies moderate pressure; whereas beta waves (which are linked to being aroused) increase when the therapist uses light pressure. And so this informs us that not only is massage highly beneficial, it is also extremely important to only book treatment with a qualified professional massage therapist who is fully aware of such research.
Field notes that when someone such as a therapist applies more pressure, moderate pressure, as in giving a client a back rub, the impact is stronger than just applying light pressure, such as stroking someone. Also, whenever people are touched with moderate pressure, their heart rate goes down, whereas it’s the opposite when light pressure is applied – that is to say that the person’s heart rate rises. And the same affects apply to a client’s blood pressure: whenever they are given a massage with moderate pressure, their blood pressure decreases, whereas if they are massaged only using light pressure, then their blood pressure goes up.
The science behind these findings analyses brain waves: the theta waves (which are linked to relaxation) increase when the therapist applies moderate pressure; whereas beta waves (which are linked to being aroused) increase when the therapist uses light pressure. And so this informs us that not only is massage highly beneficial, it is also extremely important to only book treatment with a qualified professional massage therapist who is fully aware of such research.
Touch Has a Positive Knock-On Effect to Our Nervous System
Human touch via massage therapy has a highly beneficial impact on our nervous system. This is because massage stimulates pressure receptors, which boosts activity in one of our 12 cranial nerves, the vagus nerve. The role of the vagus nerve is to decrease our ‘fight or flight mode’ (sympathetic stress response). Substantial research suggests that when the vagus nerve is stimulated over an extended period of time (such as via massage), then anxiety is reduced. Field also notes that her teams’ research on the same has shown a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol. She has also reported a boost in the body’s natural anti-pain and antidepressant hormone, serotonin. This is excellent for helping us balance our moods, control our sleep, regulate our feelings of happiness and well-being and modulate our anxiety.
Human touch via massage therapy has a highly beneficial impact on our nervous system. This is because massage stimulates pressure receptors, which boosts activity in one of our 12 cranial nerves, the vagus nerve. The role of the vagus nerve is to decrease our ‘fight or flight mode’ (sympathetic stress response). Substantial research suggests that when the vagus nerve is stimulated over an extended period of time (such as via massage), then anxiety is reduced.
Field also notes that her teams’ research on the same has shown a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol. She has also reported a boost in the body’s natural anti-pain and antidepressant hormone, serotonin. This is excellent for helping us balance our moods, control our sleep, regulate our feelings of happiness and well-being and modulate our anxiety.
What could be better?
Take Care of Yourself!
Sources
[1. Nichols, H. (2017). “How modern life affects our physical and mental health.”
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318230
[2]. Keltner, D. (2010). “Hands On Research: The Science of Touch.”
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/hands_on_research
[3]. Mayo Clinic (2021). “Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743
[4]. Jones, J. (2018). “Why Physical Touch Matters for Your Well-Being.”
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_physical_touch_matters_for_your_well_being
[5]. APA (2002). “Get the Massage!”
https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug02/massage
[6]. McIntyre. C.K. (2018). “Is there a role for vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder?.” Future Medicine.
https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/10.2217/bem-2018-0002