Massage therapy is an often-overlooked healing art form that can provide not only physical benefits but also mental benefits, such as relief of stress and tension. A study published by Reuters in March 2010, conducted by Dr. Wen-Hsuan Hou of I-Shou University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, reported that massage therapy also can be a good way to alleviate some of the symptoms of depression.
Improved Sense of Well-Being
Massage therapy can provide an increased sense of well-being and a feeling of being more relaxed and free of tension. In the article "Depression and Massage," the Mayo Clinic reported that many people report feeling a lessening of the symptoms of depression after a massage. This may be because of the temporary alleviation of stress and anxiety, or it could be because of the release of the "trust hormone" oxytocin, as reported in the Taiwan study. Dr. Ray Sahelian reports that bloodstream levels of oxytocin have been shown to rise during massage. Oxytocin is a hormone that helps induce relaxation, reduces blood pressure and decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Make Time for Yourself
People who struggle with depression often deal with feelings of unworthiness and low self-esteem. Getting a massage is a way to treat yourself to something special. In a sense, you are giving yourself a break from the negative mental chatter and allowing time specifically for relaxation. Enjoying having time to yourself with a trusted massage therapist, discussed in the Taiwan report as the alliance between therapist and client, can help lessen the feelings of isolation that often are associated with depression.
Decrease in Pain
Some people have depression associated with physical pain. If you have had a traumatic injury that limits your movement, or you have a physical condition that causes pain, you might feel depressed by the limitations your body places on you. Massage therapy can provide a way of decreasing pain, such as spasms, low-back pain and migraine pain, as reported by the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. If pain is at the root of your depression, being pain-free, at least temporarily, can help boost your mood and decrease the depressive feelings.
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