While massage therapy feels physically good, the effects on the psyche are even more beneficial. The mind and body are inextricably interconnected, meaning that what impacts people physically can also impact them psychologically. A good massage session can even help address some physical ailments because of its effects on emotional well-being.
Psychological Effects on Perception of Recovery
Massage therapy imparts its biggest effects psychologically, according to Vanderbilt University's Kristen Heggie. One experiment was conducted on two groups of amateur boxers. Before both groups completed simulated boxing matches, their physiological measurements were taken and recorded. These included blood lactate, blood glucose levels and heart rates. After the first round, the boxers were split into two groups. One group underwent only a rest intervention consisting of lying down on rest mats. The other group received massages in between each round of boxing matches. The participants in the second group received massages from professionally trained sports massage therapists.
After the second boxing round concluded, the medical tests were conducted again. While the massage group did not perform any better than the rest group, they reported feeling a "significantly" higher perception of recovery than the rest group did, according to Heggie. Neither group had any difference in their medical tests after the second round of boxing ended.
Psychological Effects on Physical Exertion
Athletes who receive massage therapy believe they have performed better on physical exertion tests than those who didn't undergo the therapy, according to Heggie. In tests conducted on eight amateur boxers, they felt they had performed at a higher level even though their level of performance was the same as before the massage. Mentally, this gives athletes a big psychological boost--just the belief they improved their performance encourages them to keep working and getting better.
Effect on Mind Body Connection
Many illnesses and conditions, such as headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, arthritis, digestive upsets, minor aches and sinusitis can be stress-induced. These conditions can also respond to massage therapy, according to the Health Mad website. Since massage is so tactile--touch-oriented--clients begin to focus their attention on the here and now instead of on their problems and how they feel. A soothing massage session can help a massage client because it works to counterbalance the negative effects of stress.
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