Many people in Ireland have experience of mental health difficulties, either personally or through the experience of a family member or a friend. According to the Health Service Executive 1 in 4 people in Ireland will experience mental health issues at some point in their lifetime.
Massage therapy is becoming more and more recognised as an effective way to assist in the management of a variety of mental health problems.
Since becoming a massage therapist, there have been many people I have seen as clients who have faced mental health difficulties at some point. Some examples include: depression, post-traumatic stress, postnatal depression, anxiety, acute fatigue and closely related conditions such as headaches, fibromyalgia, eating disorders and many others.
In recent years, the public have become more aware of mental health and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain overall wellbeing. Looking for help, people are turning to traditional medical treatment, as well as alternative therapies such as massage and yoga, to achieve a positive balance between mind and body.
How does massage help?
Stress: what is it?
Not everyone realises that stress is a trauma for the body as well as the mind. Physical pain such as muscle cramps, headaches, joint pain and several types of inflammation can be made worse or even caused by stress, anxiety and fatigue.
There are several hormones in the body controlling our mood such as dopamine known as “the happy hormone”, serotonin “the calming hormone”, endorphins “the body’s natural pain relievers”, cortisol – “stress hormone” and adrenaline the “fight and flight hormone”.
If we take the example of dopamine and cortisol: dopamine influences mood and the ability to focus, by performing specific massage strokes in order to promote blood flow towards the heart, overall dopamine levels are increased due to an improvement in circulation and lymphatic flow.
Cortisol is elevated during times of stress, which leads to symptoms such as sleep deprivation, anxiety, aggression and others. Having a massage helps to reduce levels of this hormone, leading to greater feelings of relaxation, improved sleep and ability to think more clearly.
Massage therapy can helps to promote relaxation and stress relief by stimulating nervous system and balancing supressed hormones: serotonin, dopamine and endorphins.
Client requirements
When a client is looking to benefit from massage therapy, it is important to assess and establish their expectations with regard to the outcome of treatment. As part of this process, a client consultation form is filled out. For example, the client may suffer with claustrophobia or photosensitivity, taking this into account allows the client to be more relaxed and to benefit more greatly from the overall therapeutic experience.
A study published in 2010 in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement therapies showed that adults in receipt of regular massage therapy had scores which were measurably higher in the area of emotional wellbeing. Human touch can produce an overall improvement with regard to mental and emotional health, as demonstrated by this research.
The subject of mental health is relevant worldwide. I think it’s very important for people to be aware of their mental health as they would in any other aspect of their life. Talking about mental health and psychological issues takes strength, and is not something to remain silent about. Alternative therapies serve as a helpful tool to be incorporated into your overall treatment plan. Getting appropriate massage therapy, customised to your needs, assists the individual in living a happy and contented life.