Stress and anxiety can build up gradually in the body due to accumulation of daily stress, or can be caused by a particular event. However it is well documented that stress causes both mental and physical ailments with symptoms including; panic attacks, anger, depression, IBS, tiredness, lack of concentration, headaches, chest tightness/pain, muscle spasms, dizziness, fainting, and many more.
Many people feel medication is the only way to deal with their stress and anxiety, and whilst it is always advisable to visit your GP for an assessment of your symptoms, there may be alternative ways of dealing with your stress and anxiety.
Massage has really grown in popularity as a means of gaining relief from symptoms, as well as, helping to manage symptoms related to stress and anxiety. Several studies can be found on the web, which now prove massage does indeed alleviate stress and anxiety. It releases both serotonin and endorphins into the body: the serotonin acts as a calming mediator for the body while the endorphins act as a happy stimulator for the brain. Having a massage has also been proven to lower the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine which can cause your body to tire and your mind to worry. Massage can calm these stress hormones down and let your body and mind relax, helping to improve your mood and sense of well-being.
When you book in for massage your therapist will take a detailed medical and lifestyle history, as well as discuss where in your body you feel the tension and stress. For some people, tension is stored in their lower backs and this is where they feel pain and stiffness. For other people the stress is felt in their upper back (between the shoulder blades), across the top of the shoulders and into the neck.
Your massage therapist will concentrate on the muscles that need softening, lengthening and relaxing, in order to reduce your stress and tension, calm your body and leave you feeling incredibly relaxed.
People who have regular treatments report being much more able to cope with daily stress, sleep better and generally have an improve sense of well-being.
Next time you feel tense, stressed or anxious, book in for a massage and feel the difference it can make!
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