Cope Symptoms Of Anxiety through Massage Therapy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anxiety disorders can lead to a downward spiral for the person experiencing it. It is even made worse because of accompanying muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and pain. Massage therapy has been found to enhance one’s sleep quality, reduce tension in the muscles, and relieve pain. Thus, it helps to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety. Similar to depression, anxiety is a debilitating condition and is understood only by a few people. A little bit of anxiety is normal and can be healthy. However, those diagnosed with anxiety disorders might have continuous anxious feelings that don’t go away. Plus, these feelings might worsen over time. Constant feelings of anxiety might interfere with daily activities such as work and school. It can also interfere with making and cultivating healthy relationships with other people.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, abbreviated as GAD affects approximately 18% of the adult population. It impacts more women compared to men. This condition is pervasive and has negative impact on a lot of factors including one’s mood. It can also affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. Plus, it leads to pervasive sleep problems, muscular, and bodily pain.

Symptoms

Sometimes, the symptoms associated with anxiety can actually be vague. More often than not, it is confused with another condition such as fibromyalgia and depression. Below are various signs that a person has anxiety:

• Constantly restless
• Feelings of fatigue for no obvious reason
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Unexplained muscle pain and tension
• Feelings of annoyance without obvious reason
• Sleep disturbances including difficulty in falling asleep; staying asleep can be difficult as well.

Anxiety Treatment

Usually, a comprehensive anxiety treatment includes medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and training for stress management. CBT usually involves psychotherapeutic methods that aims to help people with anxiety. It usually includes cognitive therapy that determines and challenges destructive thought patterns. In addition, exposure therapy involves confronting unnecessary fears and getting involved in activities that may cause anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants are prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety. This might include beta blockers as well. Both the advantages and disadvantages (side effects) of each specific medication should be discussed with a licensed physician or psychiatrist. Costs, lifestyle, alternative therapies and treatment schedules should be discussed as well.

Stress Management

This involves learning techniques for relaxation. Stress management might also include self-care activities which helps with anxiety and stress. It might involve meditation, deep breathing, tai chi, or yoga. Undergoing through massage therapy can also be considered as a part of a comprehensive self-care regimen.

Massage Therapy Helps Manage Anxiety

Massage therapy is a great way to manage anxiety and the symptoms associated with. This is due to the fact that studies have proven that massage helps to address two of the most important symptoms related to anxiety. This alternative therapy helps with insomnia and sleep disturbances. Plus, it helps relieve bodily pain and muscle tension.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2663″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]

Massage Therapy And Sleep

Sleep is a very vital function. When we sleep, the mind and body regenerates and repairs themselves. When we are deprived of sleep, it can wreak havoc to our body and mind damaging our emotional state and mental functions. As you might know, it can be difficult to do daily tasks without an adequate amount of sleep. Sleep disturbances lead to negative impacts on the nervous system and immune system. It leads to difficulties in concentrating and affects a person’s overall energy level. In addition, an inadequate amount of sleep leads to mood swings. The specific brain areas that manage decision-making, emotions, and social interactions need sleep to regenerate itself. When we do not have enough sleep and adequate amounts of “deep” sleep, we lose our capability to think properly. Plus, it tends to lead to depression and anxiety. Massage has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety and enhances sleep quality. Plus, it lowers the amount of stress hormones in the body. It has been proven to enhance sleep quality in cancer patients, people diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and children. Studies have shown that massage therapy significantly improves a person’s ability to sleep and enhances the quality of sleep for people suffering from various conditions such as anxiety. Since sleep is improved, other symptoms start to begin improving. For instance, concentration might improve because of adequate sleep. Feelings of fatigue are reduced. In addition, pain is relieved and the emotional state is enhanced. These are all critical factors for people who are suffering from anxiety.

Massage Therapy And Pain Relief

According to studies, massage therapy can help relieve pain and reduce muscle tension. Swedish massages involve long, gliding hand strokes and provide pain reduction, enhanced sleep quality, and stress relief. On the other hand, techniques involved in deep tissue massage such as ischemic compression helps release tension as well as trigger points. This, again, leads to reduced muscle tension and pain. Massage therapy can help to improve blood circulation. Plus, it flushes out lactic acid and brings a lot of fresh oxygen in a person’s blood. Deep tissue massage techniques might also involve friction that breaks adhesions up. It might also result to stretching and lengthening of muscle tissue and fibers thus widening one’s range of motion.

Studies Regarding Massage Therapy

In a research on massage therapy within an acute care setting, it has been found that the said therapy results in significant improvement in every assessed area including relaxation, emotional well-being, pain levels, and the ability to sleep. The study has found out that massage therapy has led to improved emotional states, enhanced healing and recovery, reduced pain levels, and improved sleep and relaxation. Massage has also been found to have significant advantages when it comes to recovering after exercises. Plus, it helps prevent soreness after heavy workouts. People who always experience emotional upset tends to have muscle tension and soreness due to the constant tension brought by their psychological states. Massage therapy has been found to help this type of muscle tension as well since it aids in muscular relaxation especially for people suffering from depression, stress, and anxiety.

Putting It All Together

Since massage helps reduce pain caused by muscle tension and improves both the quantity and quality of a person’s sleep, it has a significant effect on the signs and symptoms associated with anxiety. When a person sleeps better, his or her body repairs and regenerates itself. And when someone experiences reduced muscle tension pain, he or she undergoes through a positive sense of well-being. Thus, if you are in clear need of a massage and have sought the advice of a healthcare professional who suggested that you do so, you can find a nearby massage therapy clinic. Get the most out of your therapeutic session and practice healthy self-care regimens. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]