Anxiety disorders are fairly common in the UK. According to Mental Health UK at any one time 1 in 10 of us are living with some form of anxiety disorder.  While some people may experience mild symptoms, others experience anxiety symptoms that prevent them from living a normal life.  There are a wide range of mental and physical symptoms that may be experienced, anxiety is different for everyone. Whatever symptoms you may be experiencing, having massage for anxiety is usually helpful in a number of ways.

Massage for anxiety – how it helps

Massage is known to be soothing and relaxing, but how exactly does it help with anxiety?

The “relaxation response”

When we are stressed or anxious, our sympathetic nervous system is activated.  This produces various changes that prepare us to face danger – the so-called “fight or flight” response. The touch, warmth and pressure of massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which has the reverse effect and takes the body out of stress mode.

Easing of tension and pain

Anxiety and tension can be a vicious circle.  When we’re anxious, we tense our muscles – especially in the upper back and shoulders.  This causes discomfort and pain, which makes us even more anxious. Manipulation of the muscles in a massage therapy session reduces tension and allows the muscles to relax.

Release of hormones and neurotransmitters that make us feel good

As well as stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, massage also stimulates release of a range of “feel good” chemicals:

Endorphins:  hormones released to reduce stress and pain.  They give feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

Serotonin: also gives feelings of happiness and wellbeing.  In addition, it plays a role in healthy sleep patterns and decreases levels of cortisol. (Cortisol is a hormone that is part of the “fight or flight” response.)

Dopamine: a neurotransmitter that acts on the pleasure and reward centre of the brain

Oxytocin: a hormone and neurotransmitter that relieves stress, anxiety and depression

So massage can help in a number of ways.  However, it’s important that the massage is at the right pressure.  A massage that is too deep may be uncomfortable and cause an anxious person to feel even more anxious.  On the other hand, a massage that is too gentle won’t be as effective in stimulating the chemical responses or releasing muscle tension.

Other ways of managing anxiety

Since anxiety is actually a natural response, we need to understand and manage it rather than try to eliminate it.  There are many strategies and treatments for doing this and what is most effective depends on the individual.

As with most health issues, good lifestyle habits help.  This includes:

• A healthy diet
• Enough exercise
• Time spent outdoors
• Adequate sleep (although it may be difficult for people suffering from anxiety to sleep)

If an anxiety condition is diagnosed, various treatments are available.  There are medications for anxiety, but these lessen the symptoms rather than solving the problem.  Counselling therapies that facilitate understanding and management of anxiety are a more effective long term solution.  Other practices such as relaxation techniques and mindfulness are also helpful.

What is the best type of massage for anxiety?

Hot stones massage and aromatherapy massage are both soothing, relaxing treatments that will help to improve anxiety symptoms. You can combine the two, or have a deep tissue massage with aromatherapy.

Hot stones massage is carried out with basalt stones, heated in hot water. The therapist holds the stones in the palms of her hands and glides them over the client’s skin. The warmth of the stones increases has a relaxing effect on the muscles and also has a soothing, comforting effect which promotes mental relaxation.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils  from plants to benefit health and well being.  Essential oils have various health benefits, depending on which plant they come from.  Unlike many alternative therapies, aromatherapy has a basis in science. It’s well established that the chemical components of the oils have beneficial properties.  In fact, some oils are used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

Face massage is also a highly relaxing treatment. This is available as a stand-alone treatment or added on to another treatment.

Make a booking

To book a massage for tense shoulders, fill out the booking enquiry form below. You can see my working hours and upcoming availability here. If you want to know availability further ahead than what is shown, let me know on the form when you would be interested in booking for and I’ll get back to you.

Body Benefits location
1 Albra Mead
Chelmer Village
Springfield
Chelmsford
CM2 6YG

Distance/time from nearby places
Central Chelmsford: 3.6 miles / 9 minutes see map
Beaulieu Park: 1.6 miles/5 minutes see map
Witham: 7.6 miles / 12 minutes see map
Danbury 6.3 miles / 11 minutes see map
Galleywood 4.5 miles / 10 minutes see map