Stress and massage: two physiological changes during a session

Cold weather is especially unkind to muscles and joints, and clients with fibromyalgia see me more frequently this time of year. I see a client with fibromyalgia every week (at least).

Yesterday I described the body's tendency to relax during a massage. Summary: the body receives chemical signals from the brain called neurotransmitters, and acetylcholine (ACh) is the main signal that our brains use to tell our body it's okay to relax. 

1. Massage increases levels of dopamine and serotonin.

• The brain releases a neurotransmitters called dopamine and serotonin during a massage. They're chemicals that our peripheral nervous system (PNS) use to tell our bodies that a massage "feels good."
• This is especially important in clients with fibromyalgia: their bodies tend to have lower levels of these neurotransmitters. Massage boosts these levels and can be thought of as a drug-free complement to a client's plan to keep fibromyalgia in check.

2. Massage decreases levels of cortisol, the body's "stress" hormone.

• In a 2010 study, researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center measured lower levels of cortisol in healthy patients after one massage session. There's definitely a need for more research, but the medical community is starting to show a link between massage, decreased cortisol, and increased immunity.

If you would like to create your own "study" on how massage helps you relax, please call or schedule an appointment. I have a number of clients who receive massage on a regular basis as part of their wellness regimen, including clients who bring me doctor's notes that help me create a customized therapeutic massage (I love these notes!). I hope to see you soon!

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com

Studies I referenced in this post:

1. (2005) Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA. (LINK)
2. (2010) A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Single Session of Swedish Massage on Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal and Immune Function in Normal Individuals Mark Hyman Rapaport, Pamela Schettler, and Catherine Bresee. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. (LINK)

Cynthia Given, LMT

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com