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Important Notice
We LOVE that Wake Foot Sanctuary has become a fun and relaxing respite over the years for so many guests. It is energizing and extremely rewarding to serve people who are coming to enjoy our environment, get pampered, and reap the benefits of caring massage. Over the years, we have researched and seen more and more articles and studies that speak to the true healing benefits of massage. Benefits not just for physical relaxation and relief from soreness and injury, but more and more evidence for the benefits of the mind.
Massage has been shown in many studies to release endorphins, which are natural pain relievers, which also assist in calming the nervous system and reduce anxiety. According to Mayo Clinic, massage has been used for thousands of years to heal, soothe, and relieve physical and emotional pain. According to their research, massage assists with mental health conditions, including depression and seasonal affective disorder, improving mood and boosting overall serotonin. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), analyzed a randomized controlled trial and evaluated the adults using a Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). The 38 elderly adults were divided into control or experimental groups. Participants in the experimental group received aromatherapy massage using lavender, chamomile and rosemary. Massage sessions were performed for 20 minutes three times per week for two, three-week periods with an intervening one-week break. The control group received routine nursing home care. HADS scores were assessed prior to the experiment, during, and after for gauging results.
Ultimately, the study demonstrated that both depression and anxiety were significantly reduced among participants in the experimental group. According to AMTA, “Aromatherapy massage with lavender, chamomile and rosemary oils is effective in significantly reducing anxiety and depression of elderly adults living in nursing homes,” researchers concluded.
The National Institute of Mental Health has also reported veterans use of massage for assistance with PTSD symptoms has increased 70%+ in recent years. According to their data, six out of every 100 people will suffer from PTSD in their lives. In 2020, an estimated 13 million Americans had PTSD. A study completed in 2023, demonstrated that nearly 6% of all VA patients were utilizing integrative approaches by 2019.
According to AMTA, a pilot study evaluated the effects of light touch manual therapies (LTMT) on headache, anxiety and other symptoms experienced by active duty United States service members with chronic PTSD. Service members who were diagnosed with PTSD and suffered a self-reported head injury were provided two hour-long sessions of mixed LTMT given one week apart. Data on the effects was gathered before and after each session. The results showed that headache, anxiety and pain were significantly reduced during the course of the study, suggesting that LTMT is helpful in reducing symptoms of PTSD and head injury.
Referenced here are just a few of the reports and studies that are continuing to prove massage value to people as part of an integrative approach to various mental health conditions. Based on our own experiences as a group and with feedback from our guests, we believe that further research and study will continue to prove out massage benefits across a host of physical and mental health needs. This further energizes us and motivates us in what we do at Wake Foot Sanctuary.
