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Massage Therapy for Addiction and Mental Health

Massage Therapy for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

Massage therapy is growing in popularity as an adjunct approach for treating addiction and mental health disorders. Summit Malibu uses massage therapy for addiction and mental health conditions as a holistic treatment method to heal the mind, body, and soul during recovery.

what is massage therapy

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy incorporates a variety of healing techniques used by a trained therapist to manipulate the body’s soft tissues.

It enhances overall health and wellbeing by promoting relaxation, reducing muscle tension, improving circulation, and relieving pain.

Massage therapists are trained professionals certified by accredited programs who focus on the body’s anatomy and physiology.

Sessions can last from 15 minutes to two hours depending on the type of massage and desired goals.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Addiction, Detox, and Withdrawal

Massage therapy offers many beneficial healing properties for drug and alcohol addiction treatment, including detox and withdrawal.

  1. Reduces Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Massage therapy helps regulate hormones that contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine to improve mood naturally.

  1. Decreases Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms

Intense cravings for drugs and alcohol are one of the biggest challenges in the early stages of recovery, especially during the drug and alcohol detox phase.

Massage lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol to help manage cravings and relapse triggers.

In addition, massage also alleviates muscle tension, headaches, nausea, and other withdrawal symptoms in early recovery.

  1. Improves Sleep

Relaxation induced by massage therapy lowers heart rate and releases feel good brain chemicals like serotonin to promote restful sleep and reduce insomnia.

Improving sleep enhances cognitive function, regulates mood, and rejuvenates the body and mind.

  1. Increases Circulation and Detoxification

Massage moves blood through the body’s tissues and improves overall circulation. Increasing blood flow and oxygen to the muscles and organs supports the body’s natural detoxification processes and helps to reduce swelling, stiffness, nerve pain, and muscle spasms.

It also supports the lymph system and liver to efficiently eliminate toxins and complement the body’s natural detoxification processes.

Massage Therapy for Mental Health Conditions like Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD

Massage therapy is helpful for treating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD for many of the same reasons it is effective for addiction recovery.

Research suggests massage therapy is effective as a complementary and alternative medicine for many psychiatric disorders.

  1. Reduces Stress Hormones

Massage therapy lowers the levels of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline that are associated with stress and anxiety. This helps calm the mind and central nervous system activity. Over time, regular massage helps reset dysfunctional stress hormone patterns.

  1. Releases Feel Good Hormones

Massage stimulates the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate mood and promote feelings of happiness and relaxation.

  1. Eases Muscle Tension

Chronic stress is often felt physically in the body as muscle tension, headaches, and neck or back pain. Massage therapy relieves tightened muscles associated with anxiety and emotional stress. This mind-body relaxation technique can provide immediate comfort.

  1. Promotes Mindfulness

The healing power of touch combined with focused breathing promotes mindfulness and a sense of being in the present moment.

This focuses the mind in a calm place away from ruminating on the past and worrying about the future that feed anxiety and depression.

  1. Supports Trauma Recovery

For those recovering from trauma, massage eases feelings of isolation and disconnection. Gentle massage with verbal engagement can help some trauma survivors regain trust in themselves and others.

Massage Therapy to Heal the Mind, Body, and Soul

Summit Malibu uses massage therapy to heal the mind, body, and soul for our clients in recovery.

Healing the Mind

Massage is an excellent therapy to mentally soothe and rejuvenate the mind to quiet racing thoughts.

It boosts neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine to improve mood, ease depression, and activate a calmer mindset.

Healing the Body

The physical effects of massage are some of the most obvious. It is effective for improving circulation, easing tense muscles, increasing joint flexibility, helping to eliminate toxins from the body, and promoting overall relaxation.

Regular massage can also reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and decrease pain, which are all necessary for healing the body.

Healing the Soul

On an emotional level, human touch plays a crucial role in soothing the central nervous system.

This interpersonal relationship between the massage therapist and client builds trust and a connection that are vital nutrients for healing the soul.

Overall, massage therapy is more than just a physical relaxation technique. It is a holistic approach that elevates the mind-body healing process that is necessary for a successful recovery for addiction and many mental health conditions.

Summit Malibu Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
massage therapy

To learn more about Massage Therapy for Addiction Recovery at Summit Malibu, contact us at: (310) 742-1882

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