Massage Away All of Your Anxiety!
Anxiety varies in intensity and duration for different people and can be debilitating for anyone. While chronic, intense, or prolonged periods of anxiety should always be referred to a health care professional, those of us who suffer from occasional bouts of worry and stress can find relief in massage. Massage chairs, for example, can provide affordable and effective treatment in reducing stress, pain, and anxiety.
Today’s Modern Chair Designs
Today’s massage chairs provide full-body massage capabilities. Advanced roller mechanisms provide a vast array of massage styles including Shiatsu, Swedish, and Therapeutic Deep Tissue work on the back, shoulders, and neck. Modern “L-track” systems such as those found on the Panasonic MA73 can reach thighs, calves, and feet. Airbag systems provide compression and reflexology massages to your arms and hands and your lower back, buttocks, and hips as well as calves and feet. You can also find massage chairs with stretching or traction capabilities. Some massage chair recliners also include heat therapy which has been shown to increase blood circulation and to reduce swelling as it melts your tension away.
Research-Backed Results
Need proof? More than a dozen massage studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine conclude that by affecting the body’s biochemistry massage therapy relieves depression and anxiety. In studies of about 500 men, women, and children with depression or stress problems, researchers measured the stress hormone cortisol in participants before and immediately after massage and found that the therapy lowered levels by up to 53%. Massage therapy also increased serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that help reduce depression.
What You Can Bring to the Massage Chair
While sitting in a massage chair offers the luxury of effortless comfort and relief from stress and pain, you yourself can enhance your massage experience and its benefits in treating anxiety.
Many types of self-care and health and wellness practices combine perfectly with a massage chair treatment. If you do yoga or meditation, bring your practice to the massage chair experience.
- Do a body scan. Check-in with yourself. Where are you carrying tension and stress? Where do you experience tight muscles or soreness? Let your attention gather in those places during the massage and let the chair help soothe you.
- If you meditate, you are likely aware of “following the breath” as a strategy for deepening your experience. That works well in a massage chair, too, especially if anxiety is an issue. Breathe into those areas that drew you to the chair in the first place. Let your breath heal you.
- Most importantly, be fully present for your massage chair experience. Don’t waste that precious time planning your evening or reviewing a prior meeting. Let everything fall away except the touch of the chair on your body.
Your ABCs: Always Be Careful
If you suffer from chronic anxiety, always check with your health care provider about possible treatment options. Your health and safety are paramount. And remember: A massage chair can be a very practical investment providing years of convenient massage therapy in the comfort of home.
At World’s Best Massage Chair, we’re always happy to discuss your needs and options with you. Chat with one of our massage chair experts today.
“Massage Chair Therapy & Anxiety Relief: Body Massage Tips.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 Apr. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPDmWIT-lik.
Henderson, Eric. “Massage Chair Tips to Reduce Anxiety.” Elite Massage Chairs, 4 Apr. 2016, www.elitemassagechairs.com/massage-chair-tips-to-reduce-anxiety/.
Brault, Stephanie. “Massage Chair Store Blog | Reviews, Discussion and Educational Articles.” Massage Away Depression & Anxiety, 25 Mar. 2015, blog.massagechairstore.com/blog/massage-away-depression-anxiety.
