Ask the experts Massage therapist Lucy Day answers your questions on massage for stress Read more about Lucy Day on therapy-directory.org.uk
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How does stress manifest physically? Life can be busy, so it’s natural to feel stressed at times. However, long-term stress can trigger mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and concentration impairment. Stress is also detrimental to physical health. The immune system responds to stress by releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can cause physical issues including increased blood pressure, an elevated heart rate, muscular tension, headaches, migraines, reduced mobility, and bowel irritation. Stress can manifest itself in behavioural changes, too, making us feel overwhelmed and irritable, which can cause us to find it difficult to focus or make affirmative decisions. The good news is that massage therapy can help.
Are there self-massage techniques I can use to ease stress?
Self-care, including selfmassage, can be highly effective in fighting the stresses that naturally build up in our daily lives. For example, a technique I recommend for combating upper body muscular tension includes gently stroking the neck and shoulders, working from both
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How can massage support us when we’re feeling stressed?
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One of the best ways to combat and reduce stress is by engaging in activities that make us feel more relaxed. Massage therapy is a proven method to help reduce stress and its negative impact on the mind
shoulders up towards the base of the skull. Add some shoulder shrugs and rotations to help break up the tension that often builds due to postural strain. In addition, if you feel a tension headache beginning to form, you can apply gentle circular massage movements to the forehead, temples, cheekbones, and jawline to ease muscular tightness. Self-therapeutic hair pulling can also help ease tension in the scalp, which can become tight with stress.
and the body. Clients often feel benefits such as deep relaxation, rejuvenation, as well as an enhanced focus. Massage therapy helps to rebalance the mind and body, leading to improved wellbeing, sleep and calmness, along with reduced blood pressure and muscular tension. To maintain these positive effects, a longterm massage plan with a qualified massage therapist can benefit clients with chronic stress.
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