Spa Executive - December 2021

Stress, meanwhile, is also linked to mental health
disorders, as well as to negative physiological
health outcomes, including heart disease, diabetes,
and infectious diseases. Research conducted
at Carnegie Mellon University found that chronic
psychological stress is connected to loss of ability
to regulate the inflammatory response, which may
promote the development and progression of
disease.
It stands to reason that if one can find relief from
any one condition, there’s a good chance this will
positively impact related conditions.
We know that spa treatments, including massage,
thermal bathing, and sauna can have significant
positive impacts on stress and pain. Let’s take a
look at the research related to their direct impact
on mental health and wellbeing.
Massage
Massage dates back to at least 3000 BCE in India,
where it is said to have been used as an Ayurvedic
treatment and believed to restore the body’s
natural and physical balance, allowing for natural
healing. And the American Massage Therapy
Association (AMTA) states that massage therapy
as an occupation dates back to the 1700s, where
forerunners of today’s massage therapists were
called “rubbers”.
“Rubbers were experts in treating orthopedic
problems with manual rubbing and friction.”
Also according to the AMTA, massage therapy
has multiple mental health benefits. Research has
found that massage therapy can reduce anxiety
associated with a number of conditions, including
cancer, chronic pain and psychiatric disorders.
Massage therapy is also correlated with reduced
anxiety before and after surgery.
More findings include:
• Massage therapy can reduce symptoms of
depression for individuals with HIV.
• Back massage given during chemotherapy was
associated with significantly reduced anxiety
and acute fatigue.
• Military veterans reported significant
reductions in anxiety, worry, depression and
physical pain after massage, as well as lower
levels of tension and irritability.
• Massage for nurses during work hours is
associated with reduced stress and related
symptoms, including headaches, shoulder
tension, insomnia, fatigue and muscle and
joint pain.
A review of studies also found that massage was
associated with significant decreases in levels of
the stress hormone cortisol, averaging 31%, and
with increases of the neurotransmitters serotonin
(28%) and dopamine (31%), both of which
contribute to feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
The authors wrote, “These studies combined
suggest the stress-alleviating effects (decreased
cortisol) and the activating effects (increased
serotonin and dopamine) of massage therapy
on a variety of medical conditions and stressful
experiences.”
Finally, study subjects who underwent Swedish
massage twice a week experienced decreases
in cortisol levels and increases in oxytocin
levels. Researchers also found slight evidence of
increased white blood cell counts.
December 2021 Issue • p. 15