Massage Therapy Can Help Reduce Anxiety

Those who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) tend to dwell heavily on health issues, money, family problems or workplace difficulties. They tend to spend excessive amounts of time and energy obsessing over transgressions from the past or things to come in the future.

In an article entitled Therapeutic Massage for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, author Alex A. Kecskes suggests that concerns caused by GAD can result in muscle tension/aches, fatigue, headaches, difficulty swallowing, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, frequent urination, hot flashes and shortness of breath.

“Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects about 6.8 million American adults. It affects twice as many women as men and its onset occurs gradually, beginning typically between childhood and middle age. A Surgeon General's report on Mental Health revealed that 16% of adults between the ages of 18 and 54 suffer from various anxiety disorders for at least one year,” Kecskes writes.

Kecskes argues that one quite effective way in reducing the symptoms of GAD is through massage therapy.

“Various forms of therapeutic superficial tissue manipulation have been practiced for thousands of years to treat anxieties of various sorts. Therapeutic massage can be helpful in reducing anxiety and stress. Massage was shown to promote relaxation and alleviate pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients,” Kecskes writes.

If suffering from GAD, it is recommended that you first consult a primary care physician before attempting massage therapy.

“In addition to massage therapy, the doctor may suggest certain anti-anxiety medications, psychotherapy or counseling, or even herbal remedies. If massage is suggested, find a licensed massage therapist who is nationally certified through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (www.ncbtmb.org) or the American Massage Therapy Association (www.amtamassage.org),” Kecskes suggests.

(Source: pacificcollege.edu)