How Massage Therapy is Beneficial for Addiction Recovery

An effective method for detox that not many people are aware of is massage therapy that treats individuals in recovery. The rehabilitation period following detox can be challenging as patients learn to manage their behaviors and emotions while still experiencing physical symptoms from time to time.

Many people experience physical symptoms such as sore muscles and tension for months after their detox, but don’t always know why they feel the way they do. Some people may not be able to verbalize or articulate their thoughts and feelings, and this is when therapeutic massage for addiction recovery can be most beneficial.

Many treatments focus on the mind, for instance, behavior therapy and group counseling. While these are helpful if the patient is willing and able to express themselves, therapeutic massage can be a guide to work out inner tensions without any words.

Seek the Benefits

The healing process during addiction recovery can go very smoothly with the help of an experienced and compassionate massage therapist. Massage therapy tends to be overlooked even though it can be a huge factor in a successful recovery.

A few benefits and side effects of therapeutic massage include:

• Release of ‘feel-good’ hormones. Based on information from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage therapy has been known to help increase serotonin and dopamine (feel-good hormones) and decrease cortisol which is related to stress.
• Focus on the body’s pressure points which are linked to the brain’s vagus nerve. This can also help to lower heart rate and blood pressure.
• Reduce agitation and anxiety and makes sleep easier.
• Provides a natural, alternative method of healing, with no drugs involved.
• Helps with the removal of metabolic waste. Therapeutic massage triggers or stimulates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, can increase circulation and promote the effectiveness of the lymph system. The lymph system helps to alleviate pain symptoms and is responsible for removing the body’s metabolic waste build-up.
• Provides the client with a connection to their body and improves their body awareness.
• Helps to build trust.

Touch is Important

Many patients come from a place where touching was associated with negative feelings and may initially be uncomfortable with someone touching them. Massage is a great method to rewire the brain and associate touch in a more positive light. With continued massage therapy, patients can learn to trust again, and experience the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of therapeutic touch.

If you or anyone you know is dealing with recovery from substance abuse, learn more about massage therapy and how it could benefit you and your road to sobriety. Additionally, if you are seeking treatment for substance abuse or know someone in need, contact us today.