Mental tensions, frustrations, and insecurity are among the most damaging. Affected by stress, the heart works harder, breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and digestion slows. Nearly every body process is degraded. Psychosomatic studies show how stress factors can cause migraines, hypertension, depression, some peptic ulcers, etc. Soothing and relaxing massage therapy can help by counteracting stress effects.
Massage has a definite psychological effect.
Since massage animates the tactile sense, the body's primary sense, it brings people into the here and now and away from tension generated by constant preoccupation with problems. Users of massage therapy as a healing tool quickly realize that they have found a form of drugless therapy. Headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders including constipation and spastic colon, arthritis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, and minor aches and pains are some of the problems that can respond to massage therapy. Massage can have an excellent effect on nervous people who have been dependent on their pharmacy for rest and relaxation. Simply stated, the foundation stone of the therapeutic effect of massage is what Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, defined as vis medicatrix naturae , or the body's natural recuperative powers, the life force.