Massage Therapy Beneficial for Depression

Massage Therapy Beneficial for Depression

Seasonal depression has been considered a disorder affecting millions of people every year. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, almost 20% of people have been affected by SAD at some point in their lives—also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

With less sunlight and more time spent indoors, feelings of melancholy can be triggered which can affect the quality of life for many. Luckily there is one solution that has proved affective. Studies show that massage therapy offers patients relief from the winter blues by helping to reset circadian rhythms. This leads to increased energy and better quality sleep.

The American Massage Therapy Association encourages a natural, holistic remedy to help alleviate the symptoms of the disorder. According to AMTA, massage can reduce anxiety and depression; decrease heart rate and systolic blood pressure; and improve mental health. This is good news for anyone who has suffered from SAD or knows someone who has. If you’ve thought about a career helping others, massage therapy could be the right move for you. The Soma Institute in Chicago, Illinois offers an 11 and 15-month Clinical Massage Therapy Program. If you’d like more information, give us a call at 1.800.694.5314.