Holistic massage treatment is great at any time of year. It provides you with a wonderful way to relax while relieving stress and tension. However, there are additional benefits of massage treatment that mean it can be especially effective during the winter months for people with conditions that worsen during the cold seasons.
How holistic massage helps with Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is a recognised syndrome that affects many people from autumn right through winter. The bleak colder months, with less sunlight, more time spent indoors and a lack of Vitamin D can cause quite a serious form of depression in some. For others, the so-called ‘winter blues’ are common. Overall, such conditions can reduce their quality of life and aggravate symptoms of mental health problems.
Massage is a form of therapy that can help with S.A.D. and associated conditions. Massage therapy provides respite from the daily routine of leaving the house in the dark, going out into the cold weather, and then returning home in darkness. Relaxation, the opportunity to unwind and the holistic benefits of massage can help.
Massage has also been shown to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine; the two hormones associated with feelings of happiness and wellbeing. It also reduces the production of cortisol, the biochemical associated with stress. Scientific studies (1) have demonstrated that this positive effect is two-fold, both immediately after a massage treatment and with a cumulative effect over the course of multiple sessions.
Easing aches and pains and pain management
Cold weather in the winter months tends to exacerbate aches, pains and discomfort caused by arthritis. Health researchers have never entirely understood why this is, but there are several theories. It may be due to changes in atmospheric pressure, or that the tendons and muscles stiffen and contract in the cold, or it may be that joint fluid thickens when temperatures drop. Alternatively, it could simply be the case that we tend to stay in more and move around less during the colder seasons, which reduces circulation.
Research has demonstrated that massage therapy significantly assists with pain management, (2) even in acute settings, for people with challenging psychological and physiological conditions that result in pain. Massage increases blood flow and improves circulation while reducing muscle tension.
Alleviating asthma brought on by cold weather
Many people with asthma notice that their symptoms are worse in cold weather. Cold air is dry and can irritate the airways. When cool air reaches the lungs, they react by tightening.
As we spend more time indoors during the winter, we also breathe in more asthma triggers, such as pet hair, mould and dust mites. Massage therapy and its associated relaxation effects have shown positive results in promoting relaxation and relieving asthma symptoms in children (3) and adults (4).
Get in touch with our team to book a session or a treatment plan or simply to find out more about massage therapy in Okehampton and the wider Devon area.
1. Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Schanberg S, Skuhn C, 2021. Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. In J Neurosci. 2005; 115(10):1397-413.
2. Adams R, White B, Beckett C. The effects of massage therapy on pain management in the acute care setting. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2010;3(1):4-11.
3. Goli H, Shabestari MS52. Effectiveness of massage therapy in improving symptoms in children with allergic asthma: a randomised clinical trial. In BMJ 2016l ;7:bmjopen-2016-015415.52.
4. Huntley A, White AR, Ernst E. Relaxation therapies for asthma: a systematic review in Thorax 2002;57:127-131.