The Science Behind Workplace Massage
It's all about the Neurohormones
We’re bombarded with a plethora of health buzzwords which work their way into a lot of marketing in products and services we use and buy every day. Let’s take a step back and get back to the science behind what massage does to our bodies on a cellular level.
Research conducted at the TOUCH Research Institute at the University of Miami found that massage elevates Dopamine, which the hypothalamus releases. What dopamine does is influence our fine motor skills like sewing, eating or playing a musical instrument. This dopamine release is important as if we lack this neurohormone, we usually display symptoms of clumsiness, lack of interest and poor focus.
Serotonin is also another neurohormone which is elevated in us during a massage. This hormone helps to regulate mood and social behaviour, appetite and digestion, sleep and memory. Low levels of serotonin usually display in depression, difficulty sleeping and obsessive-compulsive behaviour.
Techniques such as Acupressure and trigger point are further examples of massage techniques that provide a number of important benefits. These techniques create endorphins, which are compounds known to reduce pain and produce a sense of euphoria. After 15 minutes of massage, endorphins come into play and their "feel good" effects may last up to 48 hours.So next time you take stage on a massage table, know that there is a whole lot more going own to getting you feeling great!
Studies
An Exploratory Study Of Neurohormonal Responses Of Healthy Men To Massage
References
Cady, S. H., & Jones, C. E. (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual Motor Skills. 84, 157-158.
Facts
On average, 25.3% of sick leave absenteeism is decreased when incorporating health programs