Can massage therapy help improve mental health?

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Many studies have been made on the benefits of massage therapy, but few of them detail the relationship between this alternative treatment and mental health. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests that more than 26 percent of Americans suffer from a mental condition. This amounts to approximately 60 million Americans reporting a mental illness, with nearly 21 million experiencing mood disorders and around 40 million suffering from of anxiety.

This alarming statistical figure is made even more disturbing by the suggestion that many individuals do not seek medical treatment either because of social stigma or ignorance. Additionally, sufferers may be hesitant to seek professional treatment because of the perceived cost. It is true that mental health treatments don’t come cheap, but individuals are encouraged to see the cost as an investment rather than an expense.

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New research has been made on affordable (yet still effective) alternatives for mental health treatments. In particular, many analysts are studying the connection between massage therapy and its benefits on mental health. Practitioners of massage therapy see it as a complete option because of its ability to soothe both the body and mind. Certain hand movements can trigger the brain to release hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, which have been medically linked to particular mental illnesses.

These data have given hope to sufferers of mental illnesses and massage therapy is now being considered as another avenue for mental health treatment. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states that many people view massage as an effective means to improve both mind and body.

Despite this general positive outlook, the medical community still recommends to visit a qualified and registered mental health practitioner. Massage may be beneficial for certain conditions, but only to a certain degree. Further research still needs to be done on its efficacy for severe cases.

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Learn more about the benefits of massage therapy by liking this Massage Envy Facebook page.

Pampering at Massage Envy Spa May Just Be the Perfect Gift

If you are looking for a gift for that hard-to-shop-for person, you'll be happy to know that Massage Envy Spa is here to help with the perfect solution – a gift card!

Give a gift card and treat someone special to a relaxing massage. Massage not only feels great, but it has many health benefits. It can relieve headaches and improve posture, blood pressure, circulation, flexibility, and range of motion. Studies show it can even strengthen the immune system and speed post-operative healing time and healing time after injury. Clients can choose from deep tissue, Swedish, prenatal, geriatric, reflexology, cranial sacral therapy, or a sports massage. Massage Envy Spa massage therapists can also provide deep muscle therapy, which uses warming and cooling thermal treatments, and hot stone sessions, which involves smooth, heated stones placed on the body, followed by a massage customized to the client.

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But Massage Envy Spa offers much more than just massage. The spa offers several different options so that your loved one can be pampered in style. Clients can also opt for a facial or a sugar foot scrub, enhanced therapy that soothes and refreshes foot muscles as well as smoothing, hydrating, and protecting feet. Massage Envy Spa also offers aroma therapy, which is the use of essential oils from fruits, flowers, and herbs to naturally improve well-being.

Everyone enjoys being pampered, and so sometimes just one massage won't do. If you want to make sure your loved one can really relax, Massage Envy Spa also offers gift memberships that are good for 3 or 6 months or a year. And, there are over 1,000 Massage Envy Spas across the country, so there is sure to be one in a location that is convenient.

Massage Envy Spa not only helps to bring some much-needed and much-deserved relaxation into clients' lives — they can also help you find the perfect gift!

Massage Envy Spa Will Help You Feel Better Regardless of Where You Live

Let us assume that your muscles ache or your neck is hurting or you need your feet massaged. If you live in a state like California, Colorado or New Mexico, it is relatively easy to find a certified masseuse to treat you. There are many alternative therapy practitioners in those states. Some use their homes for treatment locations, while others have their own centers. In these cases, it is easy to feel uncomfortable in these settings because you can feel like you are intruding on a home or the location can seem unkempt or unsanitary. If you live in these states and especially if you live elsewhere, you will want to receive your massage by a certified practitioner in a location that was specifically created for this type of treatment. Fortunately, there is the Massage Envy Spa.


With more than 1,000 locations in the US, Massage Envy Spa was created as a destination for people who want a professional massage in an environment that is specifically managed for that one purpose. If you do the math, there are an average of 20 locations in each state so you are bound to find one of the spas near you.

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One of the nice aspects of visiting a Massage Envy Spa is that you know that your masseuse will be state licensed and professionally trained. In addition, the treatment can be tailored to your needs. For example, you might visit explaining that you overdid it playing basketball. Or, that you are having headaches. Or that you have a chronically tight muscle. Spa practitioners will provide the therapies best suited for treating your condition. These might range from Swedish technique, to Trigger Point to Deep Tissue massage.

Regardless of the reason for your visit, you will leave feeling much better. If the treatment did not completely resolve your problem, it will bring resolution much closer.