Summary: Those that suffer from anxiety understand how physically debilitating it can be to their everyday lives. Fortunately, there are various therapeutic methods that can help alleviate a majority of the onset symptoms.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects over 6 million American adults. Those that suffer from anxiety can suffer from a variety of physical symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, twitching, lightheadedness, hot flashes, and shortness of breath. Additionally, anxiety sufferers tend to have negative and fearful thoughts about the future, which can potentially lead to irrational decision-making, or worse, suicidal tendencies.

Introducing Massage Therapy

An unconventional method of anxiety-reduction can come from massage therapy. Various types of tissue manipulation have been practiced for thousands of years to treat all sorts of diseases and illnesses. Therapeutic massages can be especially helpful when it comes to reducing both anxiety and stress.

The Reduction of Anxiety Through Physical Touch

Massage therapy can work the cleanse the body of impurities. For instance, it assists the body in breaking down toxins and waste in muscles and can have a calming effect on patients that suffer from anxiety. A professional masseuse, or even your local Asian massage in Manhattan, can help you relax and soothe the aches and pains in all parts of your body. It’s important to remember that it takes some time for this therapy to begin working. Several sessions are recommended, so don’t expect immediate results.

Choosing a Massage Type

There are a wide array of massage techniques that you can choose from today. For one, there’s the deep tissue massage, which works to reach the sub-layer of the fascia and musculature – which is not for everyone due to the immense physical force implemented during this massage. Additionally, practitioners need to be trained and have a thorough understanding of both anatomy and physiology to correctly perform this technique. Another popular technique that most patients go for is the Swedish massage, which utilizes a vigorous stroking pattern to energize the body. Essentially, it utilizes five basic strokes including: kneading, percussive, rolling, and vibration to promote circulation.

If you are suffering from anxiety, it’s important to first consult with your primary care physician before attempting to try massage therapy. Be sure that you obtain your doctor’s approval to attend massage therapy sessions beforehand, as some suffer from physically debilitating diseases that only specific massage therapists can provide. The doctor may also recommend certain anti-anxiety medications, counseling, or even herbal remedies. If a massage is suggested, be sure to look for established massage clinics that can provide you with a variety of different massage styles to match your preferences.