For many people, their place of employment is a stressful environment. A number of studies have found massage effective for relieving work-related stress. One study used blood pressure as a measure of the stress reduction with massage in the workplace. Fifty two participants had there blood pressure measured before and after a 15-minute massage at work. Analyses showed a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after receiving the massage.

In addition to lowering blood pressure, massage therapy can lower cortisol levels. A study at the Department of Psychology in Toronto had 26 adults receive a massage while 24 adults in a control group relaxed in a massage chair. Both groups received treatments for 15 minutes, two times per week for five weeks. On the first and last days of the study, all participants were monitored with electroencephalography (EEG) before, during and after the sessions. In addition, they did psychological testing and gave saliva samples. At the end of five weeks, the massage group had significantly lower stress and depression scores, and their salivary cortisol levels were lower.

In addition to providing relaxation, massage can reduce pain intensity, tension levels, and improve overall mood. Ongoing sessions of massage therapy may be one of the most effective methods for stress reduction.

Aromatherapy and Massage

Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils, is ofdten used in massage therapy to enhance relaxation. Aromatherapy helps to reduce stress by acting on free radicals related to inflammation, aging, and carcinogenesis.

A Japanese study determined that using lavender and rosemary was particularly effective at reducing both oxidative and psychological stress. The researchers measured the saliva of 22 healthy participants after smelling lavender and rosemary essential oils. Various physiologically substances in saliva were examined, such as such as cortisol, secretory IgA, and alpha-amylase activity; all considered markers of stress. Both lavender and rosemary significantly decreased cortisol levels compared to placebo.

A second Japanese study looked at how lavender essential oils affected stress and arousal levels.192 The results suggested that lavender aromatherapy was associated with reduced mental stress and decreased arousal. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with massage therapy, which greatly enhances the stress reducing effect of the essential oils.

References
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