"Therapeutic massage reduced stress in various clinicalsituations such as that of depression, pain syndromes andauto-immune diseases.20These parameters were assayedwith the measurement of substances like cortisol, serotoninand dopamine. In a study with elderly subjects, it wasobserved that foot massage (reflexotherapy) improvedquality of sleep, reduced depression and increased thelevel of serotonin.21With the same technique, a signifi-cant difference was also observed in climacteric symp-toms, in fatigue, in total cholesterol and in the level of cortisol."

massage improved vascular function in people who had not exercised, suggesting that massage has benefits for people regardless of their level of physical activity.

the study indicates a need for future research investigating the extent to which complementary therapies could lessen or eliminate the patient's reliance on opioids for CLBP symptoms. While long-term studies are needed to fully understand the benefits of clinical massage therapy, Elder said the initial study may give physicians a higher level of confidence to refer patients to massage therapists practicing in the community.

Emotions are natural and they come and go. They can be very useful and deserve my respect and love. They show me my learnt or natural tendencies when faced by the happenings of life within and ourside my body and experience.

Subsequent sessions based in this trust of non judgemental support and effectiveness bring home the realisation that your are being authentically suported in your aims and direction and that you are welcome to have the confidence to change these as you change your perception.

The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of 45 min of facial massage on the activity of autonomic nervous system, anxiety and mood in 32 healthy women.
It was concluded that the facial massage might refresh the subjects by reducing their psychological distress and activating the sympathetic nervous system.
The study also showed that both anxiety and negative mood decreased significantly after the hands-on intervention

In closing, patients accept and commonly use complementary and integrative therapies. They frequently seek out massage therapy to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Although data have suggested that massage may help decrease problems with depressed mood or acute anxiety, less information is available regarding the use of massage as a therapy for depression or anxiety disorders. Current data do suggest that massage may have some benefit as at least an adjuvant to conventional therapies. Although the data are limited, some findings have suggested that massage may acutely decrease hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity, have a positive effect on immune function, enhance parasympathetic tone, and modulate brain circuitry. The approach and philosophy of well-trained massage therapists is complementary to conventional psychiatric training and can thus be an important additional resource in treating patients. A respectful and collaborative approach to care may truly help patients.

At the RCN Research Institute, School of Health & Social Studies,
University of Warwick, a simple but effective trial took place which
proves very effectively that Massage provides pain relief potential.