If you’re interested in exploring a more holistic approach to addiction treatment, massage therapy is one amenity to consider. The practice of massage is time-honored, with the earliest recorded medical documentation of massage coming to us from Chinese healers from 4,700 years ago. Should you think about adding massage therapy alongside traditional methods of addressing your substance abuse issues? Here are some advantages to be aware of.
1. Helps With Detoxification
The squeezing, pressing and pulling motions that characterize massage do more than help tension drain away from your body. They also improve circulation and flush lactic acid out of sore muscles. A professional massage can encourage your body’s removal of toxins and enables you to introduce more oxygen and other nutrients to your tissues and organs.
2. Releases Endorphins
After you complete the medical detox phase of your treatment, your next significant goal will be to bring your brain chemistry back into balance. Because of the way drugs and alcohol change the communication pathways between neurons, your body might have trouble releasing “happy” chemicals on its own when you are establishing your sobriety. Another benefit of massage therapy is that it increases the amount of beta-endorphins in your bloodstream, offering you an all-natural “high” that helps you feel good.
3. Reduces Pain
Therapeutic massage offers pain relief for anyone who is looking to heal while improving their mood and energy levels. If you developed a dependence on opioids due to chronic pain, massage is a medication-free way to manage it and prevent a relapse. Combining massage with other holistic treatment options such as yoga and meditation can help boost your body’s serotonin levels naturally.
4. Stress Reduction
Over time, chronic anxiety and stress can take a toll on your body. An excess of cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone, often leads to issues such as a weakened immune system, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep and weight gain. By lowering cortisol levels, massage therapy helps those in recovery feel more relaxed and in control of their newfound sobriety.
5. Helps You Achieve More Restful Sleep
High-quality sleep can be elusive during recovery. Insomnia is a challenge for anyone who typically relied on drugs or alcohol to help them fall asleep every night. Massage can help combat sleep problems by allowing you to escape from the worries and stresses of life while you relax and enjoy the experience.
6. Boosts Self-Awareness
Identifying and learning how to manage addiction triggers is a crucial component of recovery. Understanding how feelings of anger, loneliness, boredom, exhaustion and stress trigger the urge to use helps you take a more productive role in managing your sobriety. Regular massage helps enhance your awareness of your body, including where you hold tension in your muscles.
How to Find a Treatment Center That Offers Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can be an invaluable component of your overall drug and alcohol recovery program. At Vista Taos, massage is one of the holistic services we offer alongside our proven conventional treatment methods. If you’re ready to change your life, but don’t know where to turn, contact our admissions team today to learn more about how we can help you develop a recovery plan.
