Massage Therapy
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What is it?
There are many different types of massage. Here we refer particularly to gentle manual rubbing of the body, particularly the back, preferably performed by a trained massage therapist. A session usually lasts about 30 minutes, and a course would usually consist of 5 or 6 sessions, over successive days or weeks.
How does it work?
Massage is thought to produce chemical and electrical activity changes in the brain and to lower the levels of stress hormones, resulting in a lowering of depressed mood.
Is it effective?
There have not been many studies looking at the effects of massage on people with depression, although several studies have found that massage improves mood in people with physical and anxiety disorders. Massage has been found to be effective in treating symptoms in a group of depressed children and adolescents. Depressed adolescent mothers have also shown improvement following massage. In another study, elderly volunteers with depressive symptoms both gave and received massages. Both groups reported improvement in their depressive symptoms, but those who gave the massage reported a bigger improvement.
Are there any disadvantages?
Although it is usually relaxing and pleasant, some people who have been sexually or physically abused or who are highly anxious may have an adverse reaction, especially in the hands of someone who is inexperienced.
Where do you get it?
Massage therapists are listed in the Yellow Pages. Courses in massage therapy are available from TAFE colleges.
Recommendation
Massage therapy looks promising as a treatment for depression, but requires further evaluation.
Key references
Field TM. Massage therapy effects. American Psychologist 1998; 53: 1270-81.