Why does a change in cortisol and serotonin levels demonstrate the effectiveness of massage as a healing therapy?
After reading this entire article and various studies conducted on different patients; it is evident that therapeutic massage can reduce cortisol levels and have a tendency to raise the dopamine and serotonin levels at the same time (Field, 1998). Cortisol is mainly responsible for high level of anxiety and inflammation (Field, et al., 2005). It is important to know that Cortisol becomes high with stress and lessens with relaxation (Field, et al., 2005). The Cortisol destroys the natural immune cells that target the viruses and cancer (Field, et al., 2005). Serotonin, often present in pain-killers and antidepressants medicines, suppresses noxious signal transmission. Likewise, dopamine decreases depression symptoms and the negative impacts of stress (Field, et al., 2005). For that reason, improving dopamine and serotonin has positive effects on patients.
The massage therapy can enhance the levels of insulin, vagal action, dopamine and serotonin, and to lower the cortisol ranges in a body (Field, 1998). These physiologic changes are associated with less perceived pain, stress, and depression along with increased relaxation. Therefore, with massage therapy we can reduce depression, emotional burden, fatigue and anxiety, as it reduces the cortisol level and increases the dopamine level in the body.
Why are specific articles that use tangible outcomes and a scientific methodology important to advancing massage therapy as a credible and effective therapy?
This article is important for the further advancement within the field of massage therapy. The article is highlighting the positive outcomes of massage treatment within the field of biochemistry. Not only this, but the article is depicting that the massage therapy is a powerful resource to decrease the cortisol level and to increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin simultaneously.
The study review involves research on depressive disorders, pain syndromes, immune system studies (including breast cancer and HIV), and further research to decrease the stress levels. For instance, in studies where the cortisol was evaluated either in urine or in saliva, major decreases were observed in cortisol ranges with an average decrease of 31%. Moreover, the study where the dopamine and neurotransmitters serotonin were examined in urine, the average increase of 28% was observed for serotonin, and 31% increase was noticed for dopamine. The article and such type of studies are important with regards to the further development in the field of massage therapy. The article is also highlighting the stress-alleviating effects (decreased cortisol) and the activating effects (Increased dopamine and serotonin) after the massage therapy.
How does this article contribute to the study of CAM practices?
It is a known fact that massage therapy is a well-known form of (CAM) Complementary and Alternative Medical treatment through which massage practitioners and therapists manipulate the deep tissues to activate pressure receptors. The use of Complementary and Alternative Medical therapy (CAM) is about 30% to 70% among patients with chronic and incurable conditions.
A lot of studies looked into the results of therapeutic massage, displaying changes in anxiety and depression. This article is also important for future (CAM) studies, as it is exhibiting the positive impacts of massage therapy on patients with chronic conditions. Moreover, the article is important as it is highlighting some great results with regards to controlling cortisol and increasing serotonin and dopamine in different patients with severe conditions such as HIV and Breast Cancer.
What is your opinion of the modality discussed in this article? Do you see any outstanding benefits or detractions from the therapy's use in contemporary wellness environments?
The review of the article shows that the positive outcomes of therapeutic massage could be generalized across numerous conditions. In my opinion, the authors determine that massage therapy persistently yields positive results on medical ailments, even though the fundamental mechanisms for these results are not yet determined. The results are awesome from the research as the cortisol levels are decreased, and dopamine and serotonin levels are increased in different studies on patients with chronic fatigue, Asthma, HIV, Breast Cancer, immune-system disease and pregnancy-related stress. The results are outstanding; however there is a need further research with regards to the utilization of therapy’s in contemporary wellness environments.
Reference
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Diego, M. (2005). Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. Johnson & Johnson Research, 1(2), 1397-1434. Retrieved from http://flagstaffazpilates.com/images/Cortisol.pdf
