Did you know that reflexology and massage therapy can help improve one's sleep pattern?
Over the years, several studies have found that regular massage therapy or reflexology sessions over a period of weeks can significantly improve subjective sleep quality, sleep onset latency (time to fall asleep), and sleep efficiency, including in demographics of critically ill patients, postmenopausal women, and seniors.
Massage therapy and reflexology can work simultaneously to assist with promoting relaxation, increasing serotonin and melatonin levels, helping with reducing pain and discomfort, stimulating pressure points, and help reduce anxiety.
Reflexology and massage techniques, such as aromatherapy or Swedish Massage can assist with inducing a relaxed response through the body, reduce muscle tension, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and decrease stress hormones. Massage therapy additionally can facilitate the increase of serotonin and melatonin levels in the body. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, works with melatonin, the hormone which controls an individual's sleep-wake cycle. By having the increase in serotonin
and melatonin, one's sleep quality can improve.
Alternatively, massage techniques such as deep tissue massage, and trigger point therapy can alleviate muscle pain and joint stiffness which may hinder one's sleep.
Reflexology, on the other hand, works with acupressure to apply pressure to specific
points that correspond to different organs and systems. By stimulating the "Insomnia Point" on the feet, or the "Wind Pool" point on one's neck, it can help promote sleep.
Lastly, massage and reflexology treatments can assist in improving one's mood and help to reduce anxiety. Massage works to increase oxytocin and endorphins, which can result in facilitating a better mood, reducing anxiety and depression, and promote
a sense of calmness. Additional sources:
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