According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, a full 70 percent of adults experience a life event traumatic enough to result in post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Indeed, PTSD has garnered a considerable amount of media attention in the past decade.
A number of different therapies and treatment regimens commonly are utilized, including medications and talk therapy. A growing number of people suffering from PTSD are taking advantage of massage therapy as an effective means of addressing the condition.
According to researchers associated with the Mayo Clinic, PTSD occurs following a traumatic event as a result of chemical imbalances in a person's brain. These chemicals, including serotonin, are rendered off balance due to the emotional stress associated with the traumatic event. The imbalance does not resolve and a person suffering from PTSD is in a continually state of "flight or fight." The bodies of these people continually are awash in stress hormones, leaving them feeling a persistent heightened sense of anxiety.
Regular massage therapy permits a person to relax to a greater degree than was possible before this treatment course commenced. As a consequence of being able to relax more, these individuals finally are able to enjoy more appropriate sleep patterns. The overall level of stress hormones within such an individual's body begin to drop, leading to a lessening of the symptoms of PTSD.
Two types of massage therapy commonly are utilized when it comes to PTSD treatment: Reiki, or Tui Na. Reiki involves the placing of hands on specific parts of the body to relieve an underlying condition like PTSD. The palm is used to effect the actual massage process in Reiki. Tui Na incorporates martial arts principles into the massage process. In addition, Tui Na many times is undertaken in conjunction with acupuncture as part of a comprehensive treatment and healing process.
Many individuals enjoy quicker relief from PTSD when massage therapy is added to more traditional form of treatment for the condition. For example, a growing number of professionals who work with PTSD patients are combining talk therapy, medication and massage therapy to more quickly and effectively treat the condition.
The combination approach that includes massage therapy accomplishes an important objective of PTSD treatment. Health care professionals maintain that more rapid and effective intervention in relieving the symptoms and causes associated with PTSD is important to ensuring long term relief from the condition.
SquareOne Physio offers massage therapy and physiotherapy for sports injuries, personal training, motor vehicle accidents and sports massage. Don’t hesitate to book your appointment today and we will help you to get back to your normal routine!
