Spa Executive | Issue 13 | December 2019

wrote, “These studies combined suggest the
stress-alleviating effects (decreased cortisol)
and the activating effects (increased
serotonin and dopamine) of massage therapy
on a variety of medical conditions and
stressful experiences.”
Another study found that subjects who
underwent Swedish massage twice a week
experienced decreases in cortisol levels and
increases in oxytocin levels. Researchers also
found slight evidence of increased white
blood cell counts.
Reflexology is associated with stress
reduction and decreased blood pressure
A 2007 study at Angela Ruskin University
examined the effects of reflexology on stress
and anxiety and found that patients who
underwent reflexology treatments
experienced bigger decreases in anxiety and
cardiovascular activity than a control group.
These results were consistent with “stress
reduction,” said the authors.
Also, a 2017 study published in the European
Journal of Integrative Medicine found that
hand reflexology alleviated anxiety without
any adverse effects on patients before
coronary angiography, and concluded that it
can be recommended as a
non-pharmacological nursing intervention
along with other methods to relieve patients’
anxiety.
And a 2006 study published in the Journal of
Korean Academy of Nursing looked at the
effects of a self-foot reflexology massage on
depression, stress responses and immune
function in middle-aged women, and found
that there was a statistically significant
difference in depression, perceived stress,
systolic blood pressure, and natural-killer
cells. The authors concluded that “a self-foot
reflexology massage could be utilized as an
effective nursing intervention to reduce
depression and stress responses, and to
strengthen immune systems in middle-aged
women.”
Facial massage lifts mood and calms
anxiety
Facials aren’t just good for the skin. They’re
also good for mood and wellbeing.
A 2008 study at Kyushu University, in
Fukuoka, Japan found that a 45-minute facial
massage reduced anxiety and alleviated
negative mood in healthy adult women.
The study involved 32 women, ranging in age
from 20 to 40. Each received the same type
of facial massage, in which the face was first
massaged using a cream-based lubricant.
That was followed by a steam treatment, after
which the face was massaged again with a
moisturizing lotion. Heart rate and
parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous
activity were measured before and after each
massage. Mood and anxiety levels were also
measured. Parasympathetic nervous activity
increased during the massage, and
sympathetic nervous activity increased
afterwards. The former is linked with a
relaxed physical state, and the latter to a
stimulated physical state, and study authors
theorized that facial massage may have a
stimulating or refreshing effect as well as
relaxation benefits.
The study also found significant decreases in
anxiety and negative mood. “These results
suggest that the facial massage had strong
effects on stress alleviation, or psychological
relaxation,” said the authors.
Technology
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