The ancient art of massage has been used for centuries as a healing tool for a wide variety of therapies, from pain management to anorexia recovery and many conditions in between. Massage is an excellent medicine for promoting healing and relaxing the body and mind. Therapeutic massage utilizes this foundation of healing and combines it with the systematic application of pressure and movement to manipulate the soft tissues of the body and cultivate well-being. In eating disorder treatment, this comprehensive mind/body connection is imperative for long-term bulimia and anorexia recovery.
The clinical benefits of massage therapy have been documented time after time, as patients receiving massage as part of a comprehensive treatment plan showed lower depression scores, lower stress levels, increased dopamine levels, and noticeable improvement on several other psychological and behavioral measures. The results also are encouraging for anorexia recovery, as a study conducted by researchers at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine also saw generally beneficial results for anorexic women.
The components of purposeful touch and restorative circulation achieve physiological and psychological effects that enable the massage therapist to enhance the overall physical and emotional health of a person, no matter what the specific therapeutic need – pain management, addiction therapy, or bulimia and anorexia recovery.
