Techniques used in massage therapy include:
- Swedish
- Hot stone
- Aromatherapy
- Deep Tissue
- Sport
- Trigger point
- Reflexology
- Shiatsu
- Thai 
- Prenatal
- Chair
- Lymphatic drainage
- Cranial Sacral
-Abhyanga (oil)
- Myofascial release

Different Types of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is often recommended as a complementary treatment because it has been shown to relieve stress, depression, and anxiety due to the reduction of cortisol levels. Increased human contact can also stimulate the release of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. 

Mental Health and Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is client-centered and structured. Therapists must respond to their client's individual needs, which means monitoring for pain reactions, contraindications, and including the client in deciding which techniques will be used in the massage. Posture and bodily tissues are assessed. Health is conceptualized as a naturally relaxed state and practitioners help to advise clients on how to maintain it during and after sessions.

Treatment Framework Used by Massage Therapists

Massage is the manipulation of soft tissues, including muscle, connective tissues, ligaments, and skin using pressure, kneading, and rubbing via hands or other equipment. Licensed massage therapists are trained in proper technique and the different types of massage.

Grand Valley State University

Examples of mind body interventions include:
- Massage Therapy
- Meditation
- Tai Chi
- Qi Gong
- Walking Therapy
- Yoga


Types of Mind Body Interventions

Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P. J., Larson, E. R., Carroll, D., Sharenko, M., Nettles, J., & Kinkead, B. (2018). Massage Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders. FOCUS, 16(1), 24–31. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20170043

Massage Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders.

Pilot studies are being conducted on the feasibility and efficacy of psychotherapy sessions while walking. While it is currently being practiced, its outcomes have only recently gained research interest.

Walk Therapy: Assessing the Feasibility of Walking During Psychotherapy

Wang, C., Bannuru, R., Ramel, J., Kupelnick, B., Scott, T., &amp; Schmid, C. H. (2010). Tai Chi on psychological well-being: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-10-23 

Tai Chi on psychological well-being: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

It is a low-impact exercise that focuses on the mind-body connection. It originated from the East but has now become widespread, and many practice it in the West as a form of more interactive meditation.

Tai Chi

Pascoe, M. C., Thompson, D. R., &amp; Ski, C. F. (2020). Meditation and endocrine health and Wellbeing. Trends in Endocrinology &amp; Metabolism, 31(7), 469–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2020.01.012 

Meditation and endocrine health and Wellbeing. 

Meditation has frequently been associated with improving mental health. It has been studied by researchers that changes related to the endocrine system after meditation are what improve mental health and stress. However, this link is still being studied even to this day. 

Meditation Improving Mental Health

Physical activity has positive effects on psychological health. Not only does exercise reduce risks of obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and hypertension, but physical activity also has been proven to boost confidence and reduce anxiety and stress.

Physical Activity and Improved Mental Health

Psychedelics such as shrooms has been used throughout history to aid in meditational practices. Could further research on benefits of psychedelics further improve future mental health practices? 

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