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How can touch therapies help with stress and anxiety?

Writer's picture: Amber SearleAmber Searle

Many touch therapies such as Reflexology, Holistic Facials and Aromatherapy Massage are Complementary Therapies, this means you can use them alongside conventional medical treatments.

 

If you think you may have a health condition, first see your GP. It is particularly important to talk to your GP or Midwife before trying Complementary Therapies if you have a pre-existing condition or are pregnant.

 

When we feel anxious or stressed, the sympathetic nervous system is activated; often referred to as the ‘fight, flight, freeze mode’. This is a normal, protective response to threat.

 

However, modern day threats rarely require us to run away or fight for survival resulting in the stress hormones not being properly utilised: they stay in the body.

 

“The long-term activation of the stress response system and too much exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt almost all the body's processes.

 

This puts you at higher risk of many health problems, including:

• Anxiety.

• Depression.

• Digestive problems.

• Headaches.

• Muscle tension and pain.

• Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

• Sleep problems.

• Weight gain.

• Problems with memory and focus

 

That’s why it is so important to learn healthy ways to cope with your life stressors”

(Mayo Clinic link below)*

 

 Touch therapies such as Reflexology, Aromatherapy Massage and Holistic Facials can relieve stress and anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system; often referred to as ‘rest, digest and heal mode’

 

Once the body knows that it no longer needs to be on high alert to perceived threats it begins to relax.

 

From personal experience I understand deep relaxation may feel unachievable at first. At one stage in my life my mind could not relax enough to read one page of a book let alone enter a mediative state. This is why I use the phrase

 

“Practise the Pause”

 

It is possible to develop a familiarity with what deep relaxation feels like. This can be made easier for many through touch therapy, in a professional space with a qualified and nurturing therapist.  

 

Wonderful things can happen during deep relaxation:

 

The digestive system functions better

 

Muscles are more relaxed

 

The body processes and removes toxins at an optimal level

 

Blood pressure comes down

 

The body is better able to repair itself

 

Positive physical touch through touch based Complementary Therapies can release additional stress relieving endorphins. These feel-good hormones are not only effective at reducing stress and anxiety but can also provide pain relief.

 

You are very welcome to book a free telephone consultation prior to making an appointment. 30min taster sessions are also available (£20)

 

Full Reflexology, Aromatherapy Massage and Holistic Facials last 1hr (£40) with many people opting for combined sessions for up to 2hrs (£75) in length.

 

Costs are for a daytime session between 09:30 – 18:00 (Monday- Friday)

 

Evening sessions 18:00 – 20:30 £55 per hour

 

Of course, there are also many free things that I do to Practise the Pause which I often share on my Instagram and Facebook stories.

 

 Amber

Complementary Therapist

Encil Melangell, Day Retreat, Llanfair Caereinion

 


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