Understanding the Benefits of Massage Therapy

February 25, 2021

Harmony Place Team

As the concept of drug and alcohol rehab has evolved and treatment professionals have learned more and more about what works and what doesn’t, the idea of alternative treatment methods has taken off. When it comes to the idea of alternative and integrated treatment options one of the most popular and universally liked is massage therapy.

Whether it is used as an alternative to more traditional treatment methods, or even to complement those methods, rehabilitation massage therapy is a great way for someone to get in tune with themselves physically, mentally, and even spiritually. It may be helpful to take a look at the concept of massage therapy, as well as the effectiveness of massage therapy as it relates to drug and alcohol rehab.

What Is Massage Therapy?

Dating back thousands of years, the concept of massage therapy has been used all over the world, from India to the United States. It became popular here as far back as the mid-1800s and saw its modern-day popularity peak beginning in the 1970s among athletes.

The concept of massage therapy centers around the manipulation of soft tissue in the body for the purpose of overall wellness and managing certain health conditions. From a drug and alcohol treatment standpoint, this can be particularly useful during the detox process when the body is experiencing physical and mental pains associated with withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Some of the Biggest Benefits of Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy not only has plenty of physical benefits but also mental and spiritual ones as well. Obviously, massage therapy can help alleviate physical pain. It can also help relax you and relieve any mental stresses that you may be experiencing. Massage therapy can be particularly beneficial when it comes to addressing the following ailments:

Anxiety
Joint pain
Headaches
Fibromyalgia
Digestive issues
Soft tissue damage
Sports-related injuries
Insomnia caused by anxiety and stress

Even if you aren’t suffering from one of these ailments, massage therapy can still be very beneficial. Some of the biggest benefits associated with massage therapy include:

Improve sleep
The building of trust
Reducing agitation and anxiety
Releasing “feel good” hormones
Providing a connection to your body
Improving or increasing body awareness
Lowering of the heart rate and blood pressure
Increasing serotonin and dopamine levels in the body
Providing an alternative, drug-free method of healing

How Can Massage Therapy Help With Addiction Treatment?

While it might seem like during massage therapy you just lay there while the therapist works on you, it is much more than that. When it comes to addiction treatment, it can either be used in place of more traditional treatment methods or even as a way to complement those methods.

During massage therapy, the therapist will knead and press on muscles and other pressure points to help with overall circulation as well as to calm the mind and relieve tension. Massage therapy is also a great way to get the body to release dopamine and other feel-good chemicals naturally and without the use of mind-altering substances.

Massage therapy is a great way to relax and shut the mind down for a little. This can be particularly beneficial to those who are in addiction treatment and spend their days attending various therapy sessions that require their undivided attention.

The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy as it Pertains to Addiction Treatment

We discussed some of the general benefits that are associated with massage therapy above, but what about specific benefits as it pertains to those who find themselves in addiction treatment? Well, let’s take a look at the effectiveness of massage therapy as it pertains to addiction treatment.

Reducing Pain and Discomfort

When a person stops using drugs, they begin to feel things more. That’s because the drugs were masking whatever issues the person might have had, including aches and pains. In addition, the symptoms and side effects associated with withdrawing off of drugs and alcohol can also be a painful experience.

Massage therapy is a great and natural way to reduce and relieve some of those pains and discomforts one might feel, especially during the early stages of detox. By stimulating the blood flow in the body, the body can help naturally heal any damage it might have suffered to the tissues or muscles.

Improve Sleep Quality

One of the most common symptoms associated with withdrawing and detoxing off drugs and alcohol is the body’s inability to get a good night’s sleep. Some people might struggle to sleep throughout the night, while others might find themselves suffering from insomnia and not being able to sleep at all.

Massage therapy allows both the body and mind to relax and eases any feelings of worry or stress that someone may have. When the body and mind are rested and relaxed it is easier to not only get to sleep, but also to sleep comfortably throughout the night.

Stimulate Relaxation

In addition to reducing pain and discomfort and improving sleep quality, massage therapy is also a great way to stimulate pressure receptors in the brain. This can help improve the overall function of the vagus nerve, which is the primary nerve in the brain.

When the vagus nerve is stimulated, it can help reduce blood pressure, slow down the heart rate, and reduce the stress hormones in the body. This can all create a sense of calm and relaxation all over the body in a natural way and without the need for drugs and alcohol.

Healthy Hormone Balance

People who suffer from drug and alcohol addictions tend to suffer from a hormonal imbalance. This is because drugs and alcohol change up the entire chemical balance in the body. Massage therapy can be a great way to increase the body’s natural production of dopamine and serotonin, two of the main components of having a healthy hormonal balance.

What Are the Most Common Types of Massage Therapy Used in Addiction Treatment?

There are many different options available when it comes to massage therapy. Not everyone has the same threshold when it comes to pain and some people prefer different types of massages than others. That’s why there are so many options available, so everyone can get the massage therapy that works best for them. Some of the more popular massage therapy options include the following:

Deep Tissue

The ultimate goal of a deep tissue massage is to improve your overall posture and movement. A deep tissue massage can also be a great way to relieve chronic pain and even deal with lingering sports-related injuries. During a deep tissue massage, the massage therapist will focus on the connective tissue that can be found along the spine.

Shiatsu

A shiatsu massage is ideal for someone who is looking to improve the overall function of their organs and tissues. By doing so, it will ultimately result in the boosting of energy levels. During this type of massage, the massage therapist will focus specifically on certain points along the body’s meridian pathway.

Swedish

A Swedish massage is designed to help improve the circulation of the blood throughout the body. It can also help address issues with the lymph nodes. When getting a Swedish massage, the massage therapist will typically focus on the muscle tissue that is connected to the shoulders with the use of oil.

Hot Stone

Hot stone massages are used to increase blood flow with the goal of relieving muscle pain and injuries. During a hot stone massage, the massage therapist will place the stone or stones on the area that needs to be addressed. This will likely be either the back, the hands, or the feet.

Are You Interested in Rehabilitation Massage Therapy?

Whether it’s in place of more traditional treatment methods or as a complement to those methods, massage therapy is a great way to relieve the physical and mental pains that come along with addiction and addiction treatment.

At Harmony Place, we are proud to offer integrated therapy options, including massage therapy as a way to complement our group and individual therapy sessions. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and could benefit from massage therapy, contact us today. We will discuss with you the various treatment options we offer and put together a treatment plan that is custom-made for you and to address your needs.

Chris P

I've been to 12 rehabs over the last 20 years and NO other place has touch like Harmony Place! From the owner right down to the cleaning lady, everyone here is kinda and warm. God has blessed this place and I feel privileged to have come through here. I recommend anyone who is going through their struggle with mental health or substance abuse to pick up the phone and come! You won't regret it!

Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

Monica G

I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

Denton

Awesome place great people u want to check this place out most definitely 😜

Tyler

A treatment center where the owners truly care about your recovery and after care.. cannot recommend enough

Jodana S

If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at