"Evidence suggests positive effects of massage on psychological health; however, little is known about the effects of massage on body image. This research examined the effect of massage on state body image as well as relations between trait body image and attitudes toward massage. Forty-nine female university students were randomly assigned to either a massage condition or a control condition. It was hypothesized that participants in the massage condition would report improved state body image following the intervention when compared to participants in the control condition. As predicted, participants in the massage condition reported a more favorable state body image than participants in the control condition post-manipulation. Certain body image evaluations were moderately associated with views that massage is pleasurable, with the link between Body Areas Satisfaction and viewing massage as pleasurable reaching significance. Research is needed to determine the mechanism/s through which massage improves body image"
Came across this article publishes on the 16th July. Very interesting concept considering that massage alters body image in a positive way. Something I hadn't really thought about before. Massage releases endorphins and generally makes us feel good, it also makes sense that taking care of yourself and thinking about your body would enhance positive attitude towards self body image.
Hi Dr Lottie
Yes, apart from sorting out people's muscular/skeletal problems, we often utilise massage to help someone to improve their self image, self esteem and to move on from past physical traumas when they come on our transformational breakthrough days and retreats.
If people are not happy with the way they perceive their bodies, then they tend to ignore, neglect, deny or hide aspects of self which sets up inner conflicts, this results in all sorts of problems not only within the physical body and its associated emotional responses but also within our aspects of consciousness, the whole being responds to these negative self limiting thought patterns and beliefs concerning self in a negative manner.
Massage is about embracing self but the sad thing about this, is that the people who could benefit from this the most, will often not be happy to look at them self in the mirror when undressed, so they will not consider letting someone else perceive their body upon a massage table, so will not give them self the liberation from their negative self perceptions which they require.
I completely agree. It does seem that those who would benefit most from massage i.e. those who are stressed and tense with very busy lives are often those who do not make the time in their life for massage and relaxation treatments.
I found it really interesting in Japan where massage and relaxation is a huge part of their culture. I spent some time in an "Onsen" village where their are lots of spa baths made from the natural hot springs. Japanese are very open with nudity and are happy to walk around from spa to spa without any privacy. They seem to be very open about body image and are very comfortable people when they are in this relaxation/therapy setting. It was very surprising because they are also very reserved people.
It would be lovely to see the same massage culture in the west where so many people could benefit from relaxation.
Hi Charlotte,
Dr Tiffany Field gave a great presentation at the recent world massage conference highlighting the benificial effects of massage on anorexia
http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/Massage.html Dopamine increases of 42% !.
Regards steve