Does massage work for stress?
Massage for Stress: Why It Works (and How to Get the Most Out of It)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, scattered, wired-but-tired, or like your whole system is stuck in overdrive—you’re not alone. Most of our clients aren’t just tight. They’re stressed. And massage can help.
But not just because it feels good.
Here’s what’s actually happening during a massage that makes it one of the most powerful tools for managing stress:
1. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system. This is the “rest and digest” branch of your nervous system. When activated, your heart rate slows, digestion improves, cortisol (the stress hormone) drops, and your body begins to repair. Massage shifts your body out of fight-or-flight mode and into a state where healing and balance are possible.
2. It regulates your vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a key player in emotional regulation and stress response. Gentle, therapeutic touch can stimulate this nerve, promoting calm, safety, and even improved mood and immune function. That deep sigh you let out on the table? It’s not just a release—it’s your nervous system coming back online.
3. It reconnects you with your body. Stress often pulls us out of our bodies and into our heads. Massage helps reverse that pattern. Through slow, intentional touch, you can reestablish a sense of presence and safety in your body. This somatic awareness is deeply regulating and helps restore a feeling of control and groundedness.
4. It improves sleep and energy cycles. Massage has been shown to increase serotonin and dopamine levels, which support restful sleep and balanced energy. Clients often report better sleep, more vivid dreams, and a noticeable lift in mood for days after a session.
How to get the most out of a massage for stress relief:
Schedule it when you can actually relax afterward. No rushing to errands right after.
Take a few minutes before your session to breathe, soften, and land in your body.
Let your therapist know you’re coming in for stress relief so they can adjust pacing, pressure, and focus accordingly.
Drink water, move gently, and leave space in your day for integration.
Massage won’t solve everything. But it can offer something most of us desperately need: a safe place to drop your guard, return to your body, and let your system reset.
