Massage Therapy and Insomnia

How Insomnia Affects Your Health and How Massage Therapy Can Help

We all experience occasional sleepless nights. Insomnia, defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, can be caused by a variety of short-term factors like stress, anxiety, caffeine consumption, or jet lag. While these occasional sleep disturbances are frustrating, they usually don't significantly impact our health.

However, when insomnia becomes chronic (lasting for weeks or months at a time), it can have a serious impact on our well-being. Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation leads to chemical changes in the body, which can have a number of negative consequences such as:

• Increased pain levels: Sleep deprivation can heighten our sensitivity to pain, making existing aches and pains feel worse (Moyer).

• Exacerbation of other health conditions: Chronic insomnia has been linked to a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

• Cognitive impairment: Sleep deprivation can lead to difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and a general feeling of "fogginess."

How Can We Help

The good news is that there are ways to improve your sleep quality and manage the negative effects of insomnia! Massage therapy has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting better sleep. Research demonstrates that massage can significantly improve sleep quality and duration, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Furthermore, studies by Jane et al. suggest that massage therapy promotes deeper, more restorative sleep. This deeper sleep allows your body to repair and rejuvenate itself more effectively, which can indirectly help manage pain levels and improve your overall health.

If you're struggling with insomnia and its negative effects, massage therapy could be a natural and effective solution. Schedule an appointment today and experience the benefits of a good night's sleep!

Contacts us to learn more about how we can help you catch those Zzz’s.

Stay connected! Follow us on Instagram!

• References

  HealthLink BC. "Insomnia: Improving Your Sleep." [HealthLink BC website]. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/sleeping-better, accessed April 13, 2024

  Moyer, C. A., Rounds, J., & Hannum, J. W. (2004). A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 3-18.

  Oliveira, D. S., Hachul, H., Goto, V., Tufik, S., & Bittencourt, L. R. (2012). Effect of therapeutic massage on insomnia and climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. Climacteric, 15(6), 532-538.

  Baker, S., McBeth, J., Chew-Graham, C. A., & Wilkie, R. (2017). Musculoskeletal pain and co-morbid insomnia in adults: A population study of the prevalence and impact on restricted social participation. BMC Family Practice, 18(1), 1-8.