Oxytocin is a fascinating chemical. It is a profoundly influential hormone for all mammals, one intricately associated with childbirth and breastfeeding. With our recent celebration of Mother’s Day, we thought we should explore this crucial hormone and discuss how and why it is relevant to the topic of therapeutic massage.
Oxytocin is truly a feel good molecule, and in the early days of bonding and breastfeeding, a mother and child are swimming in it. Evolutionary biologists would say this helped make us good parents: a chemically reinforced bond that only the most aberrant among us could resist. This approach to the topic of human relationship is simplistic and reductionist, but there is no question that oxytocin is a bonding molecule, and profoundly so.
Oxytocin is a happy drug, a “warm and fuzzy” chemical. It also helps to hedge against depression and anxiety. Hug your best friend, and you will get a dose. In fact, recent studies have shown that even seeing two people warmly embrace increases your own beneficial hormones!
So let’s talk massage for a moment. With its emphasis on healing touch, the positive intent of the therapist, and the human connection inherent in this skin on skin modality, you can bet oxytocin gets a boost. Therapeutic massage, especially with a practitioner you like and trust, is an effective method to boost this healthy, feel good hormone. In fact, recent studies have shown that therapeutic massage increases oxytocin in the therapist, as well as the client! A recent article at PubMed states that the increase in feelings of warm connection and well-being, and the corresponding reduction in stress chemicals like cortisol “may help explain the mechanisms through which social connections reduce morbidity and mortality.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23251939/ With its effect on social bonding and connection, and the increase in positive, immune boosting hormones, human touch helps us live longer lives.
Thank you for tuning in this month!
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