Can massage reduce anxiety?

Massage eases anxiety, but it isn’t necessarily more effective than cheaper relaxation treatments, such as listening to soft, soothing music or deep breathing, according to a study published in the journal Depression and Anxiety.

The randomized trial split 68 anxiety-ridden patients into groups where they underwent 10 hour-long treatments of one of three therapies: massage, deep breathing while lying down or thermotherapy, which involves intermittently wrapping the arms and legs in warm towels.
All three treatments were offered in dimly lit rooms with quiet background music, and all participants received a handout on deep breathing techniques. Read More