Banish Depression with Massage Therapy from a Therapeutic Massage Spa in St. Paul, Ramsey County MN

Depression is experienced by most people at some point in life, or even more often. It is good to know that there are natural treatments available and affordable for everyone. One of the most effective natural treatments against depression is massage therapy such as reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy. Make sure, though, that you get your massage therapy from qualified massage therapists at a reputable therapeutic massage spa in St. Paul, Ramsey County MN.

According to the National Institute of Mental health clinical depression hits over 20 million Americans above the age of 18 every year. That refers only to diagnosed clinical depression and does not even cover the usual depressive mood that hits most people every so often.

Clinical depression is a diagnosed illness that can be quite serious. It is characterized by a feeling of hopelessness and anxiety. The patient has sleeping problems, headaches, loss of appetite, digestive disorders and general fatigue.

Once clinical depression has set in, it interferes with the normal activities of daily life more and more each day to the point that the patient may find it difficult to function in the most severe instances. Some patients may even attempt to commit suicide. Non-clinical depression, or what is often referred to as the blues, could develop from a simple mood to severe clinical depression if ignored.

One of the primary chemical triggers of depression has been found to be the depletion of serotonin levels in the patient’s brain. This is why most antidepressants prescribed by doctors are actually meant to increase levels of serotonin in the patient. The Northwestern health Sciences University has experts, however, who caution against medication and prefer natural methods to increase serotonin levels in the body.

One of the first things that need to be done to increase serotonin levels is to eliminate or at least drastically reduce stress. Stress has been found to trigger a vicious cycle of causing depression which heightens stress even more and further deepens depression. To relieve stress naturally one should practice mindfulness or focusing on the moment. This can be done through meditation, yoga, tai chi or just by spending quiet relaxed moments thinking positive thoughts.

Proper nutrition is also crucial. Omega-3 fatty acids from cod liver oil, flax seed, flax seed oil, salmon, mackerel, herring sardines and trout are required by the brain for serotonin production. The amino acids of protein are also building blocks of serotonin. These should, however, be properly balanced with complex carbohydrates. While protein should be consumed at daytime, complex carbohydrates should be eaten at night to induce better sleep.

Massage therapy has been found to be most effective in both preventing and treating depression. Massage therapy can relieve stress and can trigger the production of feel good body chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin.

Of course you have to choose a highly qualified and professionally trained massage therapist. Do not risk your health and well being by going to an uncertified masseuse or masseur. Without proper massage therapy training, such a masseuse or masseur may leave you with aches and pains that you never had before. This will only further worsen your depression.

You can choose any massage modality since all massage modalities are equally effective for the treatment of depression. If you happen to be pregnant, then the most appropriate choice would be pregnancy massage therapy. Otherwise you can avail of reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy or Swedish massage therapy from a therapeutic massage spa in St. Paul, Ramsey County MN.