Why Massage Feels Good
Why Massage Feels Good
Massage feels relaxing, rejuvenating, and transformative, and the reason why comes down to real physiological changes happening inside the body. Many people seek out massage and bodywork as a part of their regular self care, to aid in injury prevention, pain management, and because it just feels good!
But what is actually going on inside the body to make you feel so good after a massage? Well in fact, there are many physiological changes that the body experiences during a massage that leads to you "feeling good."
Massage activates brain regions linked to pleasure and relaxation
Whenever we see something or experience an event with our senses, the information is sent to the amygdala. The amygdala is a small part of the brain shaped like an almond that processes information extremely quickly and sends this information to the correct parts of the brain to respond. We have no control over this, as it is an automatic response.
During the event of a massage, the touch sensation is processed via the amygdala. Before you can even exhale all your stress away, your brain has already translated therapeutic touch to relaxing and healing.
This is because the amygdala is part of the limbic system, which is a part of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is in charge of automatic responses, such as breathing and letting our defenses down or regulating the nervous system.
Increases in serotonin and dopamine contribute to the “feel-good” effect
Our bodies use hormones and chemicals to create change and keep us safe. When we are stressed, depressed, or threatened, the stress hormone cortisol rises. During a massage, cortisol levels are known to drop. As the body responds to cortisol dropping and begins to destress, serotonin and dopamine see an increase of production. These measurable effects suggest that massage therapy is effective for managing stress, depression, pain, auto immune symptoms, aging, and pregnancy.
Stimulates the brain’s “affective touch” pathways
Touch is known to produce feelings of belonging and social support. As social creatures, we have evolved to use touch for social bonding and communication. This is because of C-tactile afferents which are nerve fibers that when activated turn on the limbic system. Therefore pleasurable touch leads to measurable individual and social benefits.
Increases oxytocin, promoting bonding and calm
We know that massage inspires the body to create and release serotonin and dopamine, but massage also stimulates oxytocin release. Oxytocin is known as the bonding hormone. When we feel bonded, trust can be established between massage therapist and client. This trust leads to deeper healing and quicker results for the client.
Activates morphinergic and limbic processes
At its core, massage is often said to feel good due to the release of endorphins, but this is just one part of a broader set of interconnected processes. Massage stimulates the limbic system which stimulates the autonomic nervous system which is why most people automatically respond to touch by feeling relaxed. Just like serotonin and dopamine, endorphins are also feel good hormones except endorphins lead to a reduction in pain specifically.
The limbic system is really the bridge between touch and the body's automatic relaxation and pain relief responses. Comment below if you want a blog post about more parts of the brain and nervous system!
Improves psychological well-being and stress resilience
A recent meta-analysis on touch therapy found that touch based therapies are effective at regulating cortisol levels, reducing pain and supporting weight gain in babies, and improving depression and anxiety in adults. Additionally, touch therapies presented by a robot result in similar positive results except for the mental health benefits such as reduced depression and anxiety. Adults with mental health issues had better results compared to healthy adults. Babies experienced higher levels of positive results with touch therapies from their parent vs a health care provider.
Massage doesn't just feel good, it changes your chemistry from the inside out, and that's what brings people back. Each session boosts dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins while lowering cortisol, helping your body shift into deep relaxation. The release of oxytocin supports trust, connection, and social bonding which are key ingredients for better emotional and physical health. Regular touch therapy has even been shown to improve outcomes for adults experiencing anxiety and depression.
You've read the research, so now come feel the difference for yourself. Book a session with Maren whenever you're ready.
Disclaimer
The content in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice specific to your situation before starting any new treatment or wellness routine.This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. As an affiliate, I only recommend products that I truly believe in from companies that I personally trust.
References
. (n.d.). CORTISOL DECREASES AND SEROTONIN AND DOPAMINE …. https://www.academia.edu/13414260/CORTISOL_DECREASES_AND_SEROTONIN_AND_DOPAMINE_INCREASE_FOLLOWING_MASSAGE_THERAPY
. (n.d.). Touch therapy improves physical and mental health. https://www.facebook.com/groups/sciencesquadgroup/posts/1810039062951629/
. (n.d.). CORTISOL DECREASES AND SEROTONIN AND DOPAMINE …. https://www.academia.edu/13414260/CORTISOL_DECREASES_AND_SEROTONIN_AND_DOPAMINE_INCREASE_FOLLOWING_MASSAGE_THERAPY
. (n.d.). Touch therapy improves physical and mental health. https://www.facebook.com/groups/sciencesquadgroup/posts/1810039062951629/
A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38589702/
Packheiser, J., Hartmann, H., Fredriksen, K., Gazzola, V., Keysers, C., & Michon, F. (2024). A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions. Nature Human Behaviour, 8(6), 1088–1107. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01841-8