Evidence has demonstrated that massage helps relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems – but lack of access and out-dated perceptions are holding back uptake in the UK.
Adding touch and message therapy to the UK’s regular health service could reduce mental health problems by more than 10% and cut the number of sick days taken across the UK by 1.76 million, according to a recent report from the British Beauty Council britishbeautycouncil.com. Numerous studies by The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami have found that massage therapy effectively reduces symptoms associated with mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and stress. By stimulating the release of natural endorphins such as cortisol that regulate mood, massage can reduce stress and aid relaxation. It also increases blood circulation and the release of oxygen from the blood into the muscles, which helps to increase energy and leaves you feeling refreshed.
With 1 in 6 people experiencing mental health problems in any given week in England (according to a report by leading UK-based mental health charity Mind access to complementary therapies like massage are crucial to helping the British public address their mental wellbeing. The Massage Company’s founder, Charlie Thompson, comments: “Our data shows an increasing number of our members and customers are seeking out massage therapy for mental health, both as a complementary therapy to relieve symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and stress, and as a proactive step towards boosting overall mental health. As the UK leaves lockdown, it’s clear from the data that people are prioritising their mental health perhaps more than ever before. We hope that by bringing accessible, regular massage to the high street, we are helping people to make positive lifestyle changes that allow them to focus on their mental wellbeing. “
He states that his company is on a mission to utilise a subscription model to make regular, high- quality massage accessible as a complementary mental health therapy and enable people across the UK to make massage therapy part of their regular self-care routine and boost mental wellbeing. While a growing body of research supports the role of massage in relieving depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, it’s often overlooked as a therapy in the UK due to lack of access and, in part, out-dated perceptions of the massage industry.
Since its inception in 2016, The Massage Company has continued to challenge pre-conceptions of massage and the stereotype of the industry. Their vision is to bring high-quality massage to the wellbeing mainstream. They want people to see massage as accessible to everyone and good value for money, routine part of a better and balanced quality of life. Their centres in Camberley, Tunbridge Wells, High Wycombe and Sutton Coldfield are in highly franchise opportunities available and plans to expand on a national scale.
