Woman receiving therapeutic massage at rehab centerMassage therapy appears at face value to be one of those costly non-essential services in rehab. In fact, therapeutic massage is often effective in addiction treatment.

It can be difficult to find the right treatment for your own best chance of recovery from addiction. There are so many options, and it can be hard to differentiate between what will work well for you and what may just be “bells and whistles” offered by a treatment facility to lure paying patients into the program.

 

Differences Between Therapeutic Massage and Other Types of Therapy

In rehab, most therapies require heavy interaction by patients and can even feel emotionally and psychologically draining at times. Group and talk therapies and other forms of treatment require a great deal of patient introspection, looking inward to get to know themselves and their own struggles much better.

Why are therapies usually so taxing on patients? Most therapies challenge patients and force them to:

  • Think deeply
  • Communicate with diverse groups
  • Answer highly personal questions
  • Explore past trauma or stress
  • Practice new skills
  • Learn something

In many ways, addiction treatment can be exhausting. Many patients sleep better in treatment than they ever have at home, much of that sleep being due to the extensive effort that rehab requires from patients each day. This is contrary to what most people think of rehab, as if it’s a resort-style vacation destination merely for detoxifying and talking about feelings.

Even programs that sound relaxing at face value, such as exercise or equine therapy, delve deeper into the individual and require thought. Therapeutic massage is different, in that it helps to relieve the stress of addiction and rehab that can drive cravings and other negative effects of recovery. During massage therapy, patients aren’t required to “work” as they are in other types of treatment.

Why Therapeutic Massage Works in Addiction Treatment

At first glance, massage can appear to be self-indulgent and pampering. Many people may believe that pampering is the last thing that a patient in addiction recovery needs. All of this is untrue, in that stress prohibits progress in addiction recovery. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, therapeutic massage relieves that stress and opens pathways for greater progress in sobriety.

Therapeutic massage is also proven to produce a substantial increase in beta-endorphins. This reduces agitation, creates a more positive attitude and improves patients’ outlooks toward their own recovery.

Therapeutic massage also helps patients build self-awareness. During massage therapy, patients are quiet, still and undistracted. They are able to focus more on physical responses, particularly regarding how stress is affecting them physically.

Massage therapy is often used in the detox process and continues throughout rehab because of its detoxifying effects. As part of massage, muscles are relaxed and endorphins released. Blood flow is increased, which better nourishes recovering tissues.

Therapeutic Massage and Other Therapies of Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida

In Jacksonville, Florida, Joint Commission-accredited Beaches Recovery uses massage and other holistic methods as part of a well-rounded approach to individual patient recovery. Patients gain mind, body and spirit recovery at Beaches Recovery through talk therapies like individual counseling, group therapy, family programs, and other evidence-based practices that include holistic methods of massage, chiropractic care, yoga, physical fitness and meditation. Through this complete approach, patients gain a better chance of long-term, sustainable recovery.

If you or someone you love are ready to fully and completely overcome addiction to drugs or alcohol, Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville provides the accredited treatment you need. Call Beaches Recovery now at 8666050532 to learn more about available programs and to verify your insurance.