Massage & Depression

A 2010 review of studies has suggested that massage may be beneficial in the battle against depression.  Despite the inability to perform truly "blind" clinical trials (i.e. it is obvious to the subject and clinicians if a subject is receiving a massage or not), there seems to be sufficient evidence in studies to point to the effectiveness of massage in reducing depression.

This is an encouraging development in research.  Although the percentage of adults with major depressive disorder has declined over the past years (7.9% --> 6.4% from 2004 to 2008, according to the National Institute of Mental Health), it is still a positive development that natural methods of treatment are options for combating depression.

As research is constantly proving, massage is good for you.

Read the original article from Reuters here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/30/us-massage-depression-idUSTRE62T4AK20100330