It is becoming more acceptable to now use holistic massage therapy within a recovery program as it helps an addict to relax and release stress from the body. Recovery is not only about talking to someone about your feelings and why you started taking drugs or drinking, but also about health and exercise.
A healthy body along with fitness, will help in recovery. The body needs to be looked after as much as the mind does. Nutrition is part of this as most addicts will not be eating or drinking properly. The body becomes weakened when not enough nutrients are going into it. Over time it can shut down on you.
What is holistic massage therapy?
Holistic massage therapy is designed to relax the muscles and ease tension. This type of therapy releases endorphins into the body which lead to a much happier, relaxed feeling. Clients are not required to talk during this type of therapy.
It is beneficial for people who are not as open to talking straight away as others may be. It is a great way to relax them and make them release their worries and stress out of their bodies. It takes away negative energy from the body.
What kind of addiction is this therapy good for?
Massage therapy is incorporated into all rehabilitation programs and are used for all patients with various addictions. It has various benefits but cannot be used as a stand-alone part of recovery. It used along with counselling, group sessions, yoga, meditation, and other treatment programs within a rehab clinic.
How does massage therapy help in addiction treatment?
People with addiction suffer lack of sleep, stress, not eating properly, and many more issues. These can all cause issues such as anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and stress. Massage therapy is designed to help reduce all these issues and remove toxins from the body.
This type of therapy helps in creating good circulation of blood. Once this is done, the patients mind relaxes and releases all types of stress. It helps with removing bad memories, anxiety, and depressive thoughts.
What are the advantages of this therapy?
There are various advantages, such as:
- Pain which was caused through withdrawal can be removed through massage therapy
- Massage improves the immune system
- The massage creates a sense of calm which helps the patient relax and feel safe.
- It takes away negative thoughts by releasing endorphins
- Massage therapy helps with focus
- It helps with sleep for people who have insomnia or in general struggle to sleep at night
- Helps with reflection
What clinics can I get this done in?
Some of the best clinics are as follows:
- Addiction Rehab Toronto – They are known to take a holistic approach to the recovery of their clients. They do various type of treatments along with this. Payments vary depending on your plan and how long you are staying for.
- 1000 Islands Addiction Treatment Centre – This clinic also believes in taking a holistic approach to the recovery of their clients. They cost roughly $21,250 and treatment can take 30 to 90 days.
- The Farm – Costing $19,000, they also believe in taking a holistic approach. They provide treatment for anyone aged over 18 years.
- Inspire Change Wellness Centre – They cost around $12,000 to $30,000 depending on the length of the programme. They also provide free after care if you end up relapsing.
What are the costs involved?
The costs vary greatly as it depends on your specific plan, the length of time you are staying, and the location you are in. You could be paying up to and over $30,000 for 60 days treatment. There are programs which are cheaper at around $10,000 to $12,000 also.
How long does treatment take?
As with any type of rehabilitation treatment, the amount of time you stay in the clinic is entirely up to you and how you progress. Usually, the time recommended is 30 days to 90 days. It also highly depends on what you are recovering from.
If you have been taking drugs, the detox time itself may take up to 20 to 30 days to get all the toxins out of your body. Your program may therefore last longer than for alcoholics, as alcohol leaves the system faster through detox.
Does it actually work?
Holistic massage therapy on its own will not help a person recover from addiction. It will help them relax and calm their mind, but other treatment is needed alongside this. There is no evidence to prove that massage therapy works on its own.
Most clinics, which are noted above, offer this type of treatment along with extensive counselling, therapy, group meetings, family counselling, and much more. Addicts need to discuss how they are feeling, and counsellors need to find out what the root of their addiction is. They cannot do this through massage therapy itself, as most people do not talk here.
Once it in included as part of a fuller program, it does have healing qualities on the patients. For patients who are having problems sleeping, this type of therapy helps as it releases endorphins, relaxes the mind, and helps the patient think clearer. Because they achieve a level of calmness, they sleep better at night.
Talking through problems is an important part of recovery. It is necessary to talk to your family and be able to understand why the addiction started and how to be able to prevent it in future.
Holistic massage therapy is offered practically in most rehab facilities to help patients relax and stay calm. It helps in eliminating stress and relaxing the muscles. It is not offered as a stand-alone rehab practice since there is no supporting evidence that this type of therapy works completely on its own. It is incorporated into a program along with other types of therapies to help the patients get in touch with their mind and body. All this combined will achieve greater results and help the patient to stay sober after leaving treatment.