Massage Therapy:
Whole-Person Healing in Recovery

Discover the deep benefits of massage therapy and how New Life Recovery’s holistic treatment can help you achieve lasting wellness.

Table of Contents

How Massage Therapy Supports Recovery

Massage therapy is more than just a way to relax—it’s a powerful tool for healing the mind, body, and spirit. At New Life Recovery, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms of substance addiction or mental health challenges.

That’s why massage therapy is a core part of our holistic treatment approach. Whether you’re recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) or working through trauma, massage therapy can help you find balance, reduce stress, and rebuild your life.
Our motto, “Love Your Life,” reflects our commitment to helping you rediscover joy and purpose. By combining massage therapy with evidence-based treatments, we create a recovery plan that works for your unique needs.
massage therapy

The Science of Massage Therapy: How It Works

Massage therapy isn’t just about feeling good—it’s a scientifically supported tool for healing the overall body. At New Life Recovery, we use massage therapy as part of our holistic approach to recovery, helping clients heal physically and emotionally.
Massage therapy works by:

Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System

When you receive a massage therapy session, your body’s parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is activated.
This part of your nervous system is responsible for rest, relaxation, and recovery:1
  • What Happens: The PNS slows your heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and promotes a sense of calm. This is the opposite of the “fight or flight” response triggered by stress.
  • Why It Matters: For individuals in recovery, activating the PNS is crucial. It helps reduce the physical and emotional stress that often accompanies SUD and mental health challenges.

Reducing Stress Hormones

Stress is a major barrier to recovery, and massage therapy has been shown to help through:2
  • Cortisol Reduction: Cortisol is the primary stress hormone, and high levels are linked to anxiety, depression, and cravings. Studies confirm that massage therapy can lower cortisol levels by an average of 31%.
  • Real-Life Impact: For example, a client struggling with anxiety might find that regular massage therapy sessions help them feel calmer and more in control, reducing the urge to turn to substances for relief.
At New Life Recovery, we use massage therapy to help clients manage stress and create a foundation for long-term healing.

Boosting Feel-Good Chemicals

Massage therapy doesn’t just reduce stress. It also boosts chemicals that enhance mood, including:
  • Serotonin and Dopamine: These neurotransmitters play key roles in mood regulation and reducing cravings. Research shows that massage therapy can increase serotonin levels by an average of 28% and dopamine levels by 31%.
  • Real-Life Impact: This natural boost can help replace the artificial highs of substances with healthier, more sustainable sources of pleasure for someone in recovery.
Our motto, “Love Your Life,” reflects this idea. Massage therapy helps clients rediscover joy in everyday activities by rewiring their brains’ reward systems.

Improving Physical Health

The physical benefits of massage therapy are just as important as the emotional ones, especially during recovery.
These include:
  • Improved Circulation: Massage therapy increases blood flow, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing toxins. This process supports detoxification during recovery.3
  • Muscle Relaxation: Many clients experience muscle tension during withdrawal. Massage therapy alleviates this discomfort by relaxing muscles and reducing inflammation.4
  • Pain Relief: Studies indicate that massage can reduce chronic pain levels significantly, making it a natural alternative to painkillers.5
At New Life Recovery, clients have used massage therapy to ease physical symptoms, improve mobility, and feel more comfortable in their bodies.

Supporting Emotional Healing

Massage therapy also plays a key role in emotional recovery, helping with:6
  • Trauma Processing: For clients with a history of trauma, massage therapy provides a safe way to reconnect with their bodies and process emotions.
  • Mindfulness: The hands-on nature of massage encourages clients to focus on the present moment, promoting mindfulness and emotional regulation.
  • Better Sleep: Massage therapy has been shown to improve sleep quality significantly, helping clients feel more rested and resilient during recovery.

Why Choose New Life Recovery for Massage Therapy?

At New Life Recovery, we complement our massage therapy treatment with our:
  • Licensed Therapists: Our team includes licensed therapists trained in both massage therapy and SUD recovery.
  • Personalized Plans: Each session is tailored to your unique needs.
  • Holistic Integration: Massage works alongside traditional therapies to create a comprehensive treatment plan.
By reducing stress hormones like cortisol, boosting serotonin and dopamine levels, improving physical health, and supporting emotional healing, massage therapy is essential in helping clients rediscover joy in life, on their terms.

Exploring the Different Types of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all—different techniques offer unique benefits tailored to individual needs. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, pain relief, or emotional healing, exploring the various types of massage therapy can help you find the perfect fit for your recovery journey.

Swedish Massage: Gentle Relaxation for Stress Relief

For good reason, Swedish massage is one of the most popular forms of massage therapy. It’s gentle, relaxing, and perfect for reducing stress:
  • How It Helps: This massage therapy uses long, flowing strokes to ease muscle tension and promote relaxation.
  • Why It’s Great for Recovery: Swedish massage is ideal for clients who are new to massage therapy or who need a calming experience during detox or early recovery.

Deep Tissue Massage: Relieving Chronic Pain and Tension

For those dealing with chronic pain or deep muscle tension, deep tissue massage is a game-changer:
  • How It Works: This type of massage therapy targets deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, helping to relieve pain and stiffness.
  • Why It’s Great for Recovery: Many people in recovery experience physical discomfort, especially during withdrawal. Deep tissue massage can help ease these symptoms and improve mobility.
Therapists often use deep tissue massage to help clients feel more comfortable and supported throughout their recovery journey.

Reflexology: Healing Through Pressure Points

Reflexology is a unique form of massage therapy focusing on pressure points in the feet, hands, and ears:
  • How It Works: By applying pressure to specific points, reflexology promotes healing throughout the body.
  • Why It’s Great for Recovery: Reflexology is especially helpful for clients who prefer a non-invasive approach to healing. It can also improve energy levels and reduce stress.
Reflexology is often offered as part of our holistic treatment options. It’s a great way to support overall well-being and balance.

Aromatherapy Massage: Boosting Mood with Essential Oils

Aromatherapy massage combines the benefits of massage therapy with the healing power of essential oils:
  • How It Works: During the massage, essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus enhance relaxation and improve mood.
  • Why It’s Great for Recovery: Aromatherapy massage is perfect for clients who are working through anxiety, depression, or trauma. The soothing scents can help calm the mind and promote emotional healing.
Aromatherapy massage creates a calming, uplifting experience for clients.

Thai Massage and Shiatsu: Energy-Based Healing

Thai massage and Shiatsu are energy-based forms of massage therapy that focus on balancing the body’s energy:
  • How It Works: These techniques promote balance and grounding by stretching, pressure, and movement.
  • Why It’s Great for Recovery: Thai massage and Shiatsu are ideal for clients who want to feel more connected to their bodies and improve their energy flow.
These energy-based therapies help clients feel more centered and balanced.

How Massage Therapy Fits into Your Recovery Plan

At New Life Recovery, massage therapy is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.
Massage therapy:

Combines with Traditional Therapies

Massage therapy works seamlessly alongside traditional therapies. While these therapies help clients reframe negative thought patterns and build healthy coping skills, massage therapy provides a physical outlet for relaxation and emotional processing.
This combination allows clients to address both the psychological and physical aspects of recovery.

Supports Medical Detox

During detox, clients often experience physical discomfort, such as muscle pain, headaches, and tension. Massage therapy can help ease these symptoms, making the detox process more manageable. It also reduces stress, which is crucial during this challenging phase of recovery.

Integrates with Trauma-Informed Care

For clients dealing with trauma, massage therapy complements trauma-focused therapies.
By promoting relaxation and helping clients reconnect with their bodies, massage therapy supports the healing of emotional wounds in a safe, non-invasive way.

Our team at New Life Recovery is trained to integrate massage therapy with other treatments, ensuring a holistic approach that maximizes recovery outcomes.

Combines with Other Holistic Practices

Massage therapy is even more effective when combined with other holistic practices offered at New Life Recovery, including:
  • Yoga and Meditation: These practices help clients stay grounded and focused, while massage therapy promotes deep relaxation and healing. Together, they create a powerful combination for reducing stress and improving emotional regulation.
  • Cold Plunge and Infrared Sauna: These therapies work alongside massage therapy to promote physical healing and detoxification. Cold plunge therapy reduces inflammation, while infrared sauna sessions help release toxins and improve circulation.
  • Fitness and Nutritional Support: Physical fitness programs and nutritional counseling are key components of our holistic approach. Massage therapy helps clients recover from physical activity, while proper nutrition supports overall well-being.
At New Life Recovery, we offer a wide range of holistic treatments that work together to support your recovery journey.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Every client at New Life Recovery receives a personalized treatment plan that includes massage therapy and other services that are:
  • Tailored to Your Needs: Whether you need gentle relaxation with Swedish massage or deeper work with deep tissue massage, our licensed therapists will create a plan that’s right for you. We also consider your mental health needs, ensuring that we complement your treatment goals.
  • Supportive of Long-Term Recovery: Massage therapy is one of the many tools we use to help you build a healthier, happier life. We provide a comprehensive approach that supports long-term recovery by integrating it with other therapies and holistic practices.
  • Family Involved:  We also offer family therapy and support, helping loved ones understand the recovery process and how massage therapy and other treatments contribute to healing.
massage therapy

Whole-Person Healing at New Life Recovery

In addition to massage therapy, New Life Recovery offers a variety of evidence-based and holistic treatments to support your recovery journey, such as:
  • Art and Music Therapy: These creative therapies provide alternative ways to express emotions and process trauma, complementing the physical relaxation of massage therapy.
  • Outdoor Adventure Therapy: Activities like hiking and outdoor exploration help clients reconnect with nature and build confidence, while massage therapy helps them recover physically.
  • Life Skills Development: We offer programs to help clients build essential life skills, such as financial management and communication, which are crucial for long-term success.
  • Vocational Training: For clients looking to rebuild their careers, we provide vocational training and support, helping them transition back into the workforce with confidence.

Why Choose New Life Recovery for Holistic Healing

At New Life Recovery, we combine evidence-based therapies with holistic practices like massage therapy. We treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit, and our treatments are backed by science and designed to help you heal.
We also provide:

Licensed and Experienced Therapists

Our Fresno, California team includes licensed therapists trained in SUD recovery and massage therapy. With us, you can expect:
  • Expert Care: You’ll receive the highest quality care from professionals who understand your needs.
  • Compassionate Support: We’re here to help you every step of the way.

A Supportive Recovery Environment

Our all-in-one campus provides a safe, supportive space for healing.
  • All Levels of Care: From detox to outpatient services, we offer everything you need in one place.
  • Holistic Treatments: Massage therapy, yoga, meditation, and more are all part of your recovery journey.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy: A Recap

Massage therapy is a powerful tool for recovery. It helps reduce stress, ease physical discomfort, and promote emotional healing. At New Life Recovery, we use massage therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to help you build a brighter future.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

If you’re ready to start your recovery journey, New Life Recovery is here to help. Reach out online to learn more about our programs and how massage therapy can support your healing.

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