THE IMPACT OF MANUAL WELLNESS THERAPIES AND BODY MASSAGE - А STRESS RELIEF EFFECT

This study investigates the physiological effects of manual wellness therapies, specifically body massage, on stress reduction in adults experiencing chronic stress. Through a randomized controlled trial involving 120 participants, we measured key stress biomarkers—including cortisol levels, heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure—before and after a four-week massage intervention. The findings show statistically significant reductions in salivary cortisol and systolic blood pressure, alongside increased HRV among participants who received weekly massages. These results support the hypothesis that manual wellness therapies can serve as effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing physiological stress.