It was not important whether the massage pressure was soft or moderate / UfaBizPhoto/shutterstock
Spending quality time at a spa chilling out and having treatments is an ideal way to unwind, however, many people struggle to schedule a whole morning or afternoon to themselves. A new study from the University of Konstanz in Germany has suggested that there could be a quicker way to relax. It’s found that 10 minutes of massage or rest can boost the body’s principal engine for relaxation – the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) – and lead to a reduction in perceived mental stress.
Physical and psychological The research involved 60 female participants who were split into three groups of 20 and randomly assigned to a 10-minute relaxation intervention, either a vagus nerve massage or a soft shoulder massage, or a seated resting control scenario.
The vagus nerve massage focused on the head and neck and involved applying moderate pressure to the vagus nerve – which activates the PNS. The neck-and-shoulder massage used soft stroking movements designed to examine whether just touch can also be relaxing.
Psychological relaxation was measured by asking participants to describe how relaxed or stressed they felt before and after the intervention, using a questionnaire.
Physiological relaxation was gauged by monitoring participants’ heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). The researchers say this is an indication of how the PNS responds to changes in the environment: the higher the HRV, the more relaxed the body is.
The women in all three groups (even those resting) experienced a reduction in both psychological stress, saying they felt more relaxed compared to before.
Moreover, all participants showed significant HRV increases, which demonstrates that the PNS, the body’s natural stress-reducer, was activated by the massages, and additionally, that the body physiologically relaxes just by resting alone. However, the physiological effect was more pronounced when participants received a massage.
Researchers noted that it was not important whether the massage was soft or moderate, but that tactile contact in general seemed to improve the relaxation of the body.
Next steps According to researchers, the discovery that massage is effective on the level of both psychology and physiology via the PNS will help pave the way for future studies on understanding the role of relaxation on stress.
“Massage, being such a commonly used relaxation therapy, was our first study,” says Maria Meier, study first author and doctoral student in the lab of Neuropsychology at Konstanz. “Our next step is to test if other short interventions, like breathing exercises and meditation, show similar results.”
Called Standardized massage interventions as protocols for the induction of psychophysiological relaxation in the laboratory, the study was published in the journal Scientific Reports in September.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
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Interview: Luisa Anderson
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Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
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Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
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The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
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designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
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It was not important whether the massage pressure was soft or moderate / UfaBizPhoto/shutterstock
Spending quality time at a spa chilling out and having treatments is an ideal way to unwind, however, many people struggle to schedule a whole morning or afternoon to themselves. A new study from the University of Konstanz in Germany has suggested that there could be a quicker way to relax. It’s found that 10 minutes of massage or rest can boost the body’s principal engine for relaxation – the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) – and lead to a reduction in perceived mental stress.
Physical and psychological The research involved 60 female participants who were split into three groups of 20 and randomly assigned to a 10-minute relaxation intervention, either a vagus nerve massage or a soft shoulder massage, or a seated resting control scenario.
The vagus nerve massage focused on the head and neck and involved applying moderate pressure to the vagus nerve – which activates the PNS. The neck-and-shoulder massage used soft stroking movements designed to examine whether just touch can also be relaxing.
Psychological relaxation was measured by asking participants to describe how relaxed or stressed they felt before and after the intervention, using a questionnaire.
Physiological relaxation was gauged by monitoring participants’ heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). The researchers say this is an indication of how the PNS responds to changes in the environment: the higher the HRV, the more relaxed the body is.
The women in all three groups (even those resting) experienced a reduction in both psychological stress, saying they felt more relaxed compared to before.
Moreover, all participants showed significant HRV increases, which demonstrates that the PNS, the body’s natural stress-reducer, was activated by the massages, and additionally, that the body physiologically relaxes just by resting alone. However, the physiological effect was more pronounced when participants received a massage.
Researchers noted that it was not important whether the massage was soft or moderate, but that tactile contact in general seemed to improve the relaxation of the body.
Next steps According to researchers, the discovery that massage is effective on the level of both psychology and physiology via the PNS will help pave the way for future studies on understanding the role of relaxation on stress.
“Massage, being such a commonly used relaxation therapy, was our first study,” says Maria Meier, study first author and doctoral student in the lab of Neuropsychology at Konstanz. “Our next step is to test if other short interventions, like breathing exercises and meditation, show similar results.”
Called Standardized massage interventions as protocols for the induction of psychophysiological relaxation in the laboratory, the study was published in the journal Scientific Reports in September.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 4
Editor's letter: Nurturing mental health
It’s time for spas re-evaluate their mental wellness approach to help governments and society to tackle the escalating mental health crisis says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Dr Narinthorn Surasinthon
RAKxa Jai, a cutting-edge medi-wellness spa, has opened in partnership with Bumrungrad International Hospital and Minor Hotels in Bangkok. Spa Business talks to its COO
Spa people: Isabelle Duchesneau
The executive director of Québec's Le Monastère Augustines explains why its priority of serving caretakers is more relevant today than ever
Spa people: Michael Banissy
The world's largest study on touch uncovers the role it plays in our health and wellbeing. Spa Business talks to the lead researcher
Interview: Krip Rojanastien
Chiva-Som’s CEO talks to Spa Business magazine about guiding the destination spa through COVID-19 and its first contract management project in Qatar
Ask an expert: Corridors of power
What will it take to make politicians realise the value of spas? Spa Business magazine asks those in government and others who’ve made inroads
Promotion: Artofcryo: Cold Calling
Artofcryo.com aims to offer the best whole-body cryotherapy chambers as well as a complete, reliable and effective solution for operators and results for guests
Promotion: ISPA: Lead, inform, inspire
Lead, Inform, Inspire. It’s been quite a year for ISPA, with its firm commitment to supporting members through the pandemic, as president, Lynne McNees explains
Interview: Mark Hennebry
Ensana’s chair tells Spa Business magazine about its landmark development, Buxton Crescent, one of the only genuine spa hotels in the UK
Promotion: Lemi: Creating the dream team
This year leading Italian supplier Lemi launched three new spa solutions, and ventured into the creation of signature treatments for the first time. General manager Matteo Brusaferri explains why he sees this as the way forward to help spas maximise their investment
Interview: Luisa Anderson
A Longevity Garden and inner healing room are just two of the extra special features at the new Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali, says its regional spa director
Promotion: Biologique Recherche
Skincare specialist, Biologique Recherche, is using its knowledge of chronobiology to create new approaches to skincare which yield powerful results
Event review: Global Wellness Summit 2020
This year’s Global Wellness Summit saw two US surgeon generals, leading spa stakeholders and wellness professionals look towards the role they have to play following the global pandemic. Spa Business magazine gives its highlights
Research: Matter of minds
A new study is the first to define and put a value on the global mental wellness industry – estimating it to be worth US$121bn. But what does this mean for spas?
Sponsored briefing: Starpool: Cargo-tecture
During lockdown, Riccardo Turri, CEO of Starpool, was inspired to create a whole new category of product, based on recycled containers. The result is the new i.con spa brand, which fuses luxury, wellness, recycling and design
Software: All booked up
Spa software suppliers take a look at 'big data' to reveal the booking trends they’ve seen since spas have reopened
Promotion: Voya: supporting spa partners
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Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of
total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth
in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real
Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional
dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social
connection.
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
