Menopause is often associated with hot flushes and night sweats, but for many women, the psychological symptoms can be just as challenging. Anxiety, overwhelm, low mood, brain fog and feeling unlike yourself are incredibly common, yet they can often be overlooked.

 

As both a massage therapist and physiotherapist, I’ve seen first-hand the difference massage can make for women navigating this stage of life. During the final year of my MSc in Physiotherapy, I decided to explore this in more depth through my dissertation.

 

 

My dissertation, “Lived Experiences of Massage Therapy for Treating the Psychological Symptoms of Menopause: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis,” explored how women experienced massage therapy while living with the psychological effects of perimenopause and menopause.

 

Rather than focusing on numbers or statistics, I chose qualitative research to understand real women’s experiences. I interviewed seven women who had used massage therapy while experiencing menopausal symptoms, allowing them to share, in their own words, how massage had impacted their wellbeing.

 

Four key themes emerged from the research:

 

 

 

Every participant described massage therapy as a valuable part of managing their menopausal symptoms.

 

One of the strongest findings was the impact massage had on anxiety, with participants reporting feeling calmer, more balanced and better able to cope after treatment.

 

Other important findings included:

 

 

 

One of the most interesting findings wasn’t simply that massage helped—it was why.

 

Participants spoke not only about the physical treatment itself, but also about feeling listened to, cared for and given uninterrupted time to focus on themselves. The therapeutic environment mattered too, with factors such as lighting, privacy and feeling safe all contributing to the overall experience.

 

These “soft skills” are sometimes underestimated, yet they formed an important part of why massage felt so beneficial.

 

 

The research also highlighted an important message for healthcare professionals.

 

Menopause is far more than a collection of symptoms. It is a complex, whole-body experience that can affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, work and confidence.

 

Massage therapy should not be viewed as a replacement for medical care where it is needed. Instead, it can form part of a holistic approach to menopause, alongside lifestyle changes, exercise, nutrition, psychological support and, where appropriate, medical treatments such as HRT.

 

While non-pharmaceutical approaches like massage are becoming increasingly popular, more research is still needed to better understand their role in supporting women through menopause.

 

 

I was honoured to present these findings at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Annual Conference in 2023, helping to raise awareness of the role massage therapy can play in supporting women’s health.

 

 

At Bloom, we understand that menopause affects every woman differently. Whether you’re experiencing tension, anxiety, poor sleep or simply feeling exhausted, massage offers dedicated time to slow down, reconnect with your body and support your overall wellbeing.

 

If you’re curious about whether massage could help you during perimenopause or menopause, we’d love to chat and help you find the treatment that’s right for you.

 

If you’re interested in reading the full dissertation or would like to learn more about the research, please get in touch.