Hormones influence nearly every function in the body—mood, sleep, energy, stress, recovery, digestion, and even immune response. Among them, cortisol is the most closely linked to stress, inflammation, and burnout. For people juggling training schedules, long commutes, work stress, or chronic tension, cortisol levels often stay elevated for too long, pushing the body out of balance.
Regular massage has proven effects on cortisol reduction and broader hormonal regulation. It’s more than a feel-good therapy—it’s a system reset for the body’s internal chemistry.
Cortisol: The Stress Hormone That Doesn’t Switch Off
Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol is essential in short bursts. It helps with alertness, inflammation control, and energy mobilisation. But when stress is chronic—mental or physical—cortisol stays elevated.
High cortisol is linked to:
Fatigue and sleep disturbances
Weight gain (especially belly fat)
Anxiety and mood swings
Hormonal imbalances (affecting estrogen, testosterone, insulin)
Impaired recovery and immune function
Increased muscle breakdown and slower healing
Clients at Muscle Therapy By Tom in Slough often present with signs of systemic stress that aren’t always visible on the surface. Muscle tightness, poor sleep, and slow recovery are often rooted in hormonal overload—specifically elevated cortisol.
What Massage Does to Cortisol Levels
Studies have shown that just one session of massage can significantly reduce cortisol levels by 25% to 30%, with regular sessions creating longer-lasting effects. This reduction isn’t just psychological—saliva, blood, and urine samples confirm measurable changes post-treatment.
Massage works by:
Activating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode)
Reducing sympathetic nervous activity (fight-or-flight response)
Slowing heart rate and lowering blood pressure
Encouraging deeper breathing and lymphatic drainage
Promoting serotonin and dopamine release, which naturally suppress cortisol
These shifts allow cortisol to drop back to normal, helping the body repair, regulate, and restore itself.
Hormonal Rebalancing Beyond Cortisol
Massage doesn’t just reduce stress hormones—it positively affects others that are essential to recovery and well-being.
1. Serotonin
Linked to mood, digestion, and sleep, serotonin increases after massage. This helps with emotional regulation and supports melatonin production for better sleep cycles.
2. Dopamine
Boosted by massage, dopamine enhances motivation and reward-driven behaviour. It helps counter burnout and mental fatigue—common in overworked clients and athletes.
3. Oxytocin
The “bonding hormone” spikes after therapeutic touch. Oxytocin helps reduce blood pressure and promotes feelings of calm and connection. It’s particularly helpful for clients dealing with social stress or anxiety.
4. Testosterone & Estrogen Balance
In high-stress environments, both testosterone and estrogen can become suppressed. By lowering cortisol, massage helps re-stabilise the body’s natural hormone production, especially in clients experiencing overtraining, low libido, or irregular cycles.
Regular Massage: Frequency Matters
One massage may feel good, but consistent treatment is where hormonal regulation really stabilises. At Muscle Therapy By Tom, clients in Slough see the best results with:
Weekly or bi-weekly sessions during periods of high stress or training
Monthly sessions for maintenance, hormonal support, and prevention
Tailored protocols for those with burnout, sleep issues, or emotional tension
Tom focuses on muscle release techniques, nervous system downregulation, and breathing integration—maximising the hormonal benefits of each treatment.
Ideal for Clients Experiencing:
Poor quality sleep despite exhaustion
Irritability, low energy, or loss of motivation
Slow muscle recovery, frequent DOMS or burnout
Mood swings, anxiety, or post-gym fatigue
Irregular periods or low libido in active women
High-intensity gym schedules with minimal rest days
These signs may all point to one root cause—chronic cortisol elevation. Massage isn’t a luxury; it’s therapeutic intervention.
Muscle Therapy By Tom in The Gym Group Slough supports physical and hormonal health through science-based massage.
🔗 Book now at www.muscletherapybytom.co.uk
📍 Slough-based therapist helping clients feel balanced, energised, and stress-resilient.