Endorphins

Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body which make us feel good. They have been compared to the effect of opiates and are produced in reponse to certain stimulus such as exercise, acupuncture, acupressure and general massage, eating chocolate (dark) and sex to name but a few. Bet thats got your attention!! Endorphins are designed to elicit as a slight addictive response in the body and mind and make you want more of whatever causes their release. From a physiotherapy point of view we would focus on exercise, acupuncture and massage all of which have this pleasant side effect, which in exercise encourages you to continue, in acupuncture endorphins promote relaxation and a feeling of uphoria and similarly in massage. The effect can depend on the emotional state of the individual at the time in regard to the extent of the reaction