By Valerie Carsey, LMT
As a non-alcoholic drinker myself, I am thrilled about the growing wave of non-alcoholic beers, wines, and mocktails now available in stores and restaurants. (I have even accumulated quite the collection of these products at home!) These options seem to have exploded in popularity over the past six months and are now seemingly everywhere.
With the recent announcement from the Surgeon General advocating for cancer warning labels on alcohol products—highlighting risks such as mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, breast, liver, colon, and rectum cancers—there are clear benefits to going sober, even temporarily. Dry January and Sober October provide excellent opportunities for the sober-curious to explore life without alcohol.
In the first few days of not drinking, you might experience headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, irritability, or fatigue. However, after about a week, benefits such as better sleep, increased energy, and improved mood often start to emerge. Over time, you may notice additional perks like weight loss or improved skin quality.
While massage does not “detox” the body in the way some myths suggest, it can still offer valuable support during this period. By definition, toxins are poisons or venoms produced by organisms, and there is no scientific evidence (as of 2022) to suggest that massage releases toxins into the bloodstream. In fact, forceful deep tissue massage could release a byproduct of muscle tissue breakdown, which is not inherently harmful but is not the same as detoxification. Similar to how microtears from weightlifting encourage muscle growth, soft tissue manipulation can help release strain patterns and promote healing.
Massage, however, can provide tangible benefits. For example:
· Mood improvement: Massage can help ease irritability and promote relaxation.
· Gastrointestinal relief: Abdominal massage may alleviate issues like constipation.
· Headache reduction: CranioSacral therapy can relieve brain fog and headache symptoms.
· Water retention management: Manual lymphatic drainage can help reduce swelling and promote circulation.
If you’re ready to explore the non-alcoholic lifestyle, consider pairing your journey with a massage to support your overall health and wellness. Cheers to a healthier, happier you!
Edited by AI
References
-Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Services, “Alcohol and Cancer Risk”, https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/alcohol-cancer/index.html
-Marielle Segarra, Clare Marie Schneider, Malala Gharib, NPR, “Curious about Dry January? What to expect -and how it works”, December 28, 2024 https://www.npr.org/2024/12/28/g-s1-38633/curious-about-dry-january-what-to-expect-how-it-works
-Martha Brown Menarad, PhD, LMT, AMTA, “Myths, Massage and Research”, Publications and Research / Massage Therapy Journal, February 1, 2022, https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/myths-in-massage-research/
Valerie Carsey, LLC 