As a massage therapist, knowledge of eating disorders (EDs) can be essential to understanding the psychological issues that can affect people seeking wellness. Eating disorders are mental illnesses characterized by unbalanced eating behaviours, often linked to deep-seated suffering. Understanding them helps practitioners offer an empathetic, caring and informed approach.
| Contents What is an eating disorder? The main types of eating disorders Other forms of eating disorders Treatments for eating disorders: a multidisciplinary approach Dealing with suffering in a caring way |
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders (EDs) are eating practices that are considered “abnormal” in relation to health and the natural regulation of bodily needs. They cause great psychological suffering and have serious consequences for the individual’s health, such as impaired quality of life and psychosocial functioning. These disorders manifest themselves in disturbed attitudes towards the body, weight and food. They can appear as early as childhood or adolescence, and mainly affect women, although they also affect men.
The origins of binge eating disorders are multifactorial, combining biological and genetic vulnerabilities, social triggers and stressful life events. Certain maintenance factors, such as psychological or relational benefits, also contribute to the grounding of these disorders. Some 4.8% to 9% of the world’s population is thought to be affected by various forms of binge eating disorder, of which anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are the most common.
The main types of eating disorders
EDs come in a variety of forms. Among the most common are :
- Anorexia nervosa: characterized by severe dietary restriction aimed at major weight loss, accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight despite apparent thinness. Anorexics alter their diet in a restrictive way (fasting, dieting) or engage in compensatory behaviors (excessive physical exercise, vomiting). This pathology entails serious physical and mental health risks, including cardiac complications and suicidal tendencies.
- Bulimia nervosa: Bulimia nervosa involves massive binges of food, accompanied by feelings of shame and loss of control. To counter the effects of these attacks, bulimics often resort to vomiting, laxatives or prolonged fasting. Although difficult to identify, bulimia causes great psychological suffering.
- Bulimic hyperphagia: This form of ED also involves binge eating, but without compensatory behaviours. People eat large quantities, sometimes without hunger, to the point of physical discomfort. This often leads to significant weight gain.
Other forms of EDs
Other lesser-known EDs include merycism (regurgitation and re-mastication of food), potomania (the need to drink large quantities of water or alcohol) and pica (ingestion of inedible substances). Although varied, these disorders all cause great distress to patients, requiring early and appropriate care.
EDs treatments: a multidisciplinary approach
The treatment of eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach. The general practitioner can be the first point of contact for assessing the situation and referring the patient to specialized care. Psychiatrists play a central role, working on the psychological causes of the disorder and coordinating care. Psychotherapy is often combined with nutritional support provided by a dietician, who helps the patient to re-establish a balanced and diversified diet. Depending on the severity of symptoms, hospitalization may be necessary, particularly in cases of severe undernutrition or life-threatening conditions.
In this context, massage therapy, as a complement, can provide significant support. It enables patients to reconnect positively with their bodies and experience the benefits of touch outside the dietary setting. According to Geri et al. (2019), manual therapies can be an effective way of improving body perception, enabling the brain to reorganize its mental representations.
Dealing with suffering with compassion
As a therapist, being aware of EDs and its impact on people’s well-being can promote holistic support. Sometimes developing insidiously, EDs often affects a person’s relationship with their body and food. Training in massage therapy offers practitioners a unique opportunity to work on body perception, helping individuals to reclaim their bodies in a positive way. Massage practitioners can thus be allies in the healing journey, relieving physical tension and fostering a space of acceptance and relaxation. Indeed, studies show that massage can help reduce symptoms related to eating, anxiety and depression (Fogarty et al., 2016; Vancampfort et al., 2013), making it a potential adjunct in the treatment of EDs.
To remember:
- Eating disorders (EDs) are mental illnesses caused by biological and social factors, leading to disturbed eating behavior and great suffering.
- The main EDs include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, each with serious health consequences. Other, rarer forms also exist.
- EDs are treated with psychological and nutritional support, sometimes hospitalized, to stabilize behavior and mental health.
- Massage therapy helps to reclaim the body in a positive way, relieving tension and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, offering complementary support.
Sources :
- American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5-TR.
- Geri, T., Viceconti, A., Minacci, M., Testa, M., & Rossettini, G. (2019). Manual therapy: Exploiting the role of human touch. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 44, 102044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2019.07.008
- Fogarty, S., Smith, C. A., & Hay, P. (2016). The role of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of eating disorders: A systematic review. Eating Behaviors, 21, 179-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.03.002
- Vancampfort, D., Vanderlinden, J., De Hert, M., Soundy, A., Adámkova, M., Skjaerven, L. H., Catalán-Matamoros, D., Gyllensten, A. L., Gómez-Conesa, A., & Probst, M. (2013). A systematic review of physical therapy interventions for patients with anorexia and bulemia nervosa. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36(8), 628-634. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2013.808271
