Health and Massage
Massage affects the body as a whole. To understand how massage therapy works, it is necessary to briefly examine some of the physiological effects of massage.
Massage is known to increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow. The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically applied manual pressure and motion used in massage can dramatically increase the rate of blood flow. In addition, stimulation of nerve receptors causes blood vessels (by reflex action) to dilate, which also facilitates blood flow.
A milky white fluid called lymph carries impurities and debris from the tissues and passes through gland-like structures spaced throughout the lymphatic system that act as filtering valves. Lymph does not circulate as blood does, so its movement is highly dependent on the compression effect of muscle contractions. Consequently, inactive people fail to stimulate lymphatic flow. On the other hand, the stimulation caused by vigorous activity may be outweighed by the increased waste produced by that activity. Massage can dramatically aid lymph movement in any case.
For the whole body to be healthy, the sum of its parts, the cells, must be healthy. The individual cells of the body depend on an abundant supply of blood and lymph because these fluids supply nutrients and oxygen and remove waste and toxins. So it's easy to understand why good circulation is so important to the whole body, due to its effect only on circulation.
Massage is also known for:
- Cause changes in the blood. The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase by 10-15% after massage.
- They affect the muscles of the whole body. Massage can help loosen contracted and shortened muscles and can stimulate weak and flabby muscles. This muscle "balance" can aid posture and promote more efficient movement. Massage does not directly increase muscle strength, but it can speed recovery from fatigue that occurs after exercise. In this way, it may be possible to get more exercise and training, which in the long run strengthens the muscles and improves conditioning. Massage also provides a gentle stretching action to both the muscles and the connective tissues that surround and support the muscles and many other parts of the body, helping to keep these tissues elastic.
- Increase body secretions and excretions. There is a proven increase in the production of gastric juices, saliva and urine after massage. There is also increased excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and sodium chloride (salt). This suggests that it increases the metabolic rate (the utilization of material absorbed by the cells of the body).
- Affects the nervous system. The massage balances the nervous system, relieving or stimulating it, depending on the effect that the individual needs at the time of the massage.
- Inprove skin's condition. The massage directly improves the function of the sebaceous (fat) and sweat glands that keep the skin lubricated, clean and fresh. Hard, inflexible skin can become softer and more flexible.
- It affects the internal organs. By indirectly stimulating the nerves that supply internal organs, the blood vessels of these organs dilate and allow a greater supply of blood.
Knowing the physiological effects of massage allows you to better understand the health and fitness benefits of massage. What happens under the hands of massage therapists is of great importance to those interested in health and fitness in fine-tuning their bodies. In all sports or forms of exercise, massage can help. By helping to reduce physiological fatigue and aiding recovery from the effort of exercising or playing, massage allows for better training, with longer and more effective workouts, thus facilitating better performance and preventing injuries.
The people of the ancient Mediterranean civilizations knew it. After the bath exercise, they included a full body massage. The ancients understood that education involves equitable development of the mind and body. The modern public's interest in physical fitness, holistic health, well-being, and human potential represents an attempt to revive a time-honored philosophy.
For most people who embark on a fitness program, often the spirit is willing, but the flesh is not. When you start regular exercise, almost every part of the body changes. It is of interest to massage therapists how the blood vessels become more intricate to meet the body's demand for more oxygen.