| Massage affects the body as a whole. To understand how massage works, some of the physiological effects of massage need to be briefly examined.
Massage is known to increase the circulation of the blood and the lymph. The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically applied pressure and stretching (as done in massage) can dramatically increase the rate of blood flow. Also, the stimulation of nerve receptors causes the blood vessels (by reflex action) to dilate.
A milky white fluid called lymph carries impurities and waste fluids away from the tissues and passes through gland-like structures spaced throughout the lymphatic system that act as filtering valves. The lymph does not circulate as the blood does, so its movement depends largely on the squeezing effect of muscle contractions. Therefore, inactive people fail to stimulate lymph circulation. On the other hand, the stimulation caused by vigorous activity can be outstripped by the increased waste produced by that activity. Massage can aid the movement of lymph dramatically in either case.
For the whole body to be healthy, the sum of its parts-the cells-must be healthy. The individual cells of the body are dependent on an abundant supply of blood and lymph because these fluids supply nutrients and oxygen and carry away wastes and toxins. So, it is easy to understand why good circulation is so important and why massage can be so beneficial for the entire body due to its effect on circulation alone.
This primary effect of massage on the circulatory systems has a number of specific physiological effects on body organs and systems, including;
Musculatory
Massage improves muscle tone, loosening contracted, shortened muscles and stimulating weak, flaccid muscles. This muscle balancing can help posture and can provide for more efficient movement, reduced tension and cramping. Massage does not increase muscle strength, but it can promote recovery from the fatigue that occurs after exercise. In this way, it can be possible to do more exercise, which may in the long run strengthen muscles.
Digestive and Excretory Systems
In addition to mechanically aiding peristalic alimentary canal movement, massage is accepted to increase the body's secretions and excretions. Increased production of gastric juice, saliva, and urine, and increased excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and sodium chloride (salt) suggest that the metabolic rate (the utilisation of absorbed material by the body cells) increases.
Nervous System.
Dependent upon the individual client, a professional massage therapist can utilise a range of vigorous techniques to stimulate the client, or more sedatory techniques to aid relaxation. This results in a balance improvement of the autonomic nervous system, and enhanced tonus through its effect on the neuromuscular reflex pathways.
Integumentary (Skin)
Massage enhances general skin condition by directly improving the function of the sebaceous (oil) and eccrine (sweat) glands which keep the skin lubricated, clean and cool. Improved circulation encourages nutritional supply, and furthermore the oil used in the massage is absorbed, particularly helping tough, inflexible skin become soft and more supple.
Internal Organs
By directly and/or indirectly stimulating nerves that supply internal organs, blood vessels supplying these organs dilate and allow greater blood supply to them, improving their operating efficiencies.
Massage for Life
Understanding these physiological effects of massage makes it possible to better understand the health and fitness benefits of massage. What takes place under a massage therapist's hands has profound importance for those interested in health and physical fitness; in tuning their bodies. In every sport or form of exercise, massage can help improve performance, increase endurance, and lower fatigue levels. By reducing fatigue, massage enables the athlete to train better-with longer, more effective workouts. The people of ancient Mediterranean civilisations knew this. After bathing and exercise, they included a full body massage. The ancients understood that education involves equal development of mind and body. The current interest in physical fitness, holistic health, wellness and human potential represents a bid to revive a time-honoured philosophy.
For most people embarking on a fitness program, often the spirit is willing but the flesh is not. When regular exercise is begun almost every part of the body changes. Of interest to massage therapists is the way blood vessels become more intricate in order to meet the demand for more oxygen,
to supply more nutrients, to permit more elimination.
This takes time. While the muscles are getting into shape, they have trouble getting enough oxygen and nutrients, and wastes back up and stagnate. Unfortunately, many sophisticated exercise programs regard aches and pains as the inevitable price to be paid. This is simply not true because massage can be used as the Greeks used it: to increase endurance and to control fatigue.
| | Massage acts to disperse the accumulated by-products of muscle action that irritate muscles. Lactic and carbonic acids surround muscle tissue shortly after exercise begins. These acids are waste products that c ausitatively contribute to the pain and occasional cramping that exercisers, athletes, dancers, etc. suffer after workouts. They are formed when the glycogen stored in the liver and muscles is anaerobically consumed to produce the energy expended during exercise. The acids must be reconverted to glycogen and stored again, or drained out via the lymph and circulatory systems. Pain persists until this process of reconverting or excreting is completed. Massage can help eliminate the irritation caused by these wastes by stimulating the metabolic process, thus increasing muscle recovery rates. When massage has been substituted for rest, an increase in muscle recovery has been recorded. That is why boxers are massaged in their corners between rounds rather than simply rested.
Joints are critical to exercise because it is the muscles moving the joints that produce movement. All joints are complicated, and their parts have a way of settling and stiffening when not used. A sluggish, numbed feeling in the joints discourages exercise. Massage counteracts this by increasing blood supply to the joints, by releasing muscle tension that can bind them, and by passively moving them. Massage also aids in recovery from injuries such as sprains, strains, and fractures. This is possible because the growth and recovery of tissue is accelerated by efficient circulation in the injured areas. Thus, massage helps bridge the gap between common neglect of injury and major medical intervention. Of course the mechanical contact of massage prevents it's application for some time after incurrence of the injury, dependent upon the severity of the injury.
Increased health consciousness complements increased nutrition consciousness. The most carefully planned diet is wasted if blood vessels are not developed and open. Massage can boost internal nutrition rates by improving circulation.
The relationship of stress and illness is of interest to anyone maintaining their health. We all have stress in our daily lives relating to work, family, environment, society. Mental tensions, frustrations, and insecurity are among the most damaging. Stress causes the release of hormones that create vasoconstriction - vessel shrinking - and so reduced circulation. Affected by stress, the heart works harder, breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and digestion slows. Every body process is degraded. Psychosomatic studies show how stress factors can cause migraines, peptic ulcers, hypertension, depression, etc. Soothing and relaxing massage can help by counteracting stress effects.
Massage has a definite psychological effect. Since massage animates the tactile sense, the body's primary sense, it brings people into the here and now and away from tension generated by constant preoccupation with problems. Also, loosening of muscle tension or armouring can lead to freeing of repressed emotions.
Confidence comes from within, if you think positively about yourself and are mentally and physically prepared you will succeed. 100% input from yourself will achieve results. 99% will take the edge off your confidence and ultimately your mental attitude. In other words if you want to achieve something you should put everything into it. The psychological effects of a therapeutic massage enhances the users positivity, mental and physical being, and can therefore have a profound benefit.
Users of massage as a healing tool realise quickly that they have found a form of drugless therapy. Headaches, insomnia, constipation, and minor aches and pains often respond. Massage can have a spectacular effect on nervous people who have been dependent on their pharmacy for rest and relaxation.
Simply stated, the foundation stone of the therapeutic effect of massage is what Hypocrites defined as "vis medicatrix naturae", or the body's innate recuperative powers; the life force. The theories of therapeutic massage are scientific in character, but the actual application of these theories is an Art, for it involves the healing sense, sensitivity of touch, insight, and intuition. It is a unique way of communicating without words, of sharing energy, of enjoying pleasurable relaxation, and of experiencing peace of mind. Massage is often attributed to having ethereal spiritual effects akin to those of meditation.
The past ten years or so have seen a proliferation of different terms, title, and systems of massage such as: Therapeutic, Holistic, Swedish, Body Work, Oriental, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Esalen, Reichian, Polarity, Reflexology, etc. To enjoy the benefits of massage which have been discussed, it is best to receive a therapeutic massage from a practitioner who has blended a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and massage technique with a sensitive, powerful touch and the healing sense. Compare the abilities and your preferences of the therapists available to you. Different clients prefer different approaches and techniques, making the right choice of therapist will make a significant difference to the effectiveness of the massage you receive.
| |