Benefits of massage

 
 

Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Chinese records date back 3,000 years. Ancient Egyptians, Hindus, and Persians all used applied forms of massage for various ailments. Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today, the benefits of massage are varied and far-reaching. Massage therapy is used in many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial for a variety of chronic conditions, including arthritis, bursitis, depression, diabetes, fatigue, high blood pressure, immune suppression, infertility, low back pain, smoking cessation, and more. Massage is so effective because it affects all of the systems of the body in a non-invasive manner.

 
 

Benefits of Massage on the

Integumentary System (skin)

  • Aids in vitality and elasticity of skin
  • Aids in elimination of dead cells
  • Sends messages to the brain through sensory receptors in skin to aid in relaxation of entire body
  • Stimulates sebaceous glands
  • Increases circulation
  • Increases scar tissue mobility

Benefits of Massage on the

SKELETAL SYSTEM

  • Increases blood circulation which nourishes skeletal cells
  • Improves muscular balance and thus skeleton alignment
  • Exercises joints through range of motion
  • Aids circulation in area of a fracture without producing motion in the fragments; aids in healing of surrounding affected tissue
  • Aids functional efficiency in terms of structural support/posture
  • Prevents adhesions from forming and can break down adhesions
 
 

Benefits of Massage on the

MUSCULAR SYSTEM

  • Increases blood and nutrition without adding to the load of lactic acid
  • Decreases lactic acid, causing muscles fatigued by this to be restored sooner
  • Reduces fibrosis or adhesions in immobilized or injured muscles
  • Creates a more mobile scar and helps restore muscles to original condition after injury
  • Causes relaxation of voluntary muscles
  • Breaks up adhesions and scar tissue
  • Relaxes muscle spasms (sudden involuntary muscle contractions) and relieves tension in the muscles
  • Aids structural alignment by relaxing over-contracted muscles which can put bones out of balance

Benefits of Massage on the

nervous SYSTEM

  • Brings about invigorating effects to the entire nervous system due to improved circulation and nutrition
  • Relaxes or stimulates nerves, depending on the type of treatment
  • Releases nerves trapped by soft tissue
  • Releases spasms of tissue surrounding the spinal cord which can take the strain off nerves
  • Can be effective in pain control by effecting the release of secretions, such as endorphins
 
 

Benefits of Massage on the

Circulatory SYSTEM

  • Stimulates circulation and promotes substance exchange between the cells
  • Aids in reducing the venous fluid back toward the heart
  • Dilates blood vessels which can decrease blood pressure
  • Causes contractions of the heart to be more forceful and complete
  • Stimulates blood through the heart faster, thereby getting blood and nutrients to the cells faster
  • Has a normalizing effect on the ANS (Autonomic Nervous System), which is beneficial to the heart
  • Improves general circulation, as blood passes more rapidly through tissue being massaged

Benefits of Massage on the

Lymphatic SYSTEM

  • Assists flow of lymph throughout the body assisting the immune system to prevent disease
  • Aids in reducing edema
 
 

Benefits of Massage on the

Digestive SYSTEM

  • Indirectly normalizes digestive functions through normalizing the ANS (Autonomic Nervous System)
  • Improves tone of large and small intestines
  • Stimulates peristalsis, which can aid in relief of constipation and/or diarrhea
  • Stimulates digestion
  • Improves mixing actions
  • Stimulates small intestines, which can aid in the absorption of fat

Benefits of Massage on the

Endocrine SYSTEM

  • Increases general circulation in endocrine system and thus helps in transport of hormones
  • Indirectly aids immune system, as some hormones produce lymphocytes to aid in immunization
  • Normalizes endocrine activity through balancing effect on ANS (Autonomic Nervous System)
 
 

Benefits of Massage on the

Respiratory SYSTEM

  • Normalizes breathing through balancing effect on ANS
  • Encourages deeper breathing and a more complete breath through relaxing effect of massage
  • Loosens intercostal muscles and frees rib cage, allowing greater chest expansion
  • Releases congestion and aid in lowering blood pressure
  • Generates heat to raise temperature and respiratory rate