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Massage causes changes in the blood. The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after massage.
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Massage can help loosen contracted,
shortened muscles and can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles. This
muscle "balancing" can help posture and promote more
efficient movement.
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Massage does not directly increase muscle
strength, but it can speed recovery from the fatigue that
occurs after exercise. In this way, it can be possible to
do more exercise and training, which in the long run
strengthens muscles and improves conditioning.
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Massage also provides a gentle stretching
action to both the muscles and connective tissues that
surround and support the muscles and many other parts of the
body, which helps keep these tissues elastic.
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Massage increases the body's secretions and
excretions. There is increase in the production of gastric
juices, saliva, and urine. There is also increased
excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and sodium chloride
(salt). This suggests that the metabolic rate (the utilization
of absorbed material by the body's cells) increases.
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Massage balances the nervous system by soothing
or stimulating it, depending on which effect is needed by the individual
at the time of the massage.
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Massage enhances skin condition. Massage
directly improves the function of the sebaceous (oil) and
sweat glands which keep the skin lubricated, clean, cooled.
Tough, inflexible skin can become softer and more supple.
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Massage affects internal organs by indirectly or
directly stimulating nerves that supply internal organs,
blood vessels of these organs dilate and allow greater
blood supply to them.
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Massage acts to disperse the accumulated
by-products of muscle action that irritate muscles and
nerve endings. Lactic and carbonic acids build up in muscle
tissue shortly after exercise begins. These acids are waste products
that contribute to causation of the pain and occasional cramping
that exercisers, athletes, dancers, etc. suffer during and/or after
workouts or performing. These acids are formed when the glycogen
stored in the liver and muscles is burned to produce the energy expended
during exercise. The acids must eventually be reconverted to glycogen
and stored again, or drained out via the lymph and circulatory systems.
Massage can help eliminate the irritation caused by these
wastes, thus increasing muscle recovery rates.
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Joints are critical to exercise because joints
are moved by the muscles to produce movement. All joints
are complicated, and their parts have a way of settling and
stiffening when not used. A numbed feeling in the joints
discourages exercise. A massage therapist counteracts this by
using massage strokes and passive movement to release the muscle tension
and free the connective tissue found around the joints that can bind
the joints.
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Massage also aids recovery from soft tissue
injuries such as sprains and strains. This is possible
because the growth and repair of tissue are accelerated by
efficient circulation in the injured areas and appropriate
stimulation of the healing tissues. Many soft tissue injuries
are not serious enough to cause one to visit a doctor or
hospital for treatment, or are only treated with some
first-aid, but still cause some discomfort and disability.
Massage therapy can often help speed and improve recovery and
reduce discomfort from such mishaps. In this way, massage helps bridge
the gap between common neglect of injury and major medical intervention.
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Massage has a definite psychological effect by
loosening of muscle tension--the physical counterpart to
how we defend and protect ourselves from psychological pain can
lead to freeing of repressed emotions.
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Users of massage therapy as a healing tool
quickly realize that they have found a form of drugless
therapy. Headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders including
constipation, arthritis, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome,
sinusitis, and minor aches and pains are some of the
problems that can respond to massage therapy.
The massage therapist will likely use a high quality oil or
lotion, but if you have an allergic response you should let the
massage therapist know. Some massage therapists offer to play
music during a session, others may feel it is distracting. It
is best not to have eaten just before a session. Your massage
therapist can answer many other questions you may have. If for
any reason you must miss a massage appointment, your massage
therapist will surely appreciate being notified as soon as possible.
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.
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