Massage Benefits
Skin (Integumentary)
- Stimulates sebaceous glands to increase sebum that improves skin condition, texture and tone
- Increase insensible perspiration by stimulating the sudoriferous glands
- Increased circulation brings nutrients to tissues
- Helps reduce formation of superficial keloids & reduces excessive scar formations in soft tissue
Skeletal System
- Increases retention of nutrients in bones, especially on stable fractures
- Flattens adipose and makes skin appear smoother
- Reduces hyperplasia (thickening) of connective tissue which makes the body more mobile
- Displaces adhesion and rearranges scar tissue
Muscular System
- Relieves muscular restrictions, tightness, stiffness and spasms
- Enhances blood circulation
- Promotes rapid waste disposal and replenishment of nutrients
- Interrupts pain cycle
- Helps maintain muscle tone
Nervous System
- Activates sensory receptors and can stimulate or soothe the nervous system
- Decreases pain by releasing endorphins and general relaxation
- Inhibits pain by interfering with nociceptive (pain) information
- Relieves pain caused by hypersensitive trigger points or referred pain by increased circulation
- Mechanically broadens and stretches tissue
- Helps tone weak muscles through vibratory movements to muscle spindles
- Increases delta waves and decreases alpha and bets wave activity
- Stimulates parasympathetic system thus promoting relaxation and decreases insomnia
- Reduces norepinephrine and cortisol (stress hormones)
- Increases dopamine and serotonin levels â€" decrease in stress level and depression
Circulatory System
Cardiovascular
- Stimulates tissue release of histamines and acetylcholine. Improves venous Circulation through deep stroking
- Delivery and removal of products is improved
- Blood pressure is decreased temporarily
- Temporarily increases stolic stroke volume
- Decreases heat rate through decreased stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system
- Number of red blood cells is increased
- Increased presence of white blood cells following massage
- Firm massage strokes increase the number of thrombocytes in the blood
- Reduces ischemia
Lymphatic System
- Reduces lymphedema
- Disease fighters increased by massage
Respiratory System
- Slows down the rate of respiration
- Cupping is used to loosen phlegm in the respiratory tract
- Increases vial capacity by freeing tight respiratory muscles and fascia
Digestive System
- Promotes excitation of peristaltic activity in large intestines helping to relieve colic and internal gas
- Promote the evacuation of colon with clockwise abdominal massage
- Promotes stimulation of parasympathetic nervous system which stimulates digestion
Urinary System
- May increase urine output by activating dormant capillary beds and recovering lymphatic fluids
- Promotes the excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and sodium chloride
- Promotes autonomic nervous system functioning which helps homeostasis and urine production
