THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE
Massage relaxes muscle contractions, spasms and relieves general body tension.
Massage dilates the blood vessels, thus improving the circulation.
Massage acts as a “mechanical cleanser” pushing along lymphatic fluids and hastening the elimination of wastes and toxic debris.
Massage increases the blood supply and nutrition to muscles without adding to their load of toxic lactic acid, produced through voluntary muscle contraction. Massage thus helps to overcome harmful “fatigue” by-products resulting from strenuous exercise or injury.
Massage can compensate, at least in part, for lack of exercise and muscular contraction in persons who, because of injury, illness or age, are forced to remain inactive. In these cases, massage helps return venous blood to the heart and so eases the strain on this vital organ.
Massage may have a sedative, stimulating or even exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of massage treatment given.
Transverse massage separates muscle fibers, undoing or preventing the formation of adhesions and trigger points.
According to some authorities, massage may burst the fat capsule in the subcutaneous layer so that the fat exudes and becomes absorbed. In effect, massage combined with a nutritious but low calorie diet can be an aid to reducing weight.
Massage improves the general circulation and nutrition of tissues. It is accompanied or followed by an increased interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells heightening tissue metabolism.
Massage increases the excretion (via the kidneys) of fluids and nutrition of tissues. It is accompanied or followed by an increased interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells heightening tissue metabolism.
Massage encourages the retention of nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur necessary for tissue repair in persons convalescing from bone fractures.
Massage stretches connective tissues, improves its circulation and nutrition and so breaks down or prevents the formation of adhesions and reduces the danger of fibrosis.
Massage improves the circulation and nutrition of joints and hastens the elimination of harmful particles. It helps lessen inflammation and swelling in joints and so alleviates pain.
Massage disperses the edema following injury to ligaments and tendons, lessens pain and tissue damage, and helps facilitate movement.