Benefits of Massage
The Benefits of Massage
The Muscular System
- Relieves soreness, tension, and stiffness
- Improves muscle tone
- Increases flexibility and range of motion of joints
- Improves the flow of nutrients to muscles and joints, accelerating recovery from fatigue and injury
- Reduces scar tissue
- Breaks down or prevents adhesions (knots)
- Speeds recovery from exercise
- Enhances freedom of movement
- Prevents or delays muscular atrophy, resulting from inactivity caused by injury, age, surgery, or illness
- Increases physical confidence
- Relieves cramps and muscle spasms
- Reduces pain and swelling
The Skeletal System
- Improves posture/body alignment
- Relieve stiff joints
- Decreases inflammation
- Restores range of motion (increasing joint movement)
- Releases joint strain (releasing tight muscles and tendons)
- Releases restrictions in the fascia (connected tissues)
- Improves the circulation and nutrients of your joints
The Integumentary System
- Improves skin tone by removing dead cells and improving circulation
- Regenerates tissue, including burns, wounds, and wrinkles
- Helps to normalize glandular functions
- Improve elasticity of skin
- Stimulates blood flow to nourish the skin
The Circulatory System
- Increases blood flow (to tissues and organs), which can relieve much muscular and joint pain (especially associated with swelling)
- Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients (to cells and tissues), improving and relieving congestion throughout the body
- Increases the number of red blood cells, especially in cases of anemia
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduces heart rate (helps develop a stronger heart)
- Elimination of metabolic waste
The Lymphatic System
- Cleanse the body of wastes and toxic debris in the body
- Increases the circulation of lymph
- Stimulates the immune system (strengthens resistance to disease)
- Reduces edema of the extremities (arms and legs)
- Removal of lactic acid from fatigued and sore muscles (allows for a quick recovery)
- Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism
- Increases retention of nitrogen phosphorus, and sulfur to aid in bone repair
- Speeds recovery from illness
The Respiratory System
- Develops respiratory muscles
- Regulates respiration
- Promotes deeper and easier breathing
The Nervous System
- Stimulates Nervous System = boosting energy
- Calms the Nervous System = relaxing
-- Massage may have a sedative, stimulating or an exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of massage treatment given - Relieves restlessness and insomnia
- Relieves pain due to pinched nerves
- Decreases chronic pain
- Stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller)
The Endocrine System
- Helps the body to restore and heal itself
- Develops of a restful sleep pattern
- Promotes appropriate levels of hormones (bringing the immune system back in balance)
The Digestive System
- Relieves constipation (specifically if a abdominal massage is given)
- Relaxes the abdominal and intestinal muscles (therefore releasing tension in this area)
- Eliminates waste materials
- Stimulates activity of liver and kidneys
The Urinary System
- Elimination of metabolic waste
- Cleanses the body of wastes and toxic debris in the body
- Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism
The Reproductive System
- Reduces depression and anxiety associated with PMS
- Reduces excess fluid retention
- Helps prepare for the birthing process
This list is just the beginning to how the benefits of massage can help you. The ever expanding research continues to grow.