Benefits and Effects of Massage

Psychologically, massage can reduce stress and anxiety, relieve fatigue, calm the nervous system and promote a sense of well-being, relaxation and re-invigorated energy.

The Effects of Massage on the Muscular System

Massage can encourage the development and nutrition of the muscular system stimulating its circulation, nerve supply and cell activity. The muscles can become firmer and more elastic through regular and systematic massage.

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The supply of blood to muscles is a function of their activity. For example, blood passes approximately three times faster through muscles being massaged than for muscles at rest. Kneading and compression movements create a pumping action that brings a fresh supply of blood to the muscles. Similarly, massage can aid the removal of metabolic waste products and hence nourish the cells and tissues.

Research has found that massage within two hours of heavy exercise can reduce the effect of Delayed Onset Muscle soreness and there is little doubt that muscles fatigued by exercise will be more quickly restored by massage than by passive rest of the same duration. Hence massage is highly effective in reducing the recovery time of athletes.

Massage can assist in recovery of muscle injury. Muscle tissue that has suffered injury heals at a faster rate when therapeutic and remedial massage is applied regularly and professionally. Friction massage prevents and reduces the development of adhesions and there is less connective tissue build-up or scarring. Massage can also have great effects on the range of motion of limbs that have restricted range because of tissue injury, inflammation, muscle tension or muscle strain.

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