Therapeutic Massage for Health and Fitness

Massage affects the body as a whole. To understand how massage works, some of the physiological effects of massage need to be briefly examined. 

Massage is known to:

Increase the circulation of the blood and the lymph
The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically applied pressure and stretching (as done in massage) can dramatically increase the rate of blood flow.  Also, the stimulation of nerve receptors causes the blood vessels (by reflex action) to dilate.

A milky white fluid called lymph carries impurities and waste fluids away from the tissues and passes through gland-like structures spaced throughout the lymphatic system that act as filtering valves.  Lymph does not circulate as blood does, so its movement depends largely on the squeezing effect of muscle contractions.  Therefore, inactive people fail to stimulate lymph circulation.  On the other hand, the stimulation caused by vigorous activity can be outstripped by the increased waste produced by that activity.  Massage can aid the movement of lymph dramatically in either case.

For the whole body to be healthy, the cells must be healthy.  The individual cells of the body are dependent on an abundant supply of blood and lymph because these fluids supply nutrients and oxygen and carry away wastes and toxins.  So it is easy to understand why good circulation is so important and why massage can be so beneficial for the entire body due to its effect on circulation alone.

Massage can:

Cause changes in the blood.
The oxygen capacity of the blood can increased 10-15% after massage.

Affect muscles throughout the body.
Massage can help loosen contracted shortened muscles and can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles.  This muscle balancing can help posture and provide for more efficient movement.  Massage does not increase muscle strength.  But it can promote recovery from the fatigue that occurs after exercise.  In this way, it can be possible to do more exercise, which may in the long run strength muscles.

Increase the body’s secretions and excretions.
There is a proven increase in the production of gastric juice, 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 materials by the body cells) increases.

Affect the nervous system.
The nervous system is stimulated and/or soothed by massage (depending on technique).

Enhance skin condition.
Massage directly improves the function of the sebaceous and sweat glands which keep the skin lubricated, clean and cooled.  Tough, inflexible skin becomes softer and more supple.

Affect internal organs.
By indirectly or directly stimulating nerves that supply internal organs, blood vessels of these organs dilate and allow for greater blood supply.

Knowing about the physiological effects of massage will make it possible to better understand the health and fitness benefits of massage.  What takes place under a massage therapist’s hands has profound importance for those interested in health and physical fitness in tuning their bodies.  In every sport or form of exercise, massage can help improve performance, increase endurance and lower fatigue levels.  By reducing fatigue, massage enables the athlete to train better with longer, more effective workouts.  The people of ancient Mediterranean civilizations knew this.  After bathing and exercise, they sought a full body massage.  The ancients understood that education involves equal development of mind and body.  The current interest in physical fitness, holistic health, wellness and human potential represents a bid to revive a time-honored philosophy.

The relationship of stress and illness is of interest to anyone maintaining their health.  We all have stress in our daily lives relating to work, family, environment and society.  Mental tensions, frustrations and insecurity are among the most damaging.  Stress causes the release of hormones that create vasoconstriction (vessel shrinking) and reduce circulation.  Affected by stress, the heart works harder, breathing  becomes rapid and shallow, and digestion slows.  Every body process is decreased.  Psychosomatic studies show how stress factors can cause migraines, peptic ulcers, hypertension, depression, etc.  Soothing and relaxing massage can help by counteracting stress effects.

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Susan Clingman, RMT, A Healing Experience Massage, 5031 S. Federal Blvd., Suite 3, Englewood, CO 80110, (303) 726-2575; susanmclingman@comcast.net ; www.ahealingexperiencemassage.com