PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS OF MASSAGE THERAPY The physiological effects of massage are briefly reviewed in this table, and described at greater length below: General
● Increase in local blood supply to soft tissues, muscles and joints, vasodilation. ● Increase in lymphatic and venous return (causing reduction of edema). ● Increases drainage and reduced swelling in soft tissue, muscles and periarticular areas. ● Prevention of adhesions and fibrosis in ligaments, muscles and associated tissues. ● Reduction in muscle atrophy during extended periods of disuse or immobility. ● Muscle relaxation and reduced muscle “guarding.” ● Facilitates cell nutrition and oxygen supply. ● Removes metabolic waste. ● Increases vascular health. ● Changes heart rate and blood pressure.
● Increases flexibility and mobility, including joint range of motion. ● Pain reduction or interruption of pain cycle with increased mobility. ● Balances pH levels. ● Increases hormonal release with systemic results. ● Reduces pain and inflammation due to chemical release. ● Increases cellular metabolism, removes metabolic wastes. ● Promotes healing.
Cardiovascular/ circulatory system
Lymphatic system
● Facilitates movement of lymph through circulator system, increases flow, and reduces edema. ● Increases urine excretion. ● Increased blood flow to skin, with increased skin temperature, perspiration and sebaceous secretions.
Integumentary system
Muscular system
● Increases muscle tonus, relaxation and stretching. ● Reduces incidence of muscle spasm and cramping. ● Reduces pain and promotes healing.
Nervous system
● Reduces pain through chemical means and nervous response. ● Restores homeostasis in the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems. ● Releases natural pain killers.
Respiratory system
● Facilitates ease of breathing through relaxation of muscles and increased fluid removal (percussion stroke). ● Increases production of T cytotoxic cells and reduces stress, with effects on the immune system and parasympathetic nervous system.
Immune system
Effects of massage on the cardiovascular and circulatory systems Many of the physical benefits associated with massage are a function of its ability to increase blood flow to a given area. This action, called hyperemia , is visible in the reddening of the skin that occurs during massage. Increasing the blood flow through massage corrects ischemia, a reduction in blood flow that is associated with a variety of physical ailments and disorders. Improving or restoring blood flow increases nutritional delivery, promoting healing and the restoration of damaged cells and tissues in health clients. Individuals with impaired circulatory system function are not candidates for circulatory massage. Healthy clients can see many benefits from circulatory massage; it normalizes blood pressure and can help maintain fitness of the cardiovascular system (though it is not a replacement for exercise). Massage causes vasodilation – dilation of the blood vessels and capillaries – which is due to the powerful relaxation response induced in the nervous system through massage. When the practitioner strokes the tissues toward the heart, the dilated vessels can carry more blood back through the system, allowing for improved removal of waste products and toxins and delivery of healing oxygen. Massage can increase the efficiency of the circulatory system mechanically in clients who are unable to exercise aerobically. Massage increases blood flow to body areas in two ways: Through the application of manual pressure or by stroking the tissues toward the heart. Manual pressure by the practitioner pushes the blood out of that area. When the pressure is released, fresh blood rushes back into the
tissues. Massage can encourage arterial circulation (blood flow to the tissues) or venous circulation (blood flow from the tissues back to the heart). Venous return flow is assisted by short and long stroking from the fingers and toes toward the heart; deep stroking in the other direction, from the heart to the extremities, is contraindicated, as it can endanger the system of valves within the veins. Contraindications related to cardiovascular and circulatory system organs Massage is contraindicated in situations or conditions where increased blood flow could be detrimental to tissue health, such as in the case of varicose veins, edema and hematoma. Varicose veins appear when damaged valves cause a vein to enlarge or twist. In the case of varicose veins, it is important to avoid any action that might put additional pressure on the valve, causing further damage to the vein. Edema, or inflammation, can result from a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, bursitis, sprains, strains, synovitis and tenosynovitis. Massage can aggravate these inflammatory conditions by causing increased blood flow to the already inflamed area. Massage is also contraindicated when a virus or infection is present. When a virus occurs in the body, the body systems try to isolate and destroy the virus. Therefore, massage, which would cause increased circulation of the virus throughout the body, should not be performed. In the case of infections such as chicken pox, measles, influenza, scarlet fever, nephritis and hepatitis, massage may be too stressful on the body. A physician’s approval is necessary for massage in patients or clients experiencing any infection. In advanced diabetes, when there is poor circulation to the extremities along with a loss of sensation, massage is likely to cause
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Book Code: MIL1224
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