Table 1. Effects of Various Massage Strokes Action Strokes Results Local mechanical Effleurage, petrissage, friction
Localized warming and softening of the tissue; increase in blood and lymph circulation to the targeted area; increasing cellular exchange of nutrients and wastes. Massage action on the muscles and tendons activates nervous system feedback to contract or relax the targeted muscle fibers (tonus). Effleurage increases blood pressure, heart rate and blood/lymph flow; tapotement mechanically stimulates the central and peripheral nervous systems. Stimulation of the sensory receptors of the skin and deeper tissues activates neuroendocrine chemicals associated with relaxation or stimulation.
Local (somatic) reflex
Vibration, friction
Systemic mechanical
Effleurage, tapotement
Systemic reflux Effleurage, friction, tapotement
Physiological effects of massage therapy The physiological effects of massage are briefly reviewed in this table and described at greater length subsequently A review about their efficacy on each particular system is good complimentary knowledge to have when being asked to explain to your client how massage may complement a particular medication and in some cases aid the condition Table 2. Physiological Effects of Massage Therapy General
for which they are taking it. For instance, if you have a client who is taking blood pressure medication, it is helpful for you to be able to easily explain the effects massage therapy has on the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and increasing circulation.
● Increases local blood supply to soft tissues, muscles, and joints; vasodilation. ● Increases lymphatic and venous return (causing reduction of edema). ● Increases drainage and reduced swelling in soft tissue, muscles, and periarticular areas. ● Prevents adhesions and fibrosis in ligaments, muscles, and associated tissues. ● Reduces muscle atrophy during extended periods of disuse or immobility.
● Increases muscle relaxation and reduces muscle “guarding.” ● Increases flexibility and mobility, including joint range of motion. ● Reduces pain or interrupts pain cycle with increased mobility. ● Balances pH level. ● Increases hormonal release with systemic results. ● Reduces pain and inflammation due to chemical release. ● Increases cellular metabolism and removes metabolic wastes. ● Promotes healing.
Cardiovascular/ circulatory system ● Facilitates cell nutrition and oxygen supply. ● Removes metabolic waste. ● Increases vascular health. ● Changes heart rate and blood pressure. Lymphatic system ● Facilitates movement of lymph through circulator system, increases flow, and reduces edema ● Increases urine excretion. Integumentary system Increases blood flow to skin, with increased skin temperature, perspiration, and sebaceous secretions. Muscular system
● Increases muscle tonus, relaxation, and stretching. ● Reduces incidence of muscle spasm and cramping. ● Reduces pain and promotes healing.
● Reduces pain through chemical means and nervous response. ● Restores homeostasis in the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems. ● Releases natural pain killers.
Nervous system
Respiratory system Facilitates ease of breathing through relaxation of muscles and increased fluid removal (percussion stroke). Immune system Increases production of T cytotoxic cells and reduces stress, with effects on the immune system and parasympathetic nervous system. Effects of massage on the cardiovascular and circulatory systems
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.
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
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