02/09/2018
The physical benefits of massage:
Dilates the blood vessels - massage acts to dilate the blood vessels which increases the efficiency of both supplying fresh nutrients to the tissues and eliminating metabolic wastes out of the body.
Returns blood back to the heart - massage act to promote the venous return of blood back towards the heart. This is particularly important for enhancing proper circulation within the extremities. This also has an effect on cardiac output, as it increases the circulation of blood around the body by the stimulation of heat through the skin and muscles. This heat generated through the massage increases diffusion of cells as allowing nutrients and oxygen to move into the cells at a faster rate, this heat also allows the metabolic process to take place quicker also.
During rehab exercise, increase in capillary density will assist in massage being able to increase blood flow to the area and increase healing time. (Laura Niedziocha, Long term muscle response to exercise. 2011; www.livestrong.com).
Helps drain sluggish lymph material – massage acts as a mechanical cleanser, helping to drain sluggish lymph material especially after the inflammation phase of injury where the body experiences excess fluid and waste material through the lymph nodes which are one way valves. Good lymphatic circulation is very important for riding the body of toxic materials and helps to maintain a healthy immune system. The lymph system also assists in the reabsorption of lipid fats back into the blood stream.
Improves muscle tone – massage improves muscle tone by mechanically stimulating inherent reflexes found within muscle fibres. This is particularly important to those who do not obtain adequate daily exercise due to a sedentary lifestyle or long periods of convalescence, leaving the muscles in a hypotonic state. It can also relieve hypertonic muscles which are too tight from over use or over training.
Prevents adhesions - Transverse massage strokes such as petrissage can help to prevent adhesions from occurring in between muscle fibres when going through the regeneration phase of injury recovery when collagen is in its haphazard laying down stage. When these fibres start to adhere together it acts to restrict their full range of motion.
Stretches the connective tissue – massage stretches the connective tissues which surround and support the musculature. This promotes its health and prevents it from adhering to the muscle.
Lessens stiffness and swelling – massage can help to lessen the stiffness and swelling found within joints due to injury. This swelling and stiffness is from the inflammation stage of injury and can also be attributed to tendonitis or bursa inflammation. Again by reducing swelling and stiffness the massage will help to increase range of motion and promote healing.
Has a stimulating or sedative effect on the nervous system - massage can have either a stimulating or sedative effect on the nervous system depending on the type of massage being applied, the duration and the present state of the nerves. The massage can increase heat which engages the thermo-receptors which send a faster signal than nociceptors or pain responsive nerves which send a slow dull signal back to the central nervous system.
The pain gate theory is what is being referred to here and uses the peripheral nervous system which uses sensory nerves to bring information about pain, heat, cold and other sensory phenomena to the spinal cord from various parts of the body. At least two types of nerve fibres are thought to carry the majority of pain messages to the spinal cord: A-delta nerve fibres, which carry electrical messages to the spinal cord at approximately 40 mph (first or fast pain) C-fibres which carry electrical messages at approximately 3 mph to the spinal cord (slow or continuous pain).
The action of these other types of nerve fibres helps to explain why treatments such as massage, heat or cold packs, transcutaneous nerve stimulation in treating back pain. The nerve endings in the back are transmitted by special peripheral nerves first to the spinal cord and then up to the brain. These messages can be overridden by other signals in the manner described above. Treatments such as massage, heat and cold can change a pain message some of the differences in the nerve fibres.
Which result in the signal for pain being blocked by the signal of pressure, heat or cold. (William W. Deardorff; Modern ideas: the gate control theory of chronic pain; 03/11/2003)
The stimulation of the autonomic and somatic nervous system is also vital in pre-sport and post-sport massage, as the massage therapist will either need to illicit the production of the sympathetic system to release the hormone adrenalin to prepare an athlete for a race, match or competition with fast but firm effleurage and petrissage strokes or post-match massage engaging the parasympathetic and the release of its primary hormone acetylcholine which helps to slow the heart rate and decrease the force of its contraction rate. (Rick Hanson; Relaxed and contented; 2007)
Aids in weight reduction – Some authorities believe that vigorous massage can aid in weight reduction by mechanically bursting fat capsules and then further by aiding in the reabsorption of fat back into the blood stream via the lymphatic system, at the thoracic ducts.
Brings awareness to the area of massage - the clients awareness to the area being massaged and the awareness of the nerves in itself can bring about healing if these were damaged at the time of injury or surgery. It also aids in picking up some of the tender or sore areas within muscles, ligaments and tendons where the athlete or client might not be aware they have a problem developing. The palpation of these soft tissue structures and the observation will assist prior to the treatment. (www.marytoscano.com-healthy-living)
All of these areas have application to prevent and manage injury and assist the massage therapist to talk through and discuss areas that a client or athlete can work on to assist either recovery from injury or to be attuned to their body to know when there is a problem developing.
References
• www.marytoscano.com-healthy-living
• Laura Niedziocha, Long term muscle response to exercise. 2011; www.livestrong.com
• Jane. Johnson; Therapeutic stretching; 2012
• www.sport-fitness-advisor.com
• Michael. Kent 2nd edition oxford dictionary of sports science and medicine; 1998
• William W. Deardorff; Modern ideas: the gate control theory of chronic pain; 03/11/2003
• Rick Hanson, PhD; Relaxed and contented: Activating the parasympathetic wing of your nervous system; 2007
• Galloway, S. & Hunter, A. (2005) Mind or body? Research into sports massage. Sportex dynamics, 4:12-14 (www.njdsportsinjuries.co.uk)
• Hilbert, J.; Sforza, G. & Swensen, T. (2003) the effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness. British journal of sports medicine 37:72-75.
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