Benefits of Massage

The nervous system operates rather like a vast electrical network which, along with the endocrine system, interconnects and harmonises all the individual parts of the body. The nervous system, for example, monitors our blood pressure, rate of breathing, digestive phases, and relates this information to the brain which, in turn, transmits signals through nerve pathways to keep the body in balance. It also regulates the relationship with the external environment by relating information to the brain through the five senses -hearing, sight, taste, touch and smell and then receiving instructions on how to act.

The nervous system is greatly affected by stress and can, as a result, either become hyper-active (frenetic) or hypoactive (underactive). In the first condition, to use Eastern phraseology, we can be said to have an excess of Yang (dynamic principle of nature) and in the second, excess of Yin (resting principle of nature). These disharmonies of two natural and essential forces can, in turn, unbalance many of our physiological activities and contribute to or create various conditions such as headaches and indigestion. Massage and bodywork, with their great variety of healing strokes, can be very effective in balancing the nervous system and restoring homeostasis (physical balance and equilibrium). The skin and muscles contain many nerve endings and connections, and the soothing, balancing, healing touch of massage is relayed by them to every part of the body to bring relief and promote well-being.

By contracting and extending, the skeletal muscles create movements in various parts of the body. They can, however, become painful and contracted with spasms and abnormal tissue, as seen for example in fibrositis, and they can store toxins such as lactic acid. In certain conditions they can waste, becoming weak and flaccid. Such conditions can make some movements difficult, painful or even impossible.Massage can stretch and regenerate the muscles restoring normal elasticity (suppleness) and strength (stamina). Sports people, for example, greatly benefit from massage treatment. So can everyone else the young to grow up with healthy muscles and the old to avoid flabbiness, muscle wastage and weakness.

Most nerves, veins and arteries pass through the joints and muscles and, as a result, abnormalities and restrictions within the muscular and skeletal systems can greatly hamper the healthy functioning of a body''s metabolism. For example the vagus nerve, which originates in the skull, passes into the neck from an area located at the base of the skull and the first cervical or neck vertebra. Muscular and joint restrictions around this area can impinge upon the vagus nerve, which contributes to the regulation of a wide range of organs and functions, such as the pharynx and most thoracic and abdominal organs. When obstructed it disrupts some of the functions involved in breathing and respiration. This example illustrates how massage work on the neck can improve respiration and digestion.

Massage also exerts a beneficial pumping action on the circulatory system by gently squeezing and releasing the muscles and circulatory vessels that pass through it. This improves blood, circulation by favouring the exchange, at a cellular level, of fresh nutrient-full blood, to blood that is carrying toxins away from the cells.

It works in the same way on the lymphatic system by assisting the passage of lymph (fluid carrying nutrients and white blood cells to body tissues, and waste matter away from them) into the bloodstream and thus promoting detoxification. In this way, massage exerts an important influence on the regenerative an cleansing capabilities of the body.