Picture by Google photo bucket
Tired, sore and stressed out?
People I have spoken to would agree a
massage makes them feel good. But many probably do not realise the full benefit
of how good a regular massage is for their overall health. Massage are proven
to improve performance, aid recovery, prevent and eliminate injuries, reduce
stress and even enhance metabolism and circulation!
Massage is a scientific process
The reason why you feel different after a
massage is because it is healing and invigorating tired, aching or injured
muscles. Massage increases blood and lymph circulation. Lymph is a fluid that
rids body tissues of waste, is dependent on the squeezing effect of muscles. An
active person has better lymph flow than an inactive person
Benefits of Massage:
- Increase the blood's oxygen capacity by 10-15%
- Help loosen contracted, shortened muscles and
stimulate weak, flaccid muscles. This muscle "balancing" can
even help posture and promote more efficient movement;
- Speed recovery from exercise-induced fatigue;
- Increase production of gastric juices, saliva
and urine;
- Increase excretion of nitrogen, inorganic
phosphorus, and sodium chloride (salt). This suggests that the metabolic
rate increases;
- Balance the nervous system by soothing or
stimulating it, depending on which effect is needed;
- Improves function of the oil and sweat glands
that lubricate, clean and cool the skin. Though, inflexible skin can
become softer and more supple;
- Indirectly or directly stimulating nerves the
supply internal organs can dilate the organs' blood vessels, improving
blood supply.
Massage and Sport
Massage is an important part of
professional athletes in their training regime. But unfortunately many people
believe aches and pains are an inevitable consequence to physical activity such
as sports. Massages are able to reduce or eliminate what may appear to be exercise-induced
pain.
It can increase endurance, control
fatigue and help people feel better when used as part of a regular health
program. Massage can also speed muscle recovery rates as it eliminates
irritation from waste. By helping reduce fatigue and aid recovery, massage
enables more productive training, with longer, more effective workouts.
Massage reduce stress
Massage helps recovery from soft tissue
injuries such as sprains and strains faster. Tissue growth and repair is
accelerated by efficient circulation and appropriate stimulation. Everybody has
some form of stress through work, family, the environment and society. Mental
tensions, frustrations, and insecurity cause the most damage. Hormones released
by stress actually shrink the vessels, inhibiting circulation. A stressed mind
and body means the heart works harder. Breathing becomes rapid and shallow and
digestion slows. Studies show stress can cause migraines, hypertension (high
blood pressure), depression, some peptic ulcers, etc. In fact, researchers have
estimated 80% of disease is stress related. Soothing and relaxing massage
therapy can counteract the effects of stress.
What Injuries can Massage Treat?
- Headaches & migraines
- Frozen shoulder
- Sore shoulder and neck
- Back pain & sciatica
- Tennis and golfers elbow
- Sprains, strains and tears
- Over-use injuries
- Shin splints
Comments