Physical Benefits of Massage
- Massage dilates (opens up) blood vessels, improving circulation and relieving congestion.
- Massage increases the number of red blood cells, especially useful in cases of anemia.
- Massage acts as a ‘mechanical cleanser’ pushing along lymph and hastening the elimination of wastes and toxic debris.
- Massage improves muscle tone and helps prevent or delay muscular atrophy resulting from forced inactivity.
- Massage can compensate, at least in part, for lack of exercise and muscular contraction in persons who, because of injury, illness or age, are forced to remain inactive. In these cases, massage helps return venous blood to the heart, and so eases the strain on this vital organ.
- Massage improves the general circulation and nutrition of tissues. It is accompanied or followed by an increased interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells, heightening tissue metabolism.
- Massage increases excretion via the kidneys of fluids and nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus and salt in normal individuals.
- Massage encourages the retention of chemical compounds necessary for tissue repair in persons convalescing from bone fractures.
- Massage stretches connective tissue, improves its circulation and nutrition and so breaks down or prevents the formation of adhesions and reduces the danger of fibroses.
- Massage improves the circulation and nutrition of joints and hastens the elimination of harmful particles.
from The Touch Therapy Institute, Encino, CA 818.788.0824
Psychological Benefits of Massage
1. Increases a sense of well-being
2. Alleviates mental and nervous exhaustion
3. Deepens awareness of self, breath, movement
4. Reduces mental stress
5. Improves mood
6. Helps release long-held patterns of trauma and grief
7. Enhances psychotherapeutic & spiritual growth
8. Increases a sense of vitality, energy & mental alertness
9. Prepares one mentally for work/athletic performance
10. Decreases depression
11. Fosters peace of mind
12. Improves ability to respond to everyday stress
13. Enhances capacity for creative thought
14. Satisfies basic need for soothing, nurturing touch
15. Reduces anxiety
16. Increases awareness of mind-body connection
References: holistichealthnow.com/Services/Massage; American Massage Therapy Association
