A massage session is not only a pleasant process, but also useful in every way. The benefits of massage are truly multifaceted and complex. Massage has a positive effect on the skin, subcutaneous fat layer, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, as well as on the circulatory, lymphatic, nervous and respiratory systems. That is why many people after a massage feel as if they were born again. Of course, massage is different, and back massage is very different from facial massage, but the result is always the same-the benefit.
The mechanism of action of massage
Physiological effect of massage on the skin:
Increased skin and muscle tone
Activation of lymph and blood circulation of the skin
Improvement of local and general metabolism due to the fact that the skin takes part in almost all metabolic processes occurring in our body.
Improving the secretory function of the sebaceous and sweat glands
Increases the saturation of the skin with oxygen
As a result, the skin becomes elastic and smooth, acquires a healthy shade.
The effect of massage on the subcutaneous fat layer
Since massage affects the metabolism, it automatically increases the release of fat from adipose tissues, thereby contributing to its burning. Massage for weight loss is very effective, but only in combination with a balanced diet, reasonable physical activity and other cosmetic procedures.
The effect of massage on the musculoskeletal system (muscles, joints, tendons)
Increase the elasticity of muscle fibers without the release of lactic acid
Increased blood flow to the muscles
Increased oxygen saturation
Strengthening the efficiency of the fatigued muscles (this is especially important after intense physical exertion, in this case, the massage helps the muscles to relax for about 5 minutes, while passive leisure and rasprostanenie on the bed not much help, and after 20-30 minutes)
Improving the redox reactions (for those who are familiar with lactic acid in the muscles, this item tell a lot)
Relieves painful sensations after sports activities.
In some diseases, massage
slows down muscle atrophy and
reduces the already developed hypotrophy.
The benefits of massage for the nervous system.
As you know, the skin is the first conductor of the nervous system, because it is connected to the entire body by nerve endings. And in this respect, the effect of massage is universal. They can both relax and excite the nervous system.
Moreover, massage has an effect on the peripheral NS. This means that massage improves the conduction of nerve endings, thereby strengthening the reflex connections between the cerebral cortex and the muscles, circulatory system and internal organs. It also accelerates the regeneration process (if the nerve has been damaged), improves tissue trophism, weakens or completely relieves pain.
The effect of massage on the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.
Everyone noticed that the massaged areas turned red. This is due to the fact that the massage expands the lumen of the vessels and activates the work of reserve capillaries (if before the massage for 1 sq.mm. there are on average 31 active capillaries, then after – 1400). As a result, the blood supply to the surface of not only the massaged area, but also the adjacent organs increases. However, there is no more blood and it does not come from anywhere, it just flows from the internal organs, thereby facilitating the work of the left atrium and ventricle, increasing the pumping capacity of the heart muscle. In particular, stagnant phenomena in both circles of the blood circulation are eliminated.
An almost identical process occurs with the lymphatic system. And this is another proof that anti-cellulite massage and its effectiveness are not a myth invented by cosmetologists for earning money.
Among other things, the effect of massage on the circulatory system is expressed in an increase in the number of white blood cells and hemoglobin, and most importantly-red blood cells, which is important for patients with anemia.
You can talk about the benefits of massage endlessly, whole books are devoted to this topic. We will not go into the medical subtleties, and, finally, just say that massage normalizes all the functions of the body. It has a tonic, soothing, trophic and enerotropic effect on the body. And this once again suggests that massage is not just a pleasure, but a colossal method of manual therapy in its effectiveness.