Massage can help to:
• Relieve muscular pain and tension by stretching and relaxing the muscle and encouraging it to return back to its
normal relaxed length.
• Improve joint mobility by stimulating the production of synovial fluid and by relaxing and stretching the muscle fibres.
• Reduce the formation of adhesions and fibrous tissue by physically separating the surfaces of tissues which are
adjacent to each other.
• Improve circulation by mechanically moving blood through the congested areas and assisting venous blood flow
back to the heart. Good circulation brings damaged muscles the oxygen and nutrient-rich blood they need to heal.
• Increase the number of red blood cells circulating in the body by stimulating their release from the bone marrow.
This can enhance general health and energy levels.
• Improve lymph flow by compressing lymphatic vessels and moving the fluid in them towards the lymphatic glands
and back to the venous system. This, in turn, increases the amount of waste and toxins flushed from the body.
• Boost immunity by stimulating the production of lymphocytes, part of the body's natural defence systems.
• Encourage deep breathing by improving posture and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system which slows
and deepens breathing.
• Improve digestion by promoting increased peristaltic action in the intestines.
• Improve the condition of the skin by increasing the flow of nourishing blood to the surface and by exfoliating dead
skin cells.
• Reduce stress levels by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for relaxation and
recuperation. Massage can also increase levels of serotonin & dopamine, the 'feel good' chemicals of the brain, and
decrease the amount of cortisol & adrenaline released during stress. Reduced levels of stress can help to: decrease
anxiety, enhance sleep quality, improve concentration and reduce fatigue.
• Release endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Endorphins create an overall sense of well-being and help
manage chronic pain due to illness or injury.
Massage can also have psychological effects which must not be underestimated. Massage allows people to switch off and be at peace for a while. It can enhance a sense of well-being and body awareness. Massage can be an effective therapeutic tool towards a positive self-image and sense of self-worth; it has been shown to decrease feelings of depression in adolescents.
Sports massage can help to obtain optimum athletic performance by:
• Allowing the athlete to perform more effectively under less physiological stress
• Improving cellular nutrition and toxin removal
• Helping to reduce pain and swelling after injury, thus speeding up rehabilitation
• Helping to prevent injury, by aiding recovery after training or competition and making athlete less prone to stiffness
• Enhancing the cool down period, cutting down delayed onset muscle soreness and fatigue
normal relaxed length.
• Improve joint mobility by stimulating the production of synovial fluid and by relaxing and stretching the muscle fibres.
• Reduce the formation of adhesions and fibrous tissue by physically separating the surfaces of tissues which are
adjacent to each other.
• Improve circulation by mechanically moving blood through the congested areas and assisting venous blood flow
back to the heart. Good circulation brings damaged muscles the oxygen and nutrient-rich blood they need to heal.
• Increase the number of red blood cells circulating in the body by stimulating their release from the bone marrow.
This can enhance general health and energy levels.
• Improve lymph flow by compressing lymphatic vessels and moving the fluid in them towards the lymphatic glands
and back to the venous system. This, in turn, increases the amount of waste and toxins flushed from the body.
• Boost immunity by stimulating the production of lymphocytes, part of the body's natural defence systems.
• Encourage deep breathing by improving posture and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system which slows
and deepens breathing.
• Improve digestion by promoting increased peristaltic action in the intestines.
• Improve the condition of the skin by increasing the flow of nourishing blood to the surface and by exfoliating dead
skin cells.
• Reduce stress levels by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for relaxation and
recuperation. Massage can also increase levels of serotonin & dopamine, the 'feel good' chemicals of the brain, and
decrease the amount of cortisol & adrenaline released during stress. Reduced levels of stress can help to: decrease
anxiety, enhance sleep quality, improve concentration and reduce fatigue.
• Release endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Endorphins create an overall sense of well-being and help
manage chronic pain due to illness or injury.
Massage can also have psychological effects which must not be underestimated. Massage allows people to switch off and be at peace for a while. It can enhance a sense of well-being and body awareness. Massage can be an effective therapeutic tool towards a positive self-image and sense of self-worth; it has been shown to decrease feelings of depression in adolescents.
Sports massage can help to obtain optimum athletic performance by:
• Allowing the athlete to perform more effectively under less physiological stress
• Improving cellular nutrition and toxin removal
• Helping to reduce pain and swelling after injury, thus speeding up rehabilitation
• Helping to prevent injury, by aiding recovery after training or competition and making athlete less prone to stiffness
• Enhancing the cool down period, cutting down delayed onset muscle soreness and fatigue