Massage therapy is an excellent way to achieving an overall good health.

Massage is vastly perceived as a simple mechanical action on soft tissue and blood vessels. While the mechanical action is certainly of a great benefit it is only one side of this wonderful medical practice.
Most certainly, most men think about massage as a relaxing and unwinding time, and too many of us label massage as a sexual practice. But as with every tool or drug, we can use it in many ways.
There is a strong emotional component that contributes to a good massage therapy session. This article presents some of the benefits of massage therapy.

Musculoskeletal System

• Helps relieve muscular spasm and tension; the massage create awareness for tensioned areas and the patient then begin to consciously release that tension.
• Massage therapy improves joint flexibility and mobility; the articulations suffer of weak blood flow, and joint traumas are the most difficult to heal for that reason. Massage manipulations have an excellent vasodilator influence, and increase the blood circulation in joint capsules. In this manner articulations, ligaments, and tendons, will profit from an improved flow of blood, hence, faster healing.
• Massage promotes faster healing of soft tissue injuries; By applying friction, the soft tissue warms up and it softens, it improves the quality of elastic fibers and collagen, helping the repairing of the of scarred tissue.
• By helping your body circulate this lymph fluid mas­sage aids in the elimination of toxins.
• Body rubs are effective for sports performance; Sport massage maneuvers promote muscle contractility and elasticity by increasing the muscle blood supply. More blood means more oxygen flow and more nutrients to muscles. The improved oxygenation and nutrition delays the oxygen depletion and glycolysis, hence a superior muscle functions. After sport events or intensive training massage is effective for faster recuperation by reducing muscle tension. Employing relaxing techniques we help the muscles relax and aid in a faster muscle recuperation. 

Integumentary system

Skin

• Increases healthy functioning of the skin; massage helps the skin “breathe.” It promotes the shedding of dead cells while also encouraging the absorption of moisture, nutrients, vitamins, and other vital elements.
• Revitalizes skin’s condition and improves appearance; the skin will be healthier hence the better look, relaxation will show up on your face and your eyes. The hyperemia, an effect produced by certain massage maneuvers, such as friction, helps the skin to regain firmness and elasticity. The enhanced exfoliation produced by the massage manipulations, will help the skin look and feel better.
• Massage reduces fat; Massage therapy facilitates lipolysis, which in turn will result in fat mass loss. Massage therapy sustains connective tissue flexibility and combats excess fatty deposit. Select massage moves help reducing cellulite. 

Digestive, Imune, Nervous and Endocrine Systems

• Massage therapy enhances the digestive function; massage has been proven to provide great results in improving digestion, reducing constipation and flatulence and promoting general easier elimination. Massage can help for indigestions by direct maneuvers on the stomach, or by manipulating reflexogenic points.
• By helping your body circulate this lymph fluid mas­sage aids in the elimination of toxins.
  Touch promotes the release of human growth hormone (HGH), which is essential to our development.
• Improves lymph and blood circulation; the massage movements physically push the blood and lymph in their vessels and can therefore, when done properly, push it in the right direction, increasing circulation. Poor lymphatic or blood circulation, may be brought back to proper working levels by massage manipulations.
• Raises immune efficiency and detoxify the body; your lymph system has nodes at various strategically located areas through­out your body, and these nodes have the job of capturing the intruders and processing, or killing them, before the ejection through your excretory system. By employing specific massage therapy techniques we stimulate the transport of fatty acids and cholesterol, we improve the nutrients exchange and waste elimination. The immunity mechanisms are stimulated by exciting the lymph nodes. Massage boosts the elimination of fluids and reduces stasis. Reflexotherapy is an excellent way to boost the immune system.
• Massage has a positive effect on the glandular activity and the nervous system. Massage promotes deep relaxation, during a massage session you are going to relax even if you don’t want to. Slower, delicate, and calming massage moves are very efficient against intellectual tensions, pain, stress and anxiety. The relaxing effect and the elimination of fatigue are obtained by soothing the endocrine and the nervous systems, positively controlling the levels of hormones. Through carefully selected massage techniques we can stimulate the production of endorphins, while reducing the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
• Increased psychological balance; massage, by stimulating the tactile sense, is the best way to communicate emotional information. Massage fulfills the our need for touch. It is known that regular massage improves emotional well-being, it lowers stress levels and brings mental stability. Other psychological benefits are an enhanced focus and a better concentration.
  An extremely important benefit is the increased awareness of the body, obtained through a massage session. 

Massage Benefits – Conditions Treated

Massage can have a positive impact on almost any condition. However its benefits are most evident for the following condition:

• Dislocations
• Fibromyalgia
• Fractures and edema
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Headaches
• Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and bursitis
• Insomnia
• Kyphosis and Scoliosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Muscle tension and spasm
• Palliative care
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Pregnancy and labor support
• Sports injuries
• Strains and sprains
• Stress and stress related conditions
• Stroke
• Tendinitis
• Whiplash

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