• Effect of Massage on Different Body Parts

  Filed under Effect of massage on human body
  Nov 15

   

  Skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue

  Under the effect of massage, the patient’s skin cleans from squamous epidermal layer of the skin surface and secretions produced in glands (after full opening of outflow ducts of the skin and fat glands), resulting in improved blood flow in the coating of tissue, its better trophic function, accelerated metabolism and regenerative processes. Improvement in blood flow causes the loss of tissue edema, there are no opportunities for material to accumulate in the cellular tissue of the skin and subcutaneous layer, therefore pale, wilted and dry skin becomes pink, elastic and soft. Massage increases the influence of skin resistance to mechanical and temperature changes. During massage the mechanical energy is converted into thermal, so the skin and subcutaneous tissue temperature rises, more blood gets into the body part massaged. Blood supply to skin and subcutaneous cellular tissue improves and at the same time causes improvement of the whole organism metabolism. It was found that massage decreases fat reserves, but not directly affecting fatty tissue, but influencing a general, whole body metabolism with massage actions.

  Cardio-vascular and lymphatic system

  Metabolic process takes place in capillary between blood and tissues. Through the walls of the capillaries, oxygen and nutrients go from blood to tissues. From the tissue carbon dioxide and decomposition products pass into the blood. This process is accelerated significantly under the influence of massage.

  First of all, massage affects the skin capillaries, which are the largest reflexogenic area of cardiovascular system. Therefore, the skin capillary expansion during massage affects the whole body tissue metabolism, trophic and regenerative functions.

  During massage the reserve skin capillaries open as well, which improves the venous blood drain, as well as speeds up the removal of unnecessary metabolism products. These materials form during metabolism and sweating. For that reason stagnation in blood vessels appears to be less likely and tissue swelling decreases.

  Massage increases the quantity of hemoglobin, red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes in the blood. This process is particularly striking in case of anemia.

  Massage also improves heart functions and also the tone is normalized in large and small arteries and veins.

  Massage affects the lymphatic system as well. Lymph is the connective tissue between the blood and tissue cells. It constantly swashes each cell, therefore metabolism of materials in tissues and blood is carried out through lymph. As a result, acceleration of lymph circulation during a massage provides most favorable conditions for these processes.

  It is necessary to mention that the lymphatic apparatus performs a defensive function for organism. Thanks to it the lymph nodes keep a wide range of micro-organisms intercepted.
  During infection the lymph nodes typically increase and become painful. Their skin becomes red and hot thus painful to touch. In this case it is not allowed to massage, as the faster lymphatic leak creates conditions for the spread of infection throughout the body.

  Muscular system and the joint-connective apparatus

  Under the influence of massage the elasticity of muscle fibers increases, their contraction function improves, muscle atrophy is prevented, conditions for better blood and lymph circulation in muscles, while at the same time for muscle cell metabolism and their nutritional and regenerative functions are provided. Massage helps to even out scars and skin roughness. Massage procedures are recognized as particularly necessary in cases of slow paresis and paralysis.

  Mild, not long massage quicker restores the functionality of tired muscles than passive, short rest.

  Under the effect of massage, blood circulation within the joint and soft tissue layers surrounding it improves and the durability of synovial capsules and connecting ligaments increases, faster transportation of pathological products from joints is encouraged and the joints become more agile. Since the blood supply to the joint surrounding tissue improves and because of the constant crumpling and stretching (massaging) of these tissues disparities disappear (accretions and scars) and thus functional properties of joint improve.

  Nervous system

  Nervous system records the patient’s mechanical skin irritation before other organ systems. Applying various massage actions, alternating their intensity and duration, it is possible to affect the functional status of cerebral cortex or to increase the hyper excitability of the central nervous system by enhancing and revitalizing the reflexes inhibited. Thus, the improved feeding of nerve fibers and their provision and oxygenation also facilitates nerve impulse transmission to the branches of these fibers. Subjective sensations recorded by patients when correct massage actions, massage techniques and technology are applied and precisely determined duration of the procedure is used are described as a heat illuminating pleasantly throughout the body, the overall improvement of well-being, increased tone and apparently strengthened overall physical condition of the body. If the massage is done incorrectly it can lead to a general body weakness, unpleasant (depressing) feeling of fatigue, irritability, heart “beating”, pain, dizziness, and so on.

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