Benefits of Massage
 
The benefits of massage rely on the body's response to various massage strokes.  These strokes have the ability to physiologically affect the circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, excretory, nervous, endocrine, and digestive systems.  Some of these benefits have been documented through scientific experimentation, while others are based on observational documentation or anecdotal evidence.
 
While massage is beneficial for many conditions, some contraindications do exist.  It is important that you inform your therapist about any conditions you may have.
Circulatory System
  • Massage improves circulation by mechanically assisting venous blood flow back to the heart.
  • Massage reflexively dilates blood vessels, increasing circulation, and lowering blood pressure.
  • Massage enhances the delivery and removal of substances in the blood, such as oxygen, nutrients, and waste products.
  • Massage increases the number of red blood cells circulating in the body by promoting the spleens discharge of red blood cells, by stimulating visceral circulation, and by stimulating stagnant capillary beds.
  • Massage boosts the production of white blood cells, enhancing immunity.
  • Massage reduces ischemia (a decrease in blood supply to a particular area, a major cause of muscular pain).
Lymphatic System
  • Massage reduces swelling, by mechanically stimulating lymphatic circulation, allowing fluid that has become trapped in the tissues to return to the blood stream.
  • Massage enhances the activity of certain lymphocytes.
Integumentary System
  • Massage stimulates the sebaceous glands of the skin, improving its condition, texture and tone.
  • Massage stimulates vasomotor activity in the skin, bringing added nutrients to theses tissues.
  • Massage helps to reduce excessive scar tissue formation.
Nervous System
  • Massage activates sensory receptors, and can either stimulate or soothe the nervous system.
  • Massage can stimulate the release of neurochemicals, such as endorphins, the body's natural pain-killers.
  • Massage can interfere with the transmission of nociceptive (pain) information, decreasing the perception of pain.
  • Research shows that individuals who received regular massage showed an increase in delta wave activity and decreased beta wave activity in the brain, and performed better on math tests.
  • Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and repose system), promoting overall relaxation, and improved sleep patterns.
  • Massage has been shown in numerous studies to decrease the production of stress hormones, such as norepinephrine and cortisol, through the activation of the relaxation response.
  • Massage recipients show increased levels of dopamine and serotonin, suggesting a decrease in stress levels and depression.
  • Massage promotes general homeostasis by promoting autonomic nervous system functioning.
  • Massage reduces the levels of substance p in the body, a neurotransmitter believed to be responsible for the transmission of pain signals.
 
 
Muscular System
  • Massage alleviates restrictions in the muscles, tension, stiffness, and spasms, by directly affecting specialized receptors that are responsible for regulating the length of the muscles.
  • Massage helps to increase muscle length and flexibility.
  •  Massage helps to improve the resiliency of the muscles.
  • Massage helps to reduce muscle fatigue and soreness by enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery, while promoting the elimination of waste products.
  • Massage interrupts the pain/spasm cycle by relieving muscle spasms.
  • Massage helps to break up scar tissue adhesions that form after injury, improving range of motion and decreasing the likelihood of re-injury.
Skeletal System
  • When applied locally to stabilized fractures, massage can enhance the retention of nutrients in bones.
  • Massage can help to improve posture by freeing up fascial restrictions in the body.
Respiratory System
  • Massage can reduce tension in respiratory muscles and fascia, allowing for fuller, deeper breathing.
  • Massage can help to loosen and discharge phlegm.
Digestiive System
  • Massage helps to promote peristalsis, the rhythmic contractions that gently move products through intestines.
  • massage promotes the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates digestion.
Urinary and Excretory System
  • By stimulating dormant capillary beds, and by recovering lymphatic fluids for filtration, massage helps to increase urinary output.
  • Massage promotes to excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorous and sodium chloride.
Psychological Benefits
  • Massage relaxes the body and mind, reducing stress and anxiety.
  • Massage enhances a sense of well-being and body awareness.
  • Massage has been shown to have a calming effect on those suffering from ADHD.
  • Massage increases mental alertness, by reducing unwanted stress.
  • Massage has been shown to decrease feelings of depression in adolescents.
  • Many people report a sense of renewed energy after receiving a massage.
 
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JM Therapeutics
2949 Garnet Ave, 3rd Floor
San Diego, CA  92109
(619) 889-9912
Therapeutic Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, and Reiki