The Health Benefits of Massage
Massage was first described in China in the second century B.C.
By Dr. Rick Magly (Originally published in Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine)
Massage is the systematic movement of tissue to enhance health and healing. Our sense of touch is highly developed and is a very powerful influence on the function of many body systems.
Massaging a newborn assists the genitourinary and digestive systems and provides balance to the autonomic nervous system which controls involuntary functions.
Massage was first described in China in the second century B.C. and reported in India and Egypt soon after to prevent and treat diseases. Massage therapy was part of traditional medicine but fell out of favor in the 1940's when pharmaceutical therapy became the rage. In recent decades, massage has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. The American Nurses Association recognizes massage therapy as a subspecialty.
Positive effects of massage have been documented for increased circulation, enhanced venous return, reduced blood pressure and heart rate, increased lymphatic flow, improved immune function, increased wound healing, stress reduction, increased T-cell production, enhanced nutrient distribution, and removal of metabolic waste.
Massage counters damage of chronic stress, decreases oxygen consumption and metabolic rate, increases alpha brain waves associated with deep relaxation, reduces blood lactates, decreases muscle tension, increases blood flow to extremities, decreases anxiety and cortisol levels, and improves sleep.
Massage increases the release of endorphins and enkephalins, and exfoliation, helps normalize sebaceous glands, adds moisture to the skin from massage oils, improves pliability of facia (continuous sheath surrounding muscle tissue), decreases adhesions, increases flexibility, improves tissue function, helps prevent fibrosis, helps loosen scar tissue, increased joint mobility and range of motion, stimulates parasympathetic nervous system promoting relaxation, reduces pain, stiffness, and soreness, increases body awareness resulting in fewer injuries.
Massage balances hormones, decreases blood sugar, relieves of trigger points, improves reflexes and digestion, decreases indigestion, constipation, and ulcers, promotes weight gain in premature babies, helps with tendon and ligament injuries, helps growth and development in infants and children especially in the brain, nerves, immune system and reflexes, increases mental clarity and feelings of general well being, increases focus, concentration, attention span, and retention, and increases awareness of body/mind connection.
The first rule of therapeutic massage is to Do No Harm. There are endangerment sites, areas of the body where delicate structures are less protected and may be easily damaged. Areas include the armpits, kidneys, belly button, groin area, back of the knees, front of the neck, and eye cavities.
Massage should not be performed when a client: feels ill or nauseated, is in severe pain, has a fever over 100*, has a serious injury, has a contagious condition like rash, boils, open wounds, infection, etc., has an illness that may be spread through the lymphatic or circulatory systems such as lymphoma, melanoma, or swollen glands.
Massage should not be performed in areas of acute whiplash, inflammation, other trauma, or where there is bleeding into tissues for the first 48 hours after initial injury. Extra caution is required in areas of abnormal sensation as with deep vein thrombosis, phlebitis, varicose veins, severe arteriosclerosis, stroke, diabetes, medication side effects, paralysis, and edema.
Other conditions requiring caution include recent surgery, artificial joints, severe rheumatoid arthritis, weakened immune system, low blood pressure, osteoporosis, or skin conditions that may be spread by massage.
Massage can be part of a lifelong wellness program from before birth in the womb to death. Massage brings balance to the physical and psychological areas of health, promoting a greater sense of well-being.