Athena Vale
Massage is a popular way to relax and de-stress, but it can also have a number of benefits for the body, including stimulating the muscles. Massage can increase blood flow, reduce muscle tension and neurological excitability, and increase a person's sense of well-being. It can also help to increase muscle compliance, resulting in a greater range of joint motion and decreased stiffness. Massage can also have a positive effect on the respiratory system, helping to open up the airways and reduce blood pressure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Increased blood flow | Mechanical pressure increases arteriolar pressure and muscle temperature |
| Reduced muscle tension | Mechanical pressure increases muscle compliance |
| Increased range of joint motion | Decreased passive stiffness and active stiffness |
| Increased sense of well-being | Decreased neurological excitability |
| Relaxed muscles, tendons and ligaments | Superficial layers of muscles are released, which can also affect deeper layers |
| Stimulating movements | Cupping, hacking, beating and pounding are vigorous tapotement moves that can help with chest congestion |
| Relaxing movements | A back massage can slow the breath and encourage deep breathing, reducing blood pressure |
| Release of myokines or extracellular vesicles | This can impart physiologically meaningful outcomes |
| Removal of inflammatory cytokines | Enhances the process of muscle fibre regeneration |
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What You'll Learn
Massage can increase blood flow
Massage can produce mechanical pressure, which is expected to increase muscle compliance, resulting in an increased range of joint motion, decreased passive stiffness and decreased active stiffness. Mechanical pressure might help to increase blood flow by increasing the arteriolar pressure, as well as increasing muscle temperature from rubbing.
The effect on the respiratory system will differ depending on the type of massage technique applied. Stimulating movements such as cupping, hacking, beating and pounding are all vigorous tapotement moves and are stimulating. This can be really beneficial for those with chest congestion, as these stimulating moves will help to loosen phlegm and open up the airways. Meanwhile, a relaxing back massage will have effects on the nervous system and in turn cause the breath to slow and encourage deep breathing, with the added potential for reducing blood pressure.
Massage to skeletal muscle may also release myokines or extracellular vesicles that impart physiologically meaningful outcomes. It has been found that massage can help injured muscles heal faster and stronger. This process also removes inflammatory cytokines released by neutrophils from the muscles, enhancing the process of muscle fibre regeneration.
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Massage can reduce muscle tension
Massage can also have a positive effect on the nervous system, reducing neurological excitability and encouraging deep breathing, which can help to reduce blood pressure. This can be beneficial for those with chest congestion, as stimulating moves will help to loosen phlegm and open up the airways.
Massage can also help to release myokines or extracellular vesicles, which can have a positive impact on the body. Research has also shown that massage can help to remove inflammatory cytokines released by neutrophils from the muscles, enhancing the process of muscle fibre regeneration.
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Massage can reduce stiffness
Massage can also help to reduce stiffness by relaxing muscles, tendons and ligaments. This can lead to better alignment and balance in both superficial and deep tissues.
The effect of massage on stiffness can also depend on the type of massage technique applied. Stimulating movements such as cupping, hacking, beating and pounding are all vigorous tapotement moves that can help to loosen phlegm and open up the airways. On the other hand, a relaxing back massage will have effects on the nervous system, causing the breath to slow and encouraging deep breathing, which can also help to reduce blood pressure.
There is also evidence that massage can help to release myokines or extracellular vesicles that impart physiologically meaningful outcomes. For example, massage has been shown to enhance the process of muscle fibre regeneration by removing inflammatory cytokines released by neutrophils from the muscles.
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Massage can increase muscle temperature
The effects of massage on the body are well documented. Massage can relax muscles, tendons and ligaments, and the release of superficial layers of muscles can also affect deeper layers, leading to better alignment and balance. Massage can also be used to treat chest congestion, as stimulating movements such as cupping, hacking, beating and pounding help to loosen phlegm and open up the airways.
Massage has also been shown to have a positive effect on muscle recovery and injury prevention. Massage can help to remove inflammatory cytokines released by neutrophils from the muscles, enhancing the process of muscle fibre regeneration. It has been found to double the rate of muscle regeneration and reduce tissue soreness.
Massage can also be beneficial for the nervous system. A relaxing back massage can cause the breath to slow and encourage deep breathing, which has the potential to reduce blood pressure.
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Massage can reduce pain
Massage can also reduce pain by releasing myokines or extracellular vesicles, which have been shown to have a positive impact on the body. It can also remove inflammatory cytokines, enhancing muscle fibre regeneration.
The type of massage technique applied can also have an impact on pain reduction. Stimulating movements such as cupping, hacking, beating and pounding can help to loosen phlegm and open up the airways, which is beneficial for those with chest congestion. On the other hand, a relaxing back massage can slow the breath and encourage deep breathing, which has the potential to reduce blood pressure.
Massage can also help to reduce pain by improving the alignment and balance of both superficial and deep tissues. This can have a positive knock-on effect on the organs, as they share neurological pain pathways with muscles, bones and nerves.
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Frequently asked questions
Massage stimulates the muscles by increasing blood flow, reducing muscle tension and neurological excitability, and increasing muscle temperature.
Massage can help to reduce muscle tension by increasing blood flow and reducing neurological excitability.
Yes, massage can help to increase the range of joint motion by reducing passive and active stiffness.
Yes, massage can help to reduce pain by relaxing muscles, tendons and ligaments, and by improving the alignment and balance of the body.
Yes, massage can help to open up the airways and reduce blood pressure, which can improve respiratory function.
