|
- --cause changes in the blood.
The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after
massage.
- --affect muscles throughout
the body. Massage can help loosen contracted, shortened muscles
and can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles. This muscle
"balancing" can help posture and promote more efficient
movement. Massage does not directly increase muscle strength, but
it can speed recovery from the fatigue that occurs after exercise.
In this way, it can be possible to do more exercise and training,
which in the long run strengthens muscles and improves
conditioning. Massage also provides a gentle stretching action to
both the muscles and connective tissues that surround and
support the muscles and many other parts of the body, which
helps keep these tissues elastic.
- --increase the body's
secretions and excretions. There is a proven increase in the
production of gastric juices, saliva, and urine. There is also
increased excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and sodium
chloride (salt). This suggests that the metabolic rate (the
utilization of absorbed material by the body's cells) increases.
- --affect the nervous system.
Massage balances the nervous system by soothing or stimulating it,
depending on which effect is needed by the individual at the time
of the massage.
- --enhance skin condition.
Massage directly improves the function of the sebaceous
(oil) and sweat glands which keep the skin lubricated, clean,
cooled. Tough, inflexible skin can become softer and more supple.
- --affect internal organs. By
indirectly or directly stimulating nerves that supply internal
organs, blood vessels of these organs dilate and allow greater
blood supply to them.
|
