Massage for health and fitness by Elliot Greene

MASSAGE IS KNOWN TO:

- 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.
As a result, 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.

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