Physiological effect of massage on the human body

Two factors define the physiological effect of massage on humans:1. The local or mechanical factor is expressed by mechanical acceleration of venous blood drainage, some degree of lymph drainage acceleration, passive exercise for soft tissues, breaking down deposits of calcium in soft tissue and stimulation of its removal from the body.

2. The main power of massage therapy is in reflexive therapy. By mobilizing skin, connective and muscular tissue, we deform the mechano-receptors, which in turn release action potentials/impulses. Through neurological pathways these electrical impulses stimulate motor and vasomotor centers. As a reflex, or involuntary reaction of organs and systems to original stimuli, the body responds by expressing positive changes such as: muscular relaxation, vasadilation, reduction of blood pressure, reduction of stress hormones production, etc.

To ensure that we achieve the most profound physiological effect on the body of the client, massage should be performed as deep as possible. The deeper we massage, the more we stimulate the nervous centers, and the faster and to a greater degree the reflexive therapeutic effects occur, the greater would be the production of endorphin and the greater affect of all other positive factors listed earlier.

Note that deep tissue mobilization does not require excessive pressure. Pressure should be significant but shouldn’t activate pain analyzing system, which could be recognized by two different factors:

1. Muscular protective spasm as a response to excessive pressure.

2. Client’s reports “too much pressure” even in absence of the protective muscular spasm.

Note:In order to achieve successful results in any type of massage, 50 percent of the procedure time should be spent on kneaduing. If you would like to get familiar with the proper way to perform kneading and to learn 12 petrissage techniques, utilized in Medical Massage please

REFERENCES

Goldberg, J ., Sullivan, S.J., Seabome, D.E. The Art of Stone Healing. Boca Raton, CRC, 2005.
Fleck D., Jochum L. The Effect of Two Intensities of Massage of H-Re?ex Amplitude. Phys. Ther., 1992, 72(6): 449-457

Bodhise PB, Dejoie M, Brandon Z, Simpkins S, Ballas SK. Non-pharmacologic management of sickle cell pain. Hematology, Jun;9(3):235-7, 2004
Dubrovsky V.I., Dubrovsky, N.M. Massage Manual.‘Chuvashia’, Cheboksari, 1995
Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Cleland JA, Cuadrado ML, Pareja JA. Predictor variables for identifying patients with chronic tension-type headache who are likely to achieve short-term success with muscle trigger point therapy. Cephalalgia, Mar;28(3):264-75, 2008
Garvey TA, Marks MR, Wiesel SW. A prospective, randomized, double-blind evaluation of trigger-point injection therapy for low-back pain. Spine(Phila Pa 1976), Sep;14(9):962-4, 1989
Huldicka O., Broqwn M.D. Physical forces and angiogenesis. In: Mechanoreception by vascular walls. Edited by G.M. Rubani. ‘Futura Publishing Company, Inc.’ Mount Kisko, NY 1983
Krogh A. The Anatomy and Physiology of Capillaries. ‘Yale University Press’, New Haven, 1929
Kuprivan W. Physical Therapy for Sports. “W.B. Sandesr Co”, Philadelphia, 1995
Kurz W, Wittlinger G, Litmanovitch YI, Romanoff H, Pfeifer Y, Tal E, Sulman FG. Effect of manual lymph drainage massage on urinary excretion of neurohormones and minerals in chronic lymphedema. Angiology, Oct;29(10):764-72 1978
Lakin G.F. Biomatria. ‘Medicina’, Moscow, 1990
Lather I., Bevan J.A. Stretch-dependent myogenic tone in isolated blood vessel. In: Mechanoreception by vascular walls. Edited by G.M. Rubani. ‘Futura Publishing Company, Inc.’ Mount Kisko, NY 1983
Montanez-Aguilera FJ, Valtuena-Gimeno N, Pecos-Martin D, Arnau-Masanet R, Barrios-Pitarque C, Bosch-Morell F. Changes in a patient with neck pain after application of ischemic compression as a trigger point therapy. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil., 23(2):101-4, 2010
Morhenn VB. Firm stroking of human skin leads to vasodilation possibly due to the release of substance P. J Dermatol Sci., Feb;22(2):138-44, 2000
Otsuki A, Fujita E, Ikegawa S, Kuno-Mizumura M.Muscle Oxygenation and Fascicle Length During Passive Muscle Stretching in Ballet-Trained Subjects. Int J Sports Med., 2011
Pick F. Verhandlungen des Kongress fuer Innere Medizine. XX, Weibaden, 1907
Smith JD, Davies N, Willis AI, Sumpio BE, Zilla P.Cyclic stretch induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelium, 8(1):41-8, 2001
Von Mosiengeil Uber Massage, deren Technik Wirkung und Indikationen.Arch. F Klin, Chiurgie, 19:2-4, 1876
Wakim K.G. Martin G.M., Terrier J.C., Elkins E.C., Krusen F.N. The effect of Massage on the Circulation in Normal and Paralyzed Extremities. Arch Phys Med, Mar, 135-144, 1949
Yang W, Chen J, Zhou L. Effects of shear stress on intracellular calcium change and histamine release in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells.Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 28(3):223-30, 2009
Goldberg, J ., Seaborne, D.E., Sullivan S.J., Leduc, B.E. The Effect of Therapeutic Massage on H-Re?ex Amplitude in Persons with a Spinal Cord Injury. Phys. Ther., 1994, 74(8): 728-737
Morelli M, Chapman CE, Sullivan SJ. Do cutaneous receptors contribute to the changes in the amplitude of the H-reflex during massage?Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol.1999 Oct-Dec;39(7):441-7
Turchaninov, R. Therapeutic Massage. A Scientific Approach. 2000, Aesculapius Books, Phoenix

3 thoughts on “Physiological effect of massage on the human body”

Pingback: The power of massage - Medical Massage

Boris, this information is worth
a million bucks! Omgoodness, I am totally fascinated! Thank you for sharing!

Wooow! This information is worth a million dollars, Boris!! I love reading about how to work on a client in the deepest way! I am completely fascinated by this read! Thank you for sharing this! I also just read the History of Medical Massage. Another fascinating read! I look forward to learning more and using this information to be a help to changing people’s health conditions. Thank youuuu!!!

Comments are closed.