Any massage, be it sports therapy or an Ayurvedic spa, affects four systems of a body. Namely,

1. Physical
2. Physiological
3. Neurological
4. Psychological

All four are connected. The skillful movement of the hands of a masseuse creates the first effect, that is, physical which in turn triggers the other three. With every bump, rub, squeeze, or squeeze of the skin, the underlying muscles undergo neurological, functional, or psychological changes.

The body’s response to a massage therapy depends on the type of movement, that is, the technique and the time during which it is performed. The depth, speed, frequency and part of the body being massaged also influence the decision of the scope of the benefits. First, let’s take a look at the physical reactions to a massage.

What are the physical benefits of a body Massage therapy?

The muscles of a body have a lot of flexibility. They can expand and contract to a significant degree. It is the connective tissue around it that limits movement. One way to increase the extensibility of connective tissue is through massage. Continuous kneading or wringing can loosen (as well as stretch) the tissues that are present near the muscles. Also, rigorous movements increase blood circulation in the area and heat it up, which makes the fabric flexible.

When done regularly, massage can cause:

• lengthening of muscle fibers
• changes in connective tissue
• improve flexibility

These physical changes in the body lead to the following advantages:

• The range of motion in the joints of a body increases because the muscles are relaxed.
• Swelling that has occurred due to leakage of blood or other fluids from the vessels and capillaries can be reduced. The massage stimulates the flow of lymph and increases the temperature of the soft tissue, which causes the reabsorption of the filtered fluid and therefore decreases swelling.
• Any muscles that are tight can be relieved with the rubbing action of a massage. Movement stimulates receptors on nerve endings, which can cause muscles to relax or tighten. The effect is reflexive, which means that it occurs automatically in the muscles due to the massage.

What are the psychological reactions of a massage?

Before diving into the psychological benefits of massage, one thing needs to be made clear. The biological or physiological results are deeply related to the mental effects of the therapy. When the muscles relax, a more peaceful state of the brain is automatically achieved. The reverse also applies. When psychological feedback tells us to let go of the tension in the mind, the muscles in the body also relax.

Some of the psychological compensations that can be achieved through massage are:

• relief bread: A massage reduces muscle tension, which decreases pressure on nerve endings, which reduces pain. As some of the pain decreases, the perception of pain is also altered, reducing it even more. The cycle keeps repeating. Therefore, sports therapy is continually used to manage injuries in athletes and speed up rehabilitation.
• Anxiety: The physical relaxation of the body and the relief of pain, therefore, eliminate the anxiety that the body harbors.

What are the biological results of spa therapy?

The effects of a Thai massage are not limited to the brain and physical body. Internal biological functions also see positive results. When massages are performed with pressure and in depth, they compress and release the blood vessels, which increases blood circulation. Even the flow of lymph to the heart can be increased by giving prolonged massages to specific areas of the body. Two techniques by which lymph can be stimulated to flow to the extremities of the body are kneading and deep stroking.

When blood flow in the body increases, the oxygen available to the soft tissues also increases along with the accessibility of nutrients. When lymphatic flow increases, so does the body’s ability to remove waste products from the lymphatic system. The flow of blood and lymph is achieved by stimulating the nerves. This results in the dilation of the blood vessels which leads to more blood circulation, higher temperature, increased elasticity of the muscles, better supply of oxygen and nutrients.

The last benefit of massage is neurological. Through certain movements, a massage therapist can induce reflex actions in the body. These actions have a sedative effect. One such move is rubbing a sore area. The movement stimulated the nerve endings at the site that send the signal to stop the sensation of pain. This happens by blocking the transmission of signals to the spinal cord. In simple terms, a massage decreases pain in the body by affecting the nervous system.

A succinct summary

The gist is that various types of massage can be used to reduce pain, eliminate anxiety, stimulate blood and oxygen flow. It can also be used to reduce swelling and increase range of motion. An excellent body therapy can take you into a relaxed state or make you more active. The effect of a massage is decided according to the physical and mental needs of the person.