Circulatory System includes the blood, heart, blood vessels and lymph. Mechanically, massage acts like an auxiliary heart.
- Improves metabolism, i.e., exchange and utilization of nutrients in the body and removal of waste.
- Increases blood flow 10 times, especially venous return flow
- Raises red blood cell count by 40-50%.
- Increases leukocytes in blood, which fight infection.
- Awakens dormant capillaries, which grow, expand and increase
- Increases the movement of oxygen carbon dioxide, red and white blood cells, salts and solids.
as a part of the circulatory system, helps circulate fluid in the body.
- Increases lymph flow 25 times, since flow depends on the movement of the muscle.
- Helps reduce edema
- Helps bed-ridden, aged, and those on the verge of illness by moving lymph.
Musculo-skeletal System
includes contractile tissue and bone.
- Moves lactic acid and toxins out of tissue.
- Creates expansion in tissue, allowing nutrients to pour in from arteries and capillaries.
- Assists the over-active person who doesn't allow enough time for relaxation by moving both wastes and nutrients through the tissue.
- Aids the under-active person by it's "milking" effect on the muscles.
- Shortens recovery time for athletes.
- Mechanically balances muscle metabolism.
- Removes adhesions after injuries
- Allows tendons and ligaments to move more freely by removing fibrous tissue.
- Keeps muscles from atrophying after injury.
Respiratory System
- Increases the rate of exchange of gases in the cells.
- Increases by 5 times the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Eases breathing difficulties by loosening mucus.
- Can mechanically alter the position of the diaphragm.
Digestive System
includes all the visceral organs responsible for digestion and assimilation.
- Mechanically facilitates the emptying of the stomach.
- Opens the iliocecal valve.
- Stimulates peristalsis.
- Increase the rate of digestion in both small and large intestines.
- Increase the rate of blood flow through the hepatic portal system, thereby increasing the flow of sugars (glycogen) from the liver to the stomach.
- Increase the flow of bile for the digestion of fats.
- Affects the pyloric valve.
- Influences by reflex the parasympathetic nervous system that relaxes the digestive process. This in turn increases energy in the body, since nutrients can be more easily released and assimilated.
Elimination System
includes the skin, colon, kidneys and breath.
- Directly affects the skin, promoting increased secretion of perspiration and oil.
- Softens and elasticizes skin.
- Desensitizes skin to pain.
- Changes the relationship of the epidermis and superficial fascia to the underlying muscles.
- Mechanically moves colonic waste.
- Moves retained fluids through the abdomen into the kidneys and bladder.
- Increases by reflex, diuresis in the kidneys.
Nervous System
includes the brain, spinal, and peripheral nerves.
- Influences the entire nervous system directly through the skin and touch.
- Excites the nervous system (percussion).
- Mechanically and by reflex influences ganglia. I
- nfluences the entire body/mind through touch, nurturing intimacy and clear healing intention.
Reproductive System
may be indirectly influenced through the endocrine system.
As the hypothalamus receives sensory information from massage it in turn affects the pituitary gland, which governs the release of hormones. Massage also mechanically relaxes the uterus.
Endocrine System
is indirectly influenced according to the effects of massage in the brain and nervous system. Massage may promote the release of endorphins.
Integumentary System
includes the skin, hair, and nails. Massage promotes greater elasticity, tone and glow by increasing circulation and altering the relationship of the dermal and fascial layers to one another.
