Any massage, be it a sports therapy or an Ayurvedic spa, effects four systems of one 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 each blow, rub, squeeze, or compression of the skin, the muscles underneath undergo neurological, functional, or psychological changes.

The body’s response to massage therapy depends on the type of movement, that is, the technique and the time during which it is performed. Depth, speed, frequency, and the part of the body that is massaged also influence the extent of 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 connecting fabric around it that limits movement. One way to increase the extensibility of connective tissue is through massage. Continuous kneading or twisting can loosen (in addition to stretching) the tissues that are present near the muscles. In addition, rigorous movements increase blood circulation in the area and warm it, which makes the tissue flexible.

When done regularly, massage can cause:

• Muscle fiber lengthening

• Changes in connective tissue

• Improve flexibility

These physical changes in the body have the following advantages:

• The range of motion in a body’s joints increases because the muscles are relaxed.

• It can reduce swelling that has occurred due to leakage of blood or other fluids from vessels and capillaries. The massage stimulates the flow of lymph and increases the temperature of the soft tissues, which causes the reabsorption of the filtered liquid and, therefore, reduces the swelling.

• Any muscle that is holding tension can be relieved with the action of a massage. Movement stimulates receptors present in nerve endings, which can result in muscle relaxation or tension. The effect is reflective, which means that it occurs automatically in the muscles due to massage.

What are the psychological reactions to a massage?

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

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

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

What are the biological results of spa therapy?

The effects of a Thai massage are not limited to the brain and the physical body. Internal biological functions also see positive results. When the massages are performed with pressure and in depth, they compress and release the blood vessels which increases blood circulation. Even the lymphatic flow 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 deep kneading and stroking.

When the 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, the body’s ability to remove waste products from the lymphatic system also increases. The flow of blood and lymph is achieved by stimulating the nerves. This results in the dilation of the blood vessels which leads to increased 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 masseuse can induce reflex actions in the body. These actions have a sedative effect. One of those movements is rubbing a painful area. The movement stimulated the nerve endings in the place that send the signal to stop the pain sensation. This happens by blocking the transmission of signals to the spinal cord. In simple terms, a massage reduces pain in the body by affecting the nervous system.

A succinct summary

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