Effect of Massage on the Cardiovascular and Circulatory Systems

Effects of massage on the cardiovascular and circulatory systems
Many of the physical benefits associated with massage are a function
of its ability to increase blood flow to a given area. This action, called
hyperemia, is visible in the reddening of the skin that occurs during
massage. Increasing the blood flow through massage corrects ischemia,
a reduction in blood flow that is associated with a variety of physical
ailments and disorders. Improving or restoring blood flow increases
nutritional delivery, promoting healing and the restoration of damaged
cells and tissues in health clients. Individuals with impaired circulatory
system function are not candidates for circulatory massage.
Healthy clients can see many benefits from circulatory massage;
it normalizes blood pressure and can help maintain fitness of the
cardiovascular system (though it is not a replacement for exercise).
Massage causes vasodilation – dilation of the blood vessels and
capillaries – which is due to the powerful relaxation response induced in
the nervous system through massage. When the practitioner strokes the
tissues toward the heart, the dilated vessels can carry more blood back
through the system, allowing for improved removal of waste products
and toxins and delivery of healing oxygen.
Massage can increase the efficiency of the circulatory system
mechanically in clients who are unable to exercise aerobically. Massage
increases blood flow to body areas in two ways: Through the application
of manual pressure or by stroking the tissues toward the heart. Manual
pressure by the practitioner pushes the blood out of that area. When the
pressure is released, fresh blood rushes back into the tissues. Massage
can encourage arterial circulation (blood flow to the tissues) or venous
circulation (blood flow from the tissues back to the heart). Get your monthly body maintenance massage at ww.indopakmassage.com