How a massage can boost your health

There is no doubt that a good massage can relieve your stress and make you feel good.

Now, new research suggests that it can also help you maintain good health.

Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reported last week that a single massage produced measurable changes in the immune system and endocrine system of healthy adults.

They studied 29 healthy adults who received a 45-minute vigorous Swedish massage and 24 healthy adults who had a 45-minute session of light touch massage.

The researchers, led by Dr. Mark Rapaport, took blood samples before the massage began and at regular intervals up to one hour after the massage was completed.

The study found several changes in the blood tests of the Swedish Massage group that indicated a benefit to the immune system.

The vigorous massage caused sizeable decreases in arginine vasopressin, a hormone that contributes to aggressive behaviour and Small decreases in the stress hormone cortisol.

The participants in this group also had an increase in lymphocytes, cells that help the immune system defend the body from harmful substances.

Log Angeles Times

Excepts from The Straits Times Mind Your Body Pg 30 Health Bite dated September 16, 2010

f) Vibration

Vibration is defined as rapid muscular contractions of the therapist’s arms being transmitted through the fingers or palms to produce a shaking-type movement. Vibrations are normally applied on areas overlying muscular motor points.
Effects:

• Increases blood circulation


• Stimulates localized nerve endings

e) Tapotement

Tapotement are sometimes defined as percussion-type movement which can be light tapping to beating movements applied in a brisk fashion. The whole hand or part of the hand can be used depending on the type of tapotement movement being given. E.g. Cupping, hacking, and tapping. It can be applied to areas of poor circulation, lymphatic drainage or muscle tone
Effects:

• Very stimulating
• Produces localized heat
• Stimulates muscle fibers
• Increases cellular activities

d) Frictions

Frictions or Deep Tissue Strokes, are deep and focused, these friction movement makes use of thumbs, fingertips or heels of hand to reach right down into the tissue to where more hidden tensions may lie. Having soothed and relaxed your partner with the broader, lighter gliding and medium-depth strokes, you now penetrate below the superficial muscle layers or work around the joints with deep tissue strokes. Use your body weight to add depth to your pressure, allowing your hand to remain strong but relaxed. E.g. Thumb-rolling, heel of hand pressure, Fingertip Pressure.
Effects:

• To relief deeply hidden tension tissues.

c) Kneading

Kneading (one of the petrissage movement) is applied only when the muscles have been warmed up with soothing strokes. Lift and squeeze a bunch of flesh in one hand and roll it toward the other hand. Bring the fingers and thumbs together and raising the muscle. When one hand releases its hold the other starts to gather a new handful. Don’t lift the hands off the body between strokes; rock smoothly from hand to hand, as if you were kneading dough.
Effects:

• Loosen up the network of muscles.

b) Petrissage

Petrissage can be defined as pressure movement. The movements consist of repeatedly grasping and releasing the tissues with one or both hands in a lifting, rolling or pressing fashion. Petrissage movements (kneading, lifting wringing strokes) are often named according to the part of the hand used and include palmer kneading, palmer lifting, wringing, thumb kneading, finger kneading, skin rolling and picking up.
Effects:

• Helps venous circulation


• Increases lymphatic flow


• Improves absorption of substances within the tissues


• Loosens adherent tissues


• Moves the tissues over bone

Swedish Massage movements and their effects: a) Effleurage

Effleurage can be defined as a stroking movement in the direction of venous return (working in the direction of the heart) involving the passage of the hand or part of the hand over the skin. It is a smooth, sliding movement which soothes the skin and distributes the oil. The hand should be firm to the area being treated and the fingers and thumbs should be kept together. It is important that the pressure is constant and even through out the movement. The pressure will vary depending on the area being treated.
Effects:

• Helps venous circulation and return to the heart
• Helps lymphatic circulation
• Speeds the absorption or waste materials
• Promotes relaxation
• Enables the client to become accustomed to the therapist’s hand

Swedish Massage

Soothing and relaxing Massage involves a systematic and therapeutic blend of gliding strokes - Effleurage;
Petrissage – kneading and wringing;
Friction;
Tapotement – hacking and cupping;
Vibration and pressing the soft tissues of the entire body in order to induce a state of total relaxation. Treating the circulatory system and improving posture, both considered crucial to body health.