dilates the blood vessels, improving the circulation and relieving congestion throughout the body
acts as a "mechanical cleanser" stimulating lymph circulation and hastening the elimination of wastes and toxic debris
increases the number of red blood cells especially in cases of anemia
increases blood supply and nutrition to muscles without adding to their load of toxic lactic acid, produced through voluntary muscle contraction
helps to prevent buildup of harmful "fatigue" products resulting from strenuous exercise or injury.
can compensate, in part, for lack of exercise and muscular contraction in persons who because of injury, illness or age are forced to remain inactive. In these cases, massage helps return venous blood to the heart and so eases the strain on this vital organ
improves muscle tone and helps prevent or delay muscular atrophy resulting from forced inactivity
may have a sedative, stimulating or even exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of massage treatment given
increases the excretion (via the kidneys) of fluids and waste products of protein metabolism, inorganic phosphorus and salt in normal individuals
increases nutrition of the tissues by improving the general circulation. It is accompanied or followed by an increased interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells heightening tissue metabolism
encourages the retention of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur necessary for tissue repair in persons convalescing from bone fractures
improves the circulation and nutrition of joints and hastens the elimination of harmful deposits. It helps lessen inflammation and swelling in joints and so alleviates pain
stretches connective tissue, improves its circulation and nutrition and so breaks down or prevents the formation of adhesions and reduces the danger of fibrosis
helps to reduce edema (or dropsy) of the extremities
disperses the edema following injury to ligaments
makes you feel good!
An excerpt from "Survival into the 21st Century", by Viktoras Kulvinskas:
