| Do you feel that a massage is a luxury and | | | | for others. There is a good deal of evidence that |
| something you should only have as a treat to | | | | massage has beneficial effects in three ways: |
| yourself? Therapeutic massage is certainly a | | | | physically, physiologically, and psychologically. |
| luxury you can enjoy, but it is also a great way | | | | Physically the pressure of the massage on the |
| of relieving pain and promoting range of motion. | | | | skin can loosen stiff muscles. Physiologically it can |
| This article will help you understand what | | | | improve the functioning of the organs. |
| therapeutic massage is, the benefits and the risks | | | | Psychologically it can release endorphins and |
| of receiving a massage. | | | | develop an overall feeling of well-being. |
| More than half of the body is made of muscle | | | | Therapeutic massage can stimulate the body to |
| whose main role is to keep the body moving. | | | | release certain chemicals that help improve your |
| Muscles give the body shape and help to protect | | | | mood, improve circulation and help your body |
| internal organs. The tendons are attached to the | | | | expel toxic substances that build up in the |
| muscles and the muscles are connected to the | | | | muscles. Psychologically a massage can feel |
| brain with nerves. The brain sends the message | | | | pampered and taken care of. It gives a person a |
| to the muscles to move. When the muscle | | | | feeling of self-worth and helps the client connect |
| moves it causes the muscle to contract and that | | | | with another human. The touch and the contact |
| motion pulls the tendon. | | | | are important ingredients to the psychology of a |
| Massage therapy is manipulation of the soft tissue | | | | person's health and welfare. |
| of the body including muscles, connective tissue, | | | | There are many types of therapeutic massage |
| the skin and tendons. Connective tissue is the soft | | | | based on different techniques and focusing on |
| tissues that surround, separate, and connect the | | | | areas of the body that heightens relaxation and |
| different organs and parts of the body. | | | | relieves stress. Many people use massage therapy |
| What can cause muscles and the connecting | | | | as a way to relieve stress and relax stiff and |
| tissue to become stiff and sore? There are many | | | | sore muscles. It can help improve the function of |
| things that can do that: repetitive motions, too | | | | the lymph system helping to move waste |
| much pull on a specific muscle, stress, bad | | | | products out of the body. Massage strengthens |
| posture, surgery, injuries, and even doing nothing | | | | muscles and allows the joints to move more |
| at all and relaxing on the couch can make your | | | | freely. Range of motion is improved and therapy |
| muscles sore and tender. Manipulating soft tissue, | | | | promotes recovery from injuries, fatigue and |
| muscles, and other connective tissues are | | | | minor pain. |
| massaged by applying pressure to parts of the | | | | Massage therapy may increase blood circulation |
| body. | | | | and help boost the immune system. It also is |
| Researchers and scientists are not sure why | | | | great for stimulating the skin and giving it a fresh |
| massage therapy works for some people but not | | | | healthy glow. |