Massage is well known for its psychological benefits. However it also has many physiological benefits that may not be immediately obvious. This article explains the positive benefits that this therapy has to offer the human body.

Massage has been used as a treatment for maintaining good health for thousands of years. The benefits of having massage therapy are numerous.

It can be used to treat many ailments, such as:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Headaches
- Sinusitis
- Insomnia
- Circulatory Disorders
- Stiff muscles
- Posture Imbalances
- Neck and back pain
- Sluggish digestion
- Stress
- Depression and Anxiety
And many more....

Massage can successfully improve the function of your glands, circulation, organs and nerves. It relaxes muscles and sends peace inducing chemicals to your brain. Research suggests that your body's ability to register pain kicks back into place when the skin is rubbed because touch receptors in the skin send nerve impulses to the brain.

There are lots of physiological effects that people may not know about.

Massage can loosen stiff muscles as it works on the soft tissues of the body. A chemical called lactic acid which is produced by over-exerting muscles causes the stiffness. It can build up and this is often why muscles feel sore and tender to touch. Other waste products such as urea can also be present.

your body disperses these chemicals through the lymphatic system. Lymph is a clear liquid substance that moves these toxins around the body to the nearest lymph nodes, where they can be filtered and removed. It normally travels around the body by muscle contraction, however, massage can speed up the process significantly. There is even a specialist type of massage therapy called Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Poor lymph flow can lead to lower immunity, low- grade infections and a general feeling of poor health.

The effects of massage on your circulatory system are very positive. It speeds up the movement of blood from the heart to the outer parts of the body. Massage can lower blood pressure because blood is moving around the body with less help from its pump- the heart. Circulation increases because your blood vessels dilate. This means more oxygen and nutrients can enter the cells all over your body. Oxygen levels can increase by up to 15%. It is sometimes used in hospitals for people that are bedridden as it stimulates the flow of blood.

Having massage over your abdomen can improve

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