Have you ever wondered WHY massage works?
It all relates to our Central Nervous System, specifically the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems.
The Sympathetic Nervous System – “Fight or Flight”
- Mobilizes the body to take action
- Muscles tighten
- Heart rate increases
- Respiration increases
- Adrenaline and cortisol are released into the bloodstream
The Parasympathetic Nervous System – “Rest and Digest”
- Homoeostasis is restored
- Heart rate decreases
- Respiration decreases
- Vessels dilate
- Increased oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues
Chronic illness and pain literally create a fight-or-flight situation within our bodies. The goal of massage is to:
- Relax the central nervous system, which then relaxes the body
- Massage allows us to rest and engages the parasympathetic nervous system allowing:
- Heart rate and respiration to decrease
- Vessels dilate allowing increased oxygen and nutrients or organs and tissues
- Homeostasis returns
- Increased endorphins – serotonin and dopamine – are a common benefit of massage
- When these hormones increase, we feel relaxed with a sense of well-being
- Skin-to-skin contact increases temperature, which allows muscles to relax
If you’ve had a massage, you understand the relaxing benefits. I hope this brief explanation helps you understand WHY it works.
Questions? Comments? Would LOVE to hear from you.
Warmly,