The massage is a great way to relax and loosen muscles. It works by applying pressure to the knots and breaking the adhesions, which separates and loosens the muscle fibers. This helps to elongate and stretch the muscles, releasing tension and allowing for more movement. Restorative massage can be used to treat both superficial and deep muscles, as well as providing a therapeutic effect.
It helps to stretch and relax muscles by encouraging improved blood flow, which increases muscle temperature and allows them to loosen. This decrease in restraint relieves muscle tension, reducing painful contractions and spasms. Massage can also reduce nerve compression, as when muscles contract they can compress the nerves that surround them. When these muscles are relaxed, the nerves are no longer compressed and can get the right nutrients and work more efficiently. Deep tissue massage offers both physical and psychological benefits.
It helps to treat muscle pain and improve stiffness, as well as helping you relax mentally. Physiological effects of massage to relieve tense muscles include increased vasodilation, an increase in temperature and greater tissue elasticity. Swedish massage is more gentle and may be a better option for those with a low pain threshold or looking to relieve tight muscles. With a basic knowledge of how massage works to relieve sore muscles, you can work more closely with your massage therapist to address different problem areas. Massage has been known to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension.
Recent studies have shown that it works differently from NSAIDs and other anti-inflammatory drugs, as it reduces pain but can actually delay healing. It also stimulates mitochondria, the tiny power plants inside cells that convert glucose into energy essential for cell function and repair. Relaxed, loose tissues relieve tense muscles as tension is reduced and restriction is reduced. Feeling sore after a massage is quite common, especially if you've had a deep tissue massage or other type of massage that requires a lot of pressure. Massage can improve symptoms associated with the functioning of both the organ and muscles by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for its rest and relaxation response.
A shortened muscle that has been relaxed and lengthened by massage will still lack the strength to function in that elongated position. While this information is promising, more studies are needed to directly confirm the relationship between massage and serotonin levels in the brain.
