How Can Massage Therapy Improve Your Circulation?

Anyone who has had massage therapy or even just a deep massage to help aching muscles knows how great they feel afterwards. If there were to be a list of the top three things that relax us, makes us feel great, and has health benefits, massage therapy would be on it.

So why is it that massage therapy helps us to feel so good? Without a doubt, massage therapy helps to increase blood circulation. Ancient Greeks believed that a daily massage was an amazing way to ensure maintaining good health.

There are specific massages that boost circulation to the extremities. Good circulation is essential to good health because when our circulation is where it needs to be, then our circulatory system delivers oxygen-rich blood and nutrients that is required to heal.

Everyone has experienced those moments of inactivity when our hands or feet get cold; this is because of the lack of circulation. Having this happen once in a while is fine, but if this occurs on a regular basis it could be the warning of something more severe such as blocked arteries.

Therapeutic massage can increase the circulation of blood as well as the flow of lymph. The stimulation of nerve receptors causes blood vessels to dilate and this facilitates blood flow. Lymph is a milky white fluid that takes impurities and waste away from the tissues and passes through the lymphatic system which acts as a filtering valve. Lymph does not circulate the same as blood so its movement largely depends on the squeezing effect of muscle contractions. On one hand, inactive people are unable to stimulate lymph flow yet on the other hand the stimulation caused by activity can be outstripped by the increased waste produced by the activity. Fortunately, massage can help the movement of lymph either way.

It goes without saying; our entire body needs to be healthy. Every cell in our body is dependent on an abundant supply of blood and lymph because these fluids deliver nutrients and oxygen and remove wastes and toxins. Without good circulation there is potential trouble.

Buttocks And Backs Of Legs

A  sluggish lymphatic system and circulation can greatly improve with a therapeutic massage to the backs of the legs and buttocks. The movement of lymph is highly dependent on muscle contractions and good circulation. A therapeutic massage helps to drain a blocked up lymphatic system.

Here is an interesting fact that women in particular will want to know; an accumulation of proteins, fats, and other wastes that does not get excreted from the body often ends up becoming cellulite. This is why a therapeutic massage on the back of legs and buttocks can greatly help.

Massaging the wrong areas or focusing on certain acupressure points have been known to trigger uterine contractions in some women making it vital that a prenatal massage be given by a qualified health professional. Massage therapists trained in prenatal massage know exactly what areas to focus on and provide the maximum benefits during the massage therapy.

Arm And Hand Massages

Many people get through the day with tight, clenched hands, arms, and there can be a plethora of stress and anger building up all day causing neck pain, back pain, headaches, and much more.
The lymph can also collect toxins in this area of the body as well.

Getting a therapeutic massage on the arms helps to relax the muscles therefore creating more blood flow. The increased circulation will help relieve pain, and stress. In some cases it has been reported to help those with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Stimulating circulation in your hands is as important as anywhere else on your body. If you suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon (a painful condition of primarily the fingers, toes) then therapeutic massages are important. This condition is thought to be caused by a sharp and persistent contraction of a blood vessel, which reduces blood flow to the fingers.

Improving circulation in the hands is also important following surgery or after an injury, such as ligament sprains and muscle strains. Improved circulation to injured tissues helps to expedite healing by bringing more nutrients to the area and removing harmful metabolic byproducts that tend to accumulate in the tissues following trauma.

The overall therapeutic effect of massage was once described by Hippocrates (the Father of Medicine) as ‘vis medicatrix naturae’. Hippocrates, a massage advocate, believed that massage helped the body’s natural healing powers.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill has qualified massage therapists on staff to help you improve your circulation. Our walk-in clinic is conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. Visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 for more information today!