Massage and the skin
The skin makes up about 20% of the total mass of the human body. Its importance for the normal functioning of internal organs is difficult to overestimate. It protects the body from adverse external influences (mechanical, chemical, microbial).
The most complex processes that take place in the skin complement, and sometimes duplicate, the functions of some internal organs.
A healthy skin surface is involved in the process of respiration, metabolism, heat exchange, removal of excess water and waste products from the body.
The effect of massage on the skin:
1. Through the skin, irritation is transmitted to the Central nervous system, which determines the response of the body and its individual organs.
2. Massage helps to remove dead cells of the epidermis from the skin surface, which, in turn, improves the work of the sebaceous and sweat glands.
3. During the massage, the blood supply to the skin is improved and venous congestion is eliminated.
4. The temperature of the massaged area increases, which means that metabolic and enzymatic processes are accelerated.
The massaged skin becomes pink and elastic due to the increased blood supply. Its resistance to mechanical and thermal influences increases. When stroking, the movement of lymph in the lymphatic vessels accelerates and congestion in the veins is eliminated.
These processes occur not only in the vessels located on the massaged area, but also in those located nearby. Such a suction effect of massage is explained by a decrease in pressure in the massaged vessels.
By increasing the skin-muscle tone, massage affects the appearance of the skin, making it smooth and elastic. The acceleration of metabolism in skin tissues has a positive effect on the overall metabolism in the body.
Effect of massage on joints, ligaments, tendons
Under the influence of massage, the supply of blood to the joint and nearby tissues improves, the formation and movement of synovial fluid accelerates, and as a result, the ligaments become more elastic.
As a result of overloads and microtraumas in the joints, there may be immobility, swelling, wrinkling of the joint bags, changes in the composition of synovial fluid.
With the help of massage, leading to an improvement in the nutrition of joint tissues, you can not only get rid of these painful phenomena, but also prevent them. In addition, a timely massage prevents damage to the cartilage tissue, leading to the occurrence of arthrosis.
Under the influence of massage, you can increase the amplitude of movements in the hip, shoulder, elbow, and intervertebral joints.