How it works

Massage is beneficial for several reasons. The warmth created by the gentle movement and friction of massage dilates blood vessels which increases blood flow especially to the limbs. The improved circulation helps to usher stagnant blood and toxins away from the muscle tissue and ferry fresh blood with oxygen and nutrients in. There are nerve cells in the muscles that govern contraction and relaxation. When these nerve cells get stuck in a loop that triggers spasm, specific rhythms of lengthening and compressing strokes as well as movement of the limbs and tissues work together to trip up the loop and reset it into a functional pattern once again.
All forms of massage have one thing in common. They stimulate the peripheral nerves on the skin, which connect to the autonomic nervous system in a profoundly helpful way. The parasympathetic nervous system, coined “rest and digest” is responsible for the bodies self repair processes while the sympathetic nervous system, coined “fight or flight” speeds up our heart rate and breathing and is often activated with feelings of anxiety. Massage brings balance by sedating the fight or flight response and awakening the natural rest and healing processes of the governing nervous system.
Finally, a quick note on emotional instinct; Just think about the first thing you do when you accidentally get hurt. You hold or rub or cover the hurt area with your hand because instinctually you know that touch is healing.