The Many Benefits of Massage

The definition of massage is the assessment of the soft tissues and joints of the body and the treatment or prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate, or augment physical function and or relieve pain. What a mouth full! 

The amazing thing about massage is that almost anyone can take something positive out of the experience. Thats right, massage is truely an experience. Massage is not just 

meant to relax muscles as some people might think. fascinatingly enough, nearly every bodily system you have benefits from massage in one or more ways!

Let's explore that...

Take the skeletal system for example

Massage therapy improves the blood supply to joints and promotes range of motion for joint related cartilage. Massage can increase circulatory efficiency which means faster bone healing. It also increases erythrocyte production and osteoblastic activity. 

                                                     How about the circulatory system?

Massage increases venous and lymphatic flow which indirectly assists arterial flow as well. Massage also generates a histamine reaction  which causes increased drainage and tissue perfusion. Using hydrotherapy in conjunction helps with smooth muscle tone inside the arteriole and venule walls. Massage is a wonderful tool for reducing blood pressure caused by general relaxation and increased blood flow to peripheral tissues. Did you know massage therapy can strengthen your horse's heart? By creating a parasympathetic response, massage slows and strengthens the heart beat making the heart more efficient.

Let's talk about the respiratory system

Massage loosens mucus from the respiratory tract and promotes expectoration. Massage also dilates the bronchial tubes by stimulating the body's sympathetic response. Massage can reduce signs of respiratory tract diseases and can diminish trigger points of the diaphragm. It can even produce deeper breathing, making the lungs more efficient.

That was just to name a few of the bodily systems, but we haven't even discussed the most influenced one...the muscular system.

Although massage therapy affects every system of the body in some way, it has it's most prominent effects on the muscular system. Massage relieves pain from spasms, immobility, and edema while also producing even and healthy muscular tone. Massage encourages stretching which helps to elongate the muscle fibres. Massage eliminates trigger points which are a main cause of pain and unease for horses and people alike. Massage also improves posture by balancing the body.

As you can see, massage has a wide spread of benefits that would suit almost anyone.

So what are you waiting for? Give it a try!

Happy trails,

Kaitlyn