Massage.
Why is it that we feel so ridiculously good after a massage?
Is it purely the pampering that makes us feel so great? Or are there genuine physiological effects at play? You may be surprised to know that there are a considerable number of scientific changes that take place during and after massage. Let’s take a look.
Massage stimulates the release of endorphins – our natural pain relievers. Endorphins are produced by the central nervous system and pituitary gland and diminish our perception of pain. This gives our body a chance to relax, remember what it was like to be pain-free and for our neural pathways to be reprogrammed back to a normal, pain-free state. As our bodies relax, along with the manual action of the massage, tight muscles can relax and lengthen.
Massage therapy also increases circulation, which positively affects our bodies. Waste products are flushed away, enabling tight, tired muscles to be flooded with nutrients and healing oxygen. Improved circulation alone may be enough for many individuals to eliminate built-up pain and stiffness in parts of the body.
