Massage and the Muscles
Massage, when applied to the muscle tissues, has two main effects. First are the reflexive effects, or automatic responses. Pain, tension and spasming in muscle tissue cause overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. During massage, friction on the muscle tissue causes sensory signals to be sent to the central nervous system requesting a reduction of these sensations in the tissues. As tissues are warmed, they draw additional blood to the area being worked. With this increase in blood comes increased hormone levels including endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These hormones promote relaxation and reduce pain.
Next, we have the mechanical effects of massage on the muscle tissue. Friction from massage has two main benefits: heat generation, which allows the tissue to become more pliable, and increase blood flow, which allows for improved fluid exchange in the tissue. The combination of these effects allows the tissue to reset to a natural and balanced state of movement. It also allows the tissue to heal and even regenerate after damage.
Massage application has a big impact on how these reflexive and mechanical effects influence healing. When massage is applied in the direction of the tissue, using the pressure to grab and stretch the fibers, it can cause an overload of the muscle spindle cells and golgi tendons. The overload effect simulates the stretch reflex, causing the neurons to send signals to the brain to release those fibers. This creates a sense of release once the pressure is removed. Alternately, massage can be applied perpendicularly to the tissue in a cross-fiber direction. This movement helps to separate the individual fibers that can become stuck together and cause limited pliability. This technique also increases heat and blood flow to the area being worked, enhancing the healing process in the tissues.
The modalities listed below are just the beginning of the many ways manual body work can benefit the muscles of the body.
Swedish Massage
As you may have guessed, Swedish massage gets its name from its country of origin (Sweden!). It is characterized by long, slow, rhythmic strokes that focus on warming an entire muscle group. Swedish massage includes a variety of techniques that work to create several reactions in the tissue. In addition to the main gliding strokes, kneading is used to squeeze or “milk” the muscle tissue to encourage a faster rate of fluid exchange. Vibration or tapping motions into the muscle belly act to overwhelm the tissue and interrupt pain signals. Friction, often applied in a cross-fiber direction, separates the tissues and makes room for oxygenated blood to entire the muscle group. This initiates and enhances the healing response.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is often confused with deep pressure massage. While applying heavier weight to a massage stroke can be beneficial, it does not always feel good to the recipient. The main way to get a deeper effect from massage is to work slowly through the multiple layers of tissue. This technique includes adequately warming the full area of tissue being worked on, repeating the appropriate strokes many times over and feeling for changes in the tissue that signal it is time to move deeper and focus on the next layer. Ashiatsu is a great modality for this work because (1) the broad surface of the foot allows more tissue to be worked at one time and (2) the therapist can more comfortably work an area for a longer time because they are standing directly over the area rather than bending and pushing with an arm and elbow.
Hot Stone Therapy
As discussed with deep tissue work, warming an area quickly means being able to move downward into the tissue layers more quickly. The heat of a basalt stone penetrates the tissue to increase the blood flow that initiates healing. The stone is also an excellent tool that an emulate the movements of classic Swedish work: kneading (using the stones in alternate directions to push and pull the tissues in varying directions); friction (quick, swirling movements around joints or even trigger points); and tapping (placing one stone flat on the body while tapping it with the other stone).
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular therapy is a specialized approach to massage that focuses on the muscles and nervous system to relieve pain, improve muscle function, and address various musculoskeletal conditions. This technique applies specific pressure into a tangled area of fibers to reset the tissues and change the messages being sent to the brain.
