Massage and the Nervous System
The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells in the body that includes two main branches (the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)) working synergistically to monitor and coordinate the proper functions of internal organs and maintain homeostasis in the body.
The CNS is the processing center for the nervous system. Its two main components, the spinal cord and the brain, collect and interpret incoming information received from the Peripheral Nervous System. The spinal cord is the conduit for information to travel to and from the brain. The brain uses billions of neurons to communicate information and instructions to all parts of the body. One of the brain’s major functions is to be a receptor and interpreter of information from the body via your senses. Once the brain receives this information, it sends response signals back to the body so that you can react to the stimulus you’ve encountered.
The PNS carries information to the CNS from internal organs or from external stimuli. It also receives information from the CNS and distributes that data (in the form of chemical, neuronal stimulus) to organs, muscles, and glands. The PNS is responsible for control of skeletal muscles as well as external sensory organs such as the skin. The autonomic nervous system is part of the PNS and is responsible for the function and regulation of involuntary muscles, such as the cardiac muscle. It also is a vital regulator of heartbeat, blood flow, breathing and digestion.
Massage can be a particularly powerful support for the nervous system’s health because it helps to balance and regulate the vital functions of the autonomic nervous system. When massage is applied, the nerves and sensory receptors are stimulated, and messages are sent along the nerve pathways via the spinal cord to the brain. These messages are interpreted via the sympathetic system (responses including fight, flight or freeze) or the parasympathetic system (responses including rest and digest). As massage relaxes the body, overall activity - heart rate, blood pressure and amount of sweat - decreases. This is a powerful result of massage because the body is designed to provide a singular response to stimulus. If the PNS is activated, then the sympathetic system (which increases the heart rate, raises blood pressure and mobilizes glucose) cannot also be activated.
Various massage therapies can stimulate or soothe the nerves depending on the kind of pressure, stroke or length of time used in a session to create the needed outcome. Let’s take a deeper look at these therapies.
Swedish massage is a form of lighter touch therapy with elongated strokes that promote increased communication between the skin receptors and the brain. It can be useful to stimulate healthy dermal activity and helps generate the secretion of endorphins (feel good hormones and natural pain killers) as it acts on the neurotransmitters of the brain. Deep tissue massage is a similar form of touch therapy that works deeper into the tissues to stimulate the muscular neurons and dissolve adhesions in the tissue. Both of these techniques relax the muscles and helps to re-establish proper responses to stimulus through its effect on the neuromuscular reflex pathways.
Neuromuscular Therapy provides direct pressure to tension areas. This pressure increases the stimulation in that area, overloading the neurons that send information to the brain, causing the system to send a relaxation reaction in response. It can release any blocks in the nerves and reduce compression in the nerve root caused by muscle tension. This therapy is also known as Trigger Point Therapy.
Myofascial release focuses on adhesions and blockages in the fascial membrane that wraps, connects and supports the muscle tissue. Gentle pressure is applied to the tissue combined with intentional movements to encourage the membrane to separate from the underlying fibers and restore meaningful movement. This softens the tissues and reduces sources of pain.
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, noninvasive treatment designed to ease the function of membranes and fluids around the brain and spinal cord. Light touch pressure manipulates the skull, spine and sacrum to release tension and improve flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. Manual Lymph Drainage is a rhythmic technique that manipulates, or moves, the dermal layer to promote movement of fluids into and out of the interstitial space. These techniques promote meaningful movement of bodily fluids so that do not build up and create painful pressure on nerve bundles or roots.
