Physiological
benefits of therapeutic massage on the skeletal system:
Increases blood
circulation which nourishes skeletal cells;
Improves muscular
balance and thus skeleton alignment (contracted muscles can pull bones out
of alignment);
Exercises joints
through range of motion - joints are nourished by joint fluid, which is moved
and circulated by massage;
Can aid circulation
in the area of a fracture without producing motion in bone fragments - also
aids in healing of surrounding affected tissue;
Can aid functional
efficiency in terms of structural support / posture - massage can be a first
step in the process of postural awareness (less energy used to maintain efficient
posture);
Can prevent adhesions
from forming and can break down adhesions - these adhesions can form between
ligaments and bones, can alter a joint and limit range of motion - adhesions
can form reparative tissue, but not flexible, and massage can create a mobile
scar.
Benefits of therapeutic
massage on other systems of the body: