The effects of massage strokes

The Effects the of massage on the Autonomic Nervous System(ANS)

Massage strokes have great effect on the ANS system.The ANS system innervates the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands. The ANS is broken down into two different systems. The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System(PNS). These two systems are complimentary to each other as together as they control the body organs to maintain homeostasis.

The SNS sytem obverrides the PNS system during massage and emotional stress. the SNS is the part of the ANS that spends the bodies energy resourses and is known as the ''fight or flight" response. The PNS on the otherhand is known as the "rest and digest" response this is seen as the system that conserves the bodies resourses and after about 15 minutes of slow rhythemic massage this system is activated.

The Effects of massage strokes

Touch and Hold
Touch and hold is used initially in a massage for the client to get used to the massage environment.

Effeurage
Effleurage is a swedish massage technique very commomly employed and is seen as very benificial. it can be performed using therapists palm, knuckles, fingertips or forarm. Effleurage can be used to Initially spread the lubricant over the clients body, warms body tissues to prepare for deeper work, calms the nervous system (when done slowly), stimulates the nervous system(when done quicky), helps flush away wastes, increases blood and lymph circulation.

Petrissage
Petrisssage consists of rhythemic lifting, squeezing and releasing of tissue and typically follows effeurage. There are different variations depending on what you are aiming to achieve, One handed, two handed, alternate hand, fully petrissage and also skin rolling. Petrissage can be benificial as it increases blood flow, working out metabolic waste, reduces local swelling, relieve general fatigue, reduces muscle soreness and stiffness, stimulate the nervous system and sofening superficail fascia.

Tapotement
Tapotement involves repetitive striking movements of the hands. done correctly this can be very relaxing or can also excite the muscle. This can be benificial as it stimulates nerve endings, aid in decongetsing the lungs, tone flaccid muscles, increase local blood flow, access deeper structures sich as hip rotators and relieve pain.

Vibration: There are three variations of vibration fine, course and rocking. done correctly vibration should enhance general relaxation, increase cirrculation and stimulate muscle spindles, vibration is very physically demanding stroke for a massage therapist.

Compression: With rhythemic pumping of the muscle blood is pumped out of the muscle, when compression is released blood flows back into the muscle. compression can be relaxing or also stimulating b=depending on the spend in which it performed.

Miscellaneous stokes of massage
blood flow-Massage increases bloood flow around the body by mechanically assisting venous blood flow back to the heart
Lymph Flow- Promotes lymph flow as muscle compression changes
Mood and sanity- increases sanity mood as mntal health status as massage helps relax
sleeping patterns- Sleeping patterns improve as client sleeps deeper and feels as though they have more energy.

References
salvo ,s. (2003) massage therapy: principles of practice (3rd ed) saunders, st louis, missori