Clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.

The Benefits of Massage

The Muscular System

1. •Relieves soreness, tension, and stiffness
   

2. •Improves muscle tone
   

3. •Increases flexibility and range of motion of joints
   

4. •Improves the flow of nutrients to muscles and joints, accelerating recovery from fatigue and injury
   

5. •Reduces scar tissue
   

6. •Breaks down or prevents adhesions (knots)
   

7. •Speeds recovery from exercise
   

8. •Enhances freedom of movement
   

9. •Prevents or delays muscular atrophy, resulting from inactivity caused by injury, age, surgery, or illness
   

10. •Increases physical confidence
    

11. •Relieves cramps and muscle spasms
    

12. •Reduces pain and swelling
    

The Skeletal System

1. •Improves posture/body alignment
   

2. •Relieve stiff joints
   

3. •Decreases inflammation
   

4. •Restores range of motion (increasing joint movement)
   

5. •Releases joint strain (releasing tight muscles and tendons)
   

6. •Releases restrictions in the fascia (connected tissues)
   

7. •Improves the circulation and nutrients of your joints
   

The Integumentary System

1. •Improves skin tone by removing dead cells and improving circulation
   

2. •Regenerates tissue, including burns, wounds, and wrinkles
   

3. •Helps to normalize glandular functions
   

4. •Improve elasticity of skin
   

5. •Stimulates blood flow to nourish the skin
   

The Circulatory System

1. •Increases blood flow (to tissues and organs), which can relieve much muscular and joint pain (especially associated with swelling)
   

2. •Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients (to cells and tissues), improving and relieving congestion throughout the body
   

3. •Increases the number of red blood cells, especially in cases of anemia
   

4. •Lower blood pressure
   

5. •Reduces heart rate (helps develop a stronger heart)
   

6. •Elimination of metabolic waste
   

The Lymphatic System

1. •Cleanse the body of wastes and toxic debris in the body
   

2. •Increases the circulation of lymph
   

3. •Stimulates the immune system (strengthens resistance to disease)
   

4. •Reduces edema of the extremities (arms and legs)
   

5. •Removal of lactic acid from fatigued and sore muscles (allows for a quick recovery)
   

6. •Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism
   

7. •Increases retention of nitrogen phosphorus, and sulfur to aid in bone repair
   

8. •Speeds recovery from illness
   

The Respiratory System

1. •Develops respiratory muscles
   

2. •Regulates respiration
   

3. •Promotes deeper and easier breathing
   

The Nervous System

1. •Stimulates Nervous System = boosting energy
   

2. •Calms the Nervous System = relaxing
   -- Massage may have a sedative, stimulating or an exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of massage treatment given
   

3. •Relieves restlessness and insomnia
   

4. •Relieves pain due to pinched nerves
   

5. •Decreases chronic pain
   

6. •Stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller)
   

The Endocrine System

1. •Helps the body to restore and heal itself
   

2. •Develops of a restful sleep pattern
   

3. •Promotes appropriate levels of hormones (bringing the immune system back in balance)
   

The Digestive System

1. •Relieves constipation (specifically if a abdominal massage is given)
   

2. •Relaxes the abdominal and intestinal muscles (therefore releasing tension in this area)
   

3. •Eliminates waste materials
   

4. •Stimulates activity of liver and kidneys
   

The Urinary System

1. •Elimination of metabolic waste
   

2. •Cleanses the body of wastes and toxic debris in the body
   

3. •Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism
   

The Reproductive System

1. •Reduces depression and anxiety associated with PMS
   

2. •Reduces excess fluid retention
   

3. •Helps prepare for the birthing process