Massage reduces muscle and soft tissue pain. Massage reduces joint strain and compression through releasing tight muscles and tendons. Massage increases ease and efficiency of movement. Massage supports increased work capacity and metabolism. Massage increased retention of nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous in the bones and thus aids in fracture healing.
Massage can stimulate muscle contraction.
Massage stimulates the touch, pressure and proprioceptive receptors of the skin and underlying tissue. Massage can have a sedative, stimulating or even exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of treatment given. Massage reduces sympathetic stimulation and helps to balance the autonomic nervous system. Massage relaxes the muscles and helps to reestablish proper tonus through its effect on the neuromuscular reflex pathways. Massage is known to affect the neurotransmitters of the brain and increase endorphin secretion in particular.