Massage increases lymph flow rate by seven to nine times. Musculoskeletal Massage helps decrease muscle tension and pain after repeated treatments. Sports massage may help reduce delayed onset muscle soreness after exercise. Pain Relief General Pain Massage stimulates the brain to produce endorphins, the body's natural pain suppressors. Cancer Pain Therapeutic massage promotes relaxation and dulls the perception of pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients.
Therapeutic massage is an effective short-term nursing intervention for pain.
A variety of massage techniques can reduce acute and chronic pain and increase muscle flexibility and tone. Massaging with ointment produces measurable improvements in spontaneous muscular contracture and in the degree of lumbar extension. PMS Reflexology significantly reduced premenstrual symptoms. Stress Management Massage is beneficial in reducing anxiety, tension, pain, and depression. Relaxation Slow stroke back massage decreases blood pressure and heart rate while increasing skin temperature, producing vital signs indicative of relaxation.