Health Benefits of Massage
Many people today enjoy massages, whether by visiting a massage parlor or using massage devices or chairs at home. The reason massages are so popular is the refreshing and invigorating feeling they leave behind. Let’s explore the health benefits of massage.

The basic techniques of massage involve kneading, rubbing, and pressing, which affect the skin, muscles, and nerves. These movements stimulate sensory receptors in the skin, causing blood vessels near the surface to reflexively expand and promote better blood circulation. This increases skin temperature, activates sweat glands, and enhances skin respiration, leaving you feeling refreshed.

When waste products accumulate in muscles or inflammation develops in muscle tissues, people often experience fatigue and pain. Massage applies pressure to muscles, acting as a pump to improve blood and lymph fluid circulation. This helps dilute waste products in the muscles and release adhesions in tissues, creating a sense of relief and lightness.

The areas often massaged, such as the face, neck, shoulders, and abdomen, are connected to the vagus nerve, which is part of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for relaxation and a sense of calm. This is why massages often leave you feeling drowsy and relaxed.

Due to these health benefits, massages are widely used as a complementary therapy. For instance, they can help reduce post-surgical swelling or alleviate symptoms of paralysis. Surgery or radiation therapy can damage lymph nodes under the skin, disrupting lymph fluid circulation and causing swelling. Massages can help ensure smooth lymph fluid flow. For areas with paralysis, massages can also help activate muscle function.

Caution for Certain Conditions: Herniated Discs, Osteoporosis, and Varicose Veins
While massages can be therapeutic, they can also cause harm if not done correctly. If you receive a massage without considering your physical condition, it could lead to greater fatigue rather than relief. This is particularly true for beginners or those who have previously experienced soreness or discomfort after a massage. It is essential to assess your physical condition, including stamina and underlying health issues, before deciding on the type, intensity, and duration of a massage.

Extra caution is necessary for people with herniated discs, osteoporosis, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). For herniated disc patients, massages aimed at relieving back or leg pain could strain the spine if they involve twisting or applying strong pressure to the lower back. People with weak bones may risk fractures, such as broken ribs, from vigorous back massages. Similarly, those with varicose veins need to be especially careful, as a massage could dislodge a blood clot, which might travel to the lungs, heart, or brain, causing severe complications.

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