Massage for your Heart
High Blood Pressure, Poor Circulation and the Benefits of Massage
Relaxation massage has been shown to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure with regular treatment sessions. Studies have shown that after a massage, the levels of cortisol (stress related hormone) in individuals are reduced. Lowered blood pressure facilitates Stress reduction by reducing one's risk for developing anxiety, depression and hostile feelings. It can control stress hormone levels and possibly lower the risk of having a stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure.
Poor Circulation: Friction created between skin and fingers encourages an improvement in circulation. With improved circulation of blood and lymph flow comes healthier, stronger muscles that are less likely to fatigue and weaken during any type of activity. Massage stimulates an increase in blood flow around muscles within the body. This increase in blood flow helps to rise muscle temperature, which improves the elasticity of muscle fibers allowing an increase in range of movement and decrease in restriction.
Improved circulation through massage can help increase relaxation. Relaxation can be restricted for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons for a lack of relaxation is poor posture. This contributes towards an increase in muscle tension and restricts movement. Increasing tissue elasticity and decreasing restriction enables muscle to relax and posture to return to normal.
Increased vasodilation through massage can also help improve circulation. Vasodilation is the process of widening blood vessels and bringing them closer to the skin’s surface.
As smooth muscles’ lining blood vessels relax, blood pressure is reduced, and restriction is decreased. Decreasing blood pressure and restriction, increases the blood traveling through the vessels, which improves circulation as blood is transported around the body at a faster rate.
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