Relief And Recovery

Nerve Constriction

Nerves run alongside of, between, and through muscles. Tight muscles can squeeze and put pressure on nerves causing constriction, which interferes with the free flow of nerve impulses and sometimes causes pain. Through muscle relaxation, massage alleviates the constriction of nerves due to muscle tension.

Poor Circulation

Tight muscles may also constrict blood vessels, thus slowing blood flow to an area (a condition called ischemia). Ischemia causes pain. By increasing circulation to an area, massage reduces ischemia and therefore the pain it causes.

Trigger Points

Trigger points are specific spots in muscles and tendons which cause pain, and may radiate pain to a larger area. Trigger points may be caused by sudden trauma (e.g. falling or being hit), by repeated use of a particular muscle, or may develop over time from chronic muscular tension in an area. Direct pressure with the thumb or fingers on a trigger point will often deactivate it, thus relieving the pain.

Damaged Tissues

Massage improves general and local circulation to injuries in the soft tissues, helping to clear cellular debris from the injured site, and bringing nutrients needed to heal the damaged tissue and speed recovery.

Pain-Spasm-Pain Cycle

Pain-spasm-pain cycle is started either by pain or spasm in a muscle, which perpetuates itself in an endless loop. For example, you may tense up from pain—this causes more tension—more pain—more tension—more pain and on and on until something breaks the cycle. Massage helps break this painful cycle.

Fascia

Is a broad band of fibrous connective tissue beneath the skin. It’s like a big cobweb that runs throughout your entire body and through muscles allowing for shape and support. It is involved in all shtmlects of motion and also forms the lines of stress or patterns of use that are created by its’ muscle contraction. Fascia ultimately determines the length and function of its muscular component and forms the pathways for all fluid movement in the body as well as nerve impulses. Fascia is richly endowed with sensory nerve-endings, giving it the capacity to produce pain if it’s restricted. When the fascia surrounding and through the muscles becomes tight and restricted, this can prevent the muscle from accomplishing the work it is designed to do by inhibiting the full contraction and release of the tight muscle. This forces neighboring muscles to pick up the slack, helping the restricted muscle do its job. The problem is the helper muscles aren’t designed to contract and release in exactly the same direction as the restricted muscle, so helping causes more strain in the helper muscle. Now you have two muscles that are restricted and strained and the process of more adhesions and more restriction continues. Fascia can also become adhered and will cause one muscle to stick to its neighbor. When one muscle contracts it must drag along the muscle that is stuck to it thus, causing strain. Fascia tightens in the area to help protect the strained muscles, and more adhesions develop as a result. Fascia molds itself over time according to how the body is used. By working to correct poor posture and by practicing good ergonomics, many sources of strain can be reduced or eliminated. The body will function more efficiently and with significantly less pain and restriction.