What systems are influenced by massage therapy?

The cardiac system, vascular system, and respiratory system—these are three prominent systems profoundly impacted by physical activity. Consequently, sports, fitness, movement, and massage are intricately intertwined due to their nearly opposing effects on these systems. As we prepare for exercise, we experience heightened heart rate, increased blood flow, escalated respiratory rate, and enhanced blood supply to our active muscles. Simultaneously, our gastrointestinal (GI) system decelerates since the body's priority shifts from digesting food to allocating blood flow elsewhere.

In contrast, massage takes an antithetical approach. The objective is to reduce heart rate, diminish blood flow—particularly at the systemic level— and encourage parasympathetic activity. This "rest and digest" state facilitates smoother movement of food through the GI system. This interplay results in a harmonious equilibrium between these physiological dynamics. When delving into sports massage within the context of the musculoskeletal system, it's crucial to understand how these concepts converge and interact.

Our skeletal muscles respond to afferent nerves, triggering an autonomic response. The process unfolds as follows: muscular engagement leads to muscle contraction, which subsequently generates tightness, exerting pressure on nerves. These compressed nerves transmit signals to the brain, indicating muscle tension. Consequently, the brain and spinal cord release neurotransmitters, culminating in the experience of pain.

This discomfort induces further muscle contraction, intensifying the pain. The desired outcome, however, is to temper the autonomic nervous system's response. Through massage, nerve pressure can be alleviated, impeding the transmission of tension signals to the brain. This approach induces muscle relaxation, augments local blood circulation, and mitigates the pain-spasm-pain cycle, thereby fostering the recuperation process post-exercise.