Psychological and physiological effects of massage

Marie Grace Knudsen • March 26, 2022

Massage has been a therapeutic way to calm down and many people use it to relax. The relaxation properties of massages help in relieving tension and muscle pains. There are many physiological and psychological effects of massages, read on to find out more!

Many things happen after a massage and they include many organs starting with the heartbeat to fingertips and toes. All these are linked to brain functions and breathing systems.

Physiological effects

  • The skeletal system: massage helps in the relaxation of the muscles which in turn improves the posture.
  • The muscular system: it helps in relieving the muscle pains and getting rid of the knots.
  • The circulatory system: it helps in the improvement of blood flow in the body.
  • The nervous system: it helps in the reduction of stress and anxiety.
  • The respiratory system: it helps in the improvement of the breathing system.
  • The digestive system: it helps in the improvement of the digestion system.

Psychological effects

  • Reduction of stress: This is one of the main effects of a massage. It helps the body to relax and get rid of the stress.
  • Reduction of anxiety: Massages are known to help in the reduction of anxiety. It helps in the production of serotonin and dopamine which are the happy hormones.
  • Improved sleep: A good massage helps in the improvement of the sleep cycle.
  • Improved mood: Massages help in the improvement of the mood.