Dry water massage

The effects of massage

These aims can be achieved by the following effects:

• Improved circulation in the skin and through the activation of receptors in the skin and/or through deeper penetrating massage also the muscles (down to the joint regions) and the internal organs.
• Activation of the lymph and venous circulatory systems to improve the flow of tissue fluids and partially deoxygenated blood carrying metabolic waste products away to be disposed of.
• By improving circulation, through the release for example of tissue activators (hormones) and by activating “resting” zones, massage accelerates the metabolic process, the function and energetic performance potential of the skin, the muscles and also of the related internal organs.
• Above all, a normalisation of the muscle tone is reached through the restriction or activation of muscle or tendon spindle fibre function. Increased activity leads to a reduction of muscular tension, hardening or spasm, tiring or relaxing the muscular structure results in an increase in tone and thus again the relief of symptoms and improved performance potential.
• The controlled mechanical stimulation of the skin, tissue and muscle receptors via the nervous system.
  1. in the spinal cord to the activations of auto reflexes for the muscle tone and the supporting action of the skeletal muscles,
  2. in the brain to the changeover from “performance” to recovery and relaxation, with deeper breathing and “easy action mode” for the heart and circulatory system, by dampening the sympathetic centres of the vegetative nervous systems, or alternatively to invigoration and increased performance potential, by rapid, intensive massage stimuli,
  3. in hormonal regulation, to a reduction of the increased release of stress hormones (adrenaline/noradrenaline, cortisol etc.) and a changeover from a catabolic (loss, wear) to an anabolic (build-up, regeneration) state,
  4. in the nerve cells of the brain, to the release of immune system hormones and/or endorphins which contribute towards the stabilisation of the body’s defence against disease or evidence a pain-relieving effect,
  5. in centres of the brain responsible for mood, both to a positive attitude and increased motivation and ability to concentrate, as well as to an inner state of calm and composure.

Source: Prof. Dr. med. Heinz Liesen
Leader of sports medical institute of the university Paderborn / Germany