How does massage release tension and promote relaxation?
Muscle tension, whether from normal activity or from awkward movement or stress, contributes to muscle fatigue and pain by compressing nerve fibers in the muscle. Prolonged contraction interferes with the elimination of chemical wastes in the muscles and surrounding tissues, and can cause frequent nerve and muscle pain. If not properly addressed these body tensions have a tendency to build into chronic patterns of stress. Prolonged tension can often cause pain in other parts of the body. For example, headaches are often caused by overly tense muscles in the neck, shoulder, and lower back. Even contracted abdominal muscles can trigger headaches in certain people (a common complaint of women with menstrual difficulties). By applying deep pressure to trigger points, the tension or spasm can often be eliminated. For these tension-related conditions massage can break up muscular waste deposits and stimulate circulation.
