The science behind massage techniques

Massage applies presssure to tissue in such a way that it causes several cellular effects to occur deep within muscle tissue. This article further discusses how some of the techniques used help to improve your animals performance and improve comfort.

EFFLEURAGE

Effleurage is one of the most common techniques used by therapists as it simply prepares the muscle before deeper techniques. It helps to warm the targeted muscle area, relieve tight muscles, promotes relaxation and helps aid the removal of waste product. This technique involves light pressure stroked which are long and slow with a hand always remaining in contact with the body. In progression, deep effleruage can then be applied to reach further into the muscle belly.

COMPRESSION

Compression is a highly effective technique for tight muscles which stimulates a process known as the capillary reflux. When pressure is applied, held and slowly increased it pushes blood and fluid out of the targeted area. Once this pressure has been released there is a reduction in blood flow, oxygen and nutrients (all crucial for a healthy muscle!). The body then responds by increasing blood flow to the area in which muscles recieve a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients, thereby boosting health of the muscle.

CROSS FIBRE FRICTION

Cross fibre fricition is one of the deepest/most invasive techniques and is particulalry useful where scar tissue is present. Cross fibre frcition is pressure applied continously in a forwards and backwards motion. This causes the tissue to be broken up and creates a small amount of inflammation allowing for increased blood flow to the area. as the body then tries to repair this damage new fresh fibres are laid down but this time in an organised pattern which wont limit the tissues flexibility as a result of efflurgae of stretching following up the technique.

TAPOTEMENT

Tapotement is a multitasking massage technique which is used for two different desireable effects, one which stimulates the muscles to awaken them and the other to enhance lymphatic drainage. The way in which it stimulates muscles is that the nerves within the tissue detect the repetivie striking and relays this to the motor neuron (controls muscle contraction). This causes the muscle to awaken and maintain its tone, thereby proving effectvie for animals which has atrophy (muscle wastage) without having to physcial load the area. On the other hand it works as pump for the lymphatic system by helping to disperse built up fluid to surrounding lymph nodes in which it then works to filter the waste product.

GENERAL EFFECTS

Piezoelectricity: Massage encourages type I collagen (organised layout) and sodium/potassium which enhances cell performance. This helps to improve cell repair and increase cell production.

Circulatory effect: When massage is applied it increases histamine production. One this increase has been recognised, bradykinin (hormone) gets released. This works to widen blood vessels to allow for increased blood flow.

Analgesic effect (pain relief): This process involves nerve fibres which transmit pain signals to the brain. Massage releases a specific nerve fibre known as a-beta which works to block pain signals from reaching the brain which therefore offers the animal pain relief and relaxation.