Alexandria School of Scientific Therapeutics


Massage Information
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Beneficial Effects of Swedish Massage
1. Dilates the blood vessels and improves circulation throughout the body.
2. Increases the number of red blood cells.
3. Acts as a mechanical cleanser by stimulating lymph activity.
4. Relaxes muscle spasms and relieves tension.
5. Increases blood supply and nutrition to the muscles.
6. Improves muscle tone and helps prevent or delay muscular atrophy.
7. Helps compensate in part, for the lack of exercise in restricting injuries.
8. May have a sedative, stimulating or exhausting effect on the recipient.
9. Combined with a low calorie diet, can aid in reducing, considerably.
10. Heightens tissue metabolism and increases tissue nutrition.
11. Increases secretion of fluids and waste products via the kidneys.
12. Encourages nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur retention for bone repair.
13. Helps lessen inflammation and swelling in joints.
14. Promotes a sense of 'well-being' to help with stress reduction.
Contraindications to Massage
The two most important things to remember about massage are:
  • the physiological effects of the movements
  • when not to massage, or the contraindications
    • The contraindications of massage:
  • in areas of septic foci (because of the danger of spreading infection)
  • in contagious or infectious skin conditions
  • over the abdomen during pregnancy
  • over the abdomen during the first few days of menstruation
  • over areas of unrecognized lumps or bumps
  • over areas of unexplained inflammation and pain
  • in cardiovascular conditions unless with medical advice
  • in any condition being treated by a medically qualified person, unless he/she agrees.


    • The understanding of the importance of when NOT to massage is sometimes used as the standard to differentiate between the amateur and the professional massage therapist. Quite often, as a result of much practice, the amateur is able to achieve a reasonable standard of physical massage, but what he/she lacks is the knowledge of how and why; where to apply it and why and where not to apply it.