Massage has several physiological as well as psychological effects on the body

• Cause changes in the blood. The oxygen  capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after massage.
• Affect muscles  throughout the body. Massage can help loosen contracted, shortened muscles and  can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles. This muscle "balancing" can help posture  and promote more efficient movement. Massage does not directly increase muscle  strength, but it can speed recovery from the fatigue that occurs after exercise.  In this way, it can be possible to do more exercise and training, which in the  long run strengthens muscles and improves conditioning. Massage also provides a  gentle stretching action to both the muscles and connective tissues that  surround and support the muscles and many other parts of the body, which helps  keep these tissues elastic.
• Increase the body's secretions and  excretions. There is a proven increase in the production of gastric juices,  saliva, and urine. There is also increased excretion of nitrogen, inorganic  phosphorus, and sodium chloride (salt). This suggests that the metabolic rate  (the utilization of absorbed material by the body's cells)  increases.
• Affect the nervous system. Massage balances the nervous  system by soothing or stimulating it, depending on which effect is needed by the  individual at the time of the massage.
• Enhance skin condition. Massage  directly improves the function of the sebaceous (oil) and sweat glands which  keep the skin lubricated, clean, cooled. Tough, inflexible skin can become  softer and more supple.
• Affect internal organs. By indirectly or  directly stimulating nerves that supply internal organs, blood vessels of these  organs dilate and allow greater blood supply to them.