What Happens to Your Body During a Massage
When you step into a massage room, you might notice the soft lighting, calming scents, and peaceful atmosphere. But beneath that surface-level relaxation, something incredible is happening inside your body. Massage therapy doesn’t just make you feel good—it creates measurable physical and chemical changes that promote deep healing and balance.
At Wellness 1st Chiropractic in Austin, MN, we believe massage therapy is both an art and a science — the art of touch combined with the science of human physiology. Here’s a closer look at what really happens to your body during a massage, and why its benefits go far beyond the massage table.
1. Muscles Relax and Circulation Improves
Massage increases blood and lymph circulation, delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to soft tissues while helping remove metabolic waste (Weerapong et al., 2005). This improved flow reduces stiffness, promotes flexibility, and speeds recovery from daily tension or exercise.
As muscles warm and soften, knots and adhesions loosen, improving overall mobility. This process helps prevent injury and restores normal function to overworked areas of the body (Moraska & Pollini, 2010).
2. The Nervous System Shifts Into Relaxation Mode
During a massage, your body transitions from the sympathetic state (fight-or-flight) to the parasympathetic state (rest-and-digest). This shift reduces stress hormones like cortisol while increasing serotonin and dopamine — the body’s natural mood enhancers (Field, 2016).
The result is a calmer nervous system, lowered heart rate, and slower breathing — all signs that your body has entered a healing state. Many clients even drift into light sleep during massage, which shows just how powerfully touch influences the brain and body’s relaxation response.
3. The Lymphatic System Gets a Detox Boost
The lymphatic system acts as the body’s natural filtration network, removing waste, toxins, and excess fluid. Because it doesn’t have a central pump like the heart, it relies on movement — including massage — to circulate lymph fluid effectively (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024).
Massage techniques that use long, sweeping strokes and gentle pressure can stimulate lymph flow, reduce swelling, and support immune function. Drinking water after your session further aids this process by helping flush out what’s been released.
4. Pain and Inflammation Start to Decrease
Massage therapy is proven to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation by influencing cytokine activity — the chemical messengers linked to pain and swelling (Weerapong et al., 2005). It also promotes mitochondrial growth within muscle cells, enhancing energy production and tissue repair (Crane et al., 2012).
For those managing chronic pain, arthritis, or tight fascia, massage can improve comfort and movement without relying on medication. It’s a natural way to help the body heal itself through improved circulation and decreased stress responses.
5. Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Drop
Massage has a measurable impact on cardiovascular health. Research shows that regular massage sessions can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and reduce resting heart rate (Moraska et al., 2010). These benefits stem from the nervous system’s shift toward relaxation and the dilation of blood vessels, which improves oxygen delivery throughout the body.
For those managing stress or mild hypertension, massage provides gentle, drug-free support for heart and vascular function.
6. The Mind and Body Reconnect
In our busy world, many people become disconnected from their physical selves — ignoring tension or pain until it becomes overwhelming. Massage therapy restores that connection by encouraging mindfulness and awareness of how your body feels.
When your therapist works on a specific area of tightness, your attention naturally returns to that part of your body. This helps you notice postural imbalances, breathing patterns, and even emotional tension that may be stored in your muscles (Field, 2016). Over time, this awareness encourages better posture, improved movement, and a greater sense of control over your health.
7. The Immune System Gets a Boost
Massage therapy doesn’t just make you feel relaxed — it strengthens your immune system. Studies show that massage increases the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which are essential for defending the body against viruses and infections (Rapaport et al., 2010).
By lowering cortisol levels and stimulating lymph movement, massage allows your body to devote more resources to immune function. It’s one reason many clients find they get sick less often when they receive regular massage treatments.
8. Emotional Release and Mental Balance
Massage is a powerful emotional experience, too. The soothing, intentional touch of a therapist helps release long-held tension — both physical and emotional. This phenomenon, sometimes called emotional release, is linked to how the body stores stress in muscle tissue and fascia (Field, 2016).
It’s not unusual for clients to experience a wave of relief, tears, or a profound sense of peace after a session. This response is part of the body’s natural healing process, as the nervous system lets go of stored stress and returns to balance.
9. Why Massage and Chiropractic Care Work So Well Together
At Wellness 1st Chiropractic, massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments
complement each other perfectly. Massage relaxes tight muscles that might otherwise pull your spine out of alignment, while chiropractic care restores the skeletal balance that helps muscles work properly.
This integrated approach improves circulation, nerve communication, and overall body function — leading to longer-lasting results. As your muscles and joints realign, you’ll find it easier to move freely and maintain comfort between visits.
10. The After-Effects: What Happens Next
After your massage, your body continues to process the benefits. Circulation stays elevated, your muscles remain supple, and your nervous system remains calmer for hours afterward. It’s common to feel a little tired or “floaty” — that’s your body adjusting to its new state of balance.
Drinking water, stretching gently, and resting afterward help your body integrate these changes. Many clients report improved sleep, digestion, and mood for several days following a massage.
Bringing It All Together
Massage therapy is far more than a feel-good experience — it’s a full-body reset. From improving blood flow and decreasing pain to balancing hormones and calming the mind, each session brings your body closer to its natural state of harmony.
At Wellness 1st Chiropractic in Austin, MN, our massage therapists work hand-in-hand with our chiropractic team to help you achieve lasting wellness. Whether you’re seeking pain relief, stress reduction, or a better night’s sleep, massage therapy offers a natural path to healing.
Experience the Benefits for Yourself
If it’s been a while since your last massage, there’s no better time to start. You’ll leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to your body. Each session at Wellness 1st Chiropractic is customized to your needs, ensuring your body gets exactly the care it deserves.
Ready to experience what massage therapy can do for you? Call Wellness 1st Chiropractic in Austin, MN, for an appointment.
References
- Crane, J. D., Ogborn, D. I., Cupido, C., Melov, S., Hubbard, A., Bourgeois, J. M., … & Tarnopolsky, M. A. (2012). Massage therapy attenuates inflammatory signaling after exercise-induced muscle damage. Science Translational Medicine, 4(119), 119ra13.
- Field, T. (2016). Massage therapy research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 24, 19–31.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). The lymphatic system: What it does and how to keep it healthy. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.
org/health/wellness-and- prevention/the-lymphatic- system
- Moraska, A., & Pollini, R. A. (2010). Physiological adjustments to massage therapy: A review of the literature. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 14(1), 55–63.
- Moraska, A., Chandler, C., Edmiston-Schaetzel, A., Franklin, G., Calenda, E., & Enebo, B. (2010). Changes in psychological and physiological outcomes following massage therapy: A review of the literature. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 16(1), 10–14.
- Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P., & Bresee, C. (2010). A preliminary study of the effects of repeated massage on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and immune function in healthy individuals: A pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(10), 1079–1088.
- Weerapong, P., Hume, P. A., & Kolt, G. S. (2005). The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery, and injury prevention. Sports Medicine, 35(3), 235–256.