The Edinburgh School of Beauty

Level 3 Project 2

Ludmila N. S Howel
 1. List of the 10 physical/ physiological effects of body massage.
Massage is a practice that uses sliding, friction and kneading techniques with the
hands on parts of the body with the aim of stimulating the circulatory, lymphatic,
nervous and energetic systems, providing relaxation for the body and mind,
combating physical and mental fatigue with multiple physical and psychological
benefits. These include:
1. Warm the tissues and produce skin erythema.
2. Superficial and deeper layers of the skin stimulated.
3. Increasing cellular function and regeneration of body cells.
4. Aids desquamation- the removal of dead skin cells.
5. Sebaceous secretion of the skin is increased, naturally moisturizing the skin.
6. Reduces fibrous growth formation such as skin tags (verruca filiform) and aids
the dispersion of the skin disorders, milia
7. Increases lymphatic circulation, aiding the removal of waste products and
toxins.
8. Relaxes tense and contracted muscles; improve muscle tone.
9. Stimulates the nerve endings, relieving muscular pain and fatigue.
10. Softens and breaks down localizes fatty deposit and loosen scar tissue.

1-b) Discuss in more detail the effect body massage has on the:
Muscular system
The increased blood circulation nourishes the muscle issue, bringing extra oxygen
and nutrients and assisting the removal of waste products in the venous blood. This
helps muscles function to their full potential, maintaining their toned elasticity.
Weakened muscles can increase in tone, reducing muscle wastage. The increased
heat created by vasodilatation has a warming effect and the skin’s surface
temperature is increased. Muscles that are tense and shortened can be relaxed and
stretched as a result. Postural faults can be improved, as massage techniques are
applied to muscle groups to improve weakness or reduce tightness, improving
overall support provided to the body.

Circulatory and lymphatic systems

The circulatory system is improved locally as a result of massage to the tissues in
the area. This causes the skin to become redder or darker, dependent upon natural
skin color, and is medically referred to as hyperemia. The blood flow, increased by
the application of external massage techniques, causes blood vessels to dilate
(vasodilation), bringing about redness of the skin. The arteries carrying blood away
from the heart assist the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This
nourishes the cells and tissues in the area.
Gaseous exchange is assisted: the swapping of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the
tissues, helping to promote healthier cells. The veins carrying blood back towards
the heart help to remove waste products, toxins and carbon dioxide from tissues
cells, creating a feeling of wellbeing.
Lymph capillaries have a single layer of cells: they begin as blind ended- tubes in
areas that contain tissue fluid and eventually join together to form lymph vessels.
Some waste products and toxins pass into lymph vessels via lymph capillaries,
which have larger pores than those in the blood capillaries. Before re-entering the
bloodstream, lymph passes through lymph nodes where many toxins are removed
by the actions of white blood cells. Massage assists lymph flow which relies upon
movement, muscle contraction and breathing to move it. Light pressure is effective
for lymphatic drainage as the lymphatic capillaries are situated superficially and have
thin walls.

Nervous system
The peripheral nerve endings that pass information to and from the spinal cord can
be either soothed or stimulated, depending on the massage depth and pressure
applied. Vigorous techniques can have a stimulating effect- tissues and organs can
be encouraged to work more efficiently, slow, rhythmically applied techniques and
induce relaxation and sleep. The massages techniques effleurage and vibrations can
also have a soothing effect on the nerves when applied causing temporary pain
relief. The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is affected in
times of relaxation such as when receiving massage which produces a calming
effect on the body.

2.Describe the psychological effects of body massage

Massage has not only physical benefits but also has benefits mentally and
emotionally. Due to daily hectic routine stress is very common in each and every
person so massage therapies have good effects for the relief of stress and to
maintain good health and reduce arthritis, circulatory problems, stressed muscles,
tension headaches, increasing the immune system and insomnia.
In this way a person’s body feels more relaxed and stress free. Massage gives a
deep reflexology, touching and grounding that releases firm knots of tension,
increases the circulation of the blood and lymph systems, pacifies the nervous
system and helps to assimilate and balance the body functioning. There are different
kinds of techniques used in massage therapy like:
• Reiki
• Swedish massage
• Sports massage
• Hot stone massage
• Full body massage
• Foot massage
• Head massage
• Deep tissue massage
• Deep muscle therapy
• Reflexology massage
• Aroma Therapy
• Geriatric massage
• Prenatal massage
• Cranial sacral Therapy
• Sugar foot scrub Therapy

There are different types of psychological effects and benefits of different

massage therapies.

• The main purpose to get a massage therapy is to feel relax.

• Massage can be a splendid way to treat your body’s aches and pains.
• Reduces depression, attention deficit hyperactivity and stress.
• It creates a strong link between the mind and body.
• The massage therapist helps to unblock the passageways that allow us to fully
breathe in life without any stress.
• Psychologically due to stress people feel isolation and due to therapy a deep sense
of massage touch gives them relaxation and revitalize them physically and mentally.
• Reduce stress and anxiety by relaxing both mind and body.
• Produce a feeling of well-being and enhanced self-esteem.
• Promote positive body energy and an improved body illustration through relaxation.
• Relieve emotional distress through relaxation.
In short, we can say that massage therapy is a complete package of feeling relaxed
and stress free and gives you a new start by revitalizing yourself physically,
emotionally and mentally.

3. We need to ensure we do not suffer from work related injuries. Describe the
following work-related injuries, explaining what they are and what causes them:

Back Injury
Back is made of bones, muscles, and other tissues extending from the neck to
pelvis. Back injuries can result from sports injuries, work with a massage or stay
longer in the same position, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident. The lower back
is the most common site of back injuries and back pain. Common back injuries
include:
 Sprains and strains
 Herniated disks
 Fractured (broken) vertebrae

These injuries can cause pain and limit movement. Treatments vary but might
include medicines, icing, bed rest, physical therapy, or surgery. It’s important to the
therapist take regular breaks throughout the day and use breathing exercises to help
release stress and increase oxygen intake.
A massage therapist should stretch regularly to improve circulation and increase
mobility and change positions in treatment as much as possible.
It is important to move the client during massage so that they don’t have to bend
over as much. Quick stretches that can be done between every client. Standing or
sitting with a tall posture and feet flat on the floor when doing the below can help to
prevent any injuries in the back.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve,
which runs through the carpal tunnel in your wrist, becomes compressed. This can
lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers. CTS
is more common in adults, especially those who perform repetitive hand movements
like massage therapist, but it can affect people of any age.
A 60- or 90-minute massage can put a huge amount of pressure on the therapists’
wrists, fingers and thumbs, especially if they are not performing the techniques
correctly. For example, having the bed too high or leaning over the client will put
strain on their wrists

Neck strain
A neck strain occurs when one or more fibers in a neck muscle or tendon stretches
too far and tears. This injury, also called a pulled muscle, can vary in intensity
depending on the tear’s size and location. While a neck strain typically heals on its
own within a few days or weeks, the pain may range from mild and achy to sharp
and debilitating.
More than 20 muscles are connected in the neck. These muscles work together to
help support the head’s upright position and facilitate movements of the head, neck,
jaw, upper back, and shoulders
Poor posture, repetitive movements, and strains may all cause neck pain.
The neck’s muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues can become overstretched
when the head is held too far forward or tilted at an angle for too long. Some
examples include being hunched over a computer for several hours, holding the
phone between the ear and shoulder, or sleeping in a position that does not support
the cervical spine well. An increasingly common problem is text neck, which
describes neck pain that is caused by looking down at a phone screen or other
wireless device for too long or too frequently.

Repetitive Strain injury

Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Therapists working in spas and beauty salons can unfortunately suffer with repetitive
strain injury (RSI) – especially tension in the shoulders, back and neck area – when
performing demanding massage treatments back-to-back. RSI is a term used to
describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons, caused by repetitive
movement or overuse. It’s something a therapist may experience if they are
performing massage day in day out, but there are ways to prevent it or improve the
condition.

You can get repetitive strain injury (RSI) in many parts of the body, but it most often
affects the:
 shoulders
 elbows
 forearms and wrists
  hands and fingers

The symptoms usually start gradually and can include:

 pain, which may feel like burning, aching or throbbing
 stiffness and weakness
 tingling, pins-and-needles or numbness
 muscle cramps
 swelling

Causes of repetitive strain injury (RSI)

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is caused by repeated use of a body part, such as your
shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist or hand.
For example, you can get RSI if:
 you do repetitive activities like hairdressing, decorating, typing or working on
an assembly line
 you have poor posture when sitting or standing at work
 you use hand-held power tools regularly to do massage.
Repetitive or strenuous work does not always cause RSI. Many people do the same
job for years without having a problem.
Pain in a part of the body like the arm is often caused by a combination of things,
including aging.

Things you can do to help ease repetitive strain injury (RSI)

There are several things you can do to help ease the symptoms of repetitive strain
injury (RSI).
Do
 keep active – you may need to limit the amount of activity you do to start with
before gradually increasing it.
 take paracetamol or anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen – you can get
tablets or gels that you rub on the painful area
 try using a hot or cold pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on
the affected area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
  Changing the way work or reducing your hours for massage can help
therapist continue working.
Don’t
 do not rest the affected area for more than a few days – resting for too long
can lead to the affected body part becoming weaker and less flexible.

A pharmacist can help with RSI

You can ask a pharmacist:
 about painkilling tablets and gels
 if you need to see a GP

4- Describe the following contra-actions to massage, what may have caused them
and what advice you would give, consider manual massage, Indian head massage
and stone massage:
Contra-actions: These are conditions which may arise during the treatment which
would indicate that the treatment must stop.
During a treatment massage be aware to any abnormal changes happening with the
client. These changes can signal you should stop performing the treatment.

Erythema
The term ‘erythema’ is a redness of the skin, often because of inflammation or
increased blood flow to the affected area during massage.
After massage, many reactions can be experienced - this is a positive result and is
also known as the ‘Healing Crisis’. It is important to explain to the client that this is a
normal reaction to a treatment, especially if the client has never had a massage
before.
With regular treatments and as the body starts to heal and re-balance these
symptoms will subside. Any symptoms experienced should subside within 24 hours.
Typical contra-actions or ‘Healing Crisis’ symptoms are individual; they vary from
client to client.

Hyperaemia
Hyperaemia is a change in circulation in which there is an increase in blood flow to
an organ or tissue, which can happen naturally, when the body needs a greater
amount of blood to function properly, or because of a disease.
The increase in blood flow can be perceived through some signs and symptoms
such as redness and increased body temperature. However, when it is hyperaemia
due to a disease, symptoms related to the underlying disease may appear.
Hyperaemia in massage refers to an increase in blood flow in the blood vessels can
be created by rhythmic compression techniques into the muscles during
massage. Superficial hyperaemia occurs in the skin due to mechanical stimulation,
causing capillaries to dilate and blood to flow. Deep friction massage (DFM) is a
specific connective tissue massage that aims to maintain mobility within soft tissue
structures and prevent adherent scars.
It is important that the cause of hyperaemia is identified, because when it happens
naturally, no treatment is necessary, but when it is related to a disease, it is important
to follow the treatment recommended by the doctor so that circulation can return to
normal.
Hyperaemia can be simultaneously active or physiological and passive or
pathological, and in both situations, there is an increase in the diameter of the
vessels in order to promote increased blood flow.
Active hyperaemia, also known as physical hyperaemia, occurs when there is an
increase in blood flow to a certain region due to the increased demand for oxygen
and nutrients and, therefore, is a natural process of the body. Massage is one of the
main causes of hyperaemia, as are other activities that are:
 During exercise.
 There is no process of food digestion.
 In sexual motivation, in the case of men;
 In menopause.
 During studies so that a greater quantity of oxygen reaches the brain and
promotes nervous processes.
 During the lactation process, in order to stimulate the mammary gland.
Therefore, in these situations, it is normal for there to be an increase in blood flow to
ensure the proper functioning of the body.
Passive hyperaemia, also known as pathological hyperaemia or management,
occurs when blood cannot leave the organ, accumulating in the arteries, and this
usually happens because of some disease that results in the obstruction of the
arteries, influencing blood flow. Some of the main causes of passive hyperaemia are
Changes in the functioning of the ventricle, which is a structure of the heart
responsible for making the blood circulate normally through the body. When there is
a change in this structure, the blood accumulates, which can result in management
of several organs.
Deep vein thrombosis, in which circulation can be compromised due to the
presence of a clot, being more common in the lower limbs, which end up becoming
more swollen. However, this clot can also be displaced to the release, resulting in
management of this organ.
Thrombosis of the portal vein, which is a vein that is present in the liver and
whose circulation can be compromised due to the presence of a clot; Heart failure,
because the body requires a greater amount of oxygen and, consequently, blood, but
due to changes in heart function, it is possible that the blood does not circulate
correctly, resulting in hyperaemia.
This type of hyperaemia is common for signs and symptoms related to the cause to
appear. If the client complains of chest pain during the procedure and the therapist
identifies rapid and laboured breathing, changes in cardiac stress and excessive
fatigue, for example, it is important to stop the treatment immediately, get the client
up and refer him/her to the family doctor so that he/she can be consulted so that the
cause of the hyperaemia can be identified, and the most appropriate treatment can
be indicated.

Allergic reaction to products

If the conditions arise, remove any product and slowly place the client into the
recovery position and allow the client to rest for a period. Ensure you stay with the
client and if they are still experiencing the reactions, seek medical advice.
Aftercare is important to hopefully minimise any potential contra- actions from
happening after the treatment. Examples of aftercare advice would be:
 Drink plenty of fluids
 Eat a light meal
 Avoid exercise/rest as much as possible

General Home Care Advice

Care advice are suggestions that you give to your client to enhance their lifestyle in
their day-to-day life. Advice given should be specific to the client, referring to the
consultation and any treatment findings.
Homecare advice offers a good way to demonstrate an understanding of your client
as a whole and is a beneficial part of a holistic treatment which can aid building up a
professional relationship with your client.
Home care advice can include lifestyle suggestions such as ways to enhance a
healthy diet, promote good mental health and minimise stress, or increase physical
wellbeing.
Try to keep recommendations goal-oriented, specific, tangible, and measurable. For
example, rather than “drink more water”, you could say “you should be drinking
between 6-8 glasses of water a day. Since you only drink one glass a day currently,
aim to increase your intake to three glasses per day between now and next week.
Try having a glass with each meal”.

5. LIST THE 13 PHYSICAL/ PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF STONE MASSAGE.

1. Blood circulation is increased and the temperature of the body of using hot
stones are as follows is raised.
2. The increased body temperature causes an increase in the heart rate and the
pulse rate quickens.
3. Superficial capillaries dilate an attempt to cool the body. This vasodilation
causes an increase in blood flow to the area, nourishing every cell.
4. Hyperemia is produced; the skin reddens and warms. The overall skin color
can be improved.
5. Blood pressure is lowered because of the vasodilation
6. Lymphatic circulation is increased, speeding up the removal of waste products
and toxins.
7. Sensory nerve endings are soothed and there is a feeling of relaxation.
8. Tense, tight muscles are relaxed. After exercising it can prevent a build-up of
lactic acid, which can cause stiffness.
 9. Stone therapy can often be performed with cold stones (or neutral
temperature) usually made from marble or white quartzite. Cold/chill
treatments lower the body temperature. The main effects on the body of using
cold stones are as follows.
10. Blood circulation is decreased, and the temperature of the body is lowered.
11. Superficial capillaries constrict.
12. There is an analgesic effect on superficial nerve endings- pain impulses are
blocked, and the area becomes numb
13. There is a tightening effect on the skin, which can help skin tone when
reducing weight.

6. Describe the psychological effects of stone massage

Help reduce stress

− Massage therapies, including hot stone massage, help reduce stress and anxiety
by promoting body relaxation and reducing muscle tension, according to Some
scientific studies.
− In addition, hot stone massage reduces the body's release of cortisol, a hormone
that, when high in the body, can lead to stress, causing a constant state of alert.
Improves sleep quality
− Hot stone massage helps improve sleep quality and combat insomnia, as it helps
relax the body, making it easier to fall asleep faster and have a deeper, more
restorative sleep.
− A study conducted with postmenopausal women showed that receiving massages
was beneficial for improving insomnia, which is a common symptom at this stage of
a woman's life. See other symptoms of menopause and how to relieve them.
promotes intense relaxation
− Hot stone massage promotes intense relaxation of the body, as the heat reaches
the deepest muscle fibers in the region where it was placed, allowing the therapist to
perform the massage more deeply and without applying too much pressure.

Helps in the treatment of depression

− Hot stone massage can also help in the treatment of depression, as it helps to
release endorphins and serotonin, which are hormones that act on the brain to
regulate anxiety, increase happiness and improve mood.
Increases the feeling of well-being
− Hot stone massage helps promote the release of endorphins by the body, which
are substances that give a feeling of well-being.

Improves concentration
−Hot stone massage, by promoting better quality of sleep and combating insomnia,
also helps to increase energy levels during the day, concentration and focus.
−In addition, by stimulating the release of endorphins in the body, hot stone massage
helps to improve memory and attention, because when it is released, it increases the
feeling of well-being, which makes it easier to pay attention to external stimuli, in
addition to allowing external stimuli to be perceived more clearly. Generally, the
stone therapy treatment will leave the client feeling energized as the body systems
such as blood and lymphatic circulation are stimulated. A feeling of improved well-
being can increase the client’s confidence and self-esteem.
Many stone therapy treatments work on chakras and the person’s ‘aura’. This results
in more spiritual treatment, with the client often feeling more grounded, cleansed and
with renewed energy, both physically and mentally.

References:

Book: VCTC Professional Beauty Therapy level 3

Lorraine Nordmann
Hiperemia: o que é, causas e tratamento - Tua Saúde
Compression - Our Massage Techniques - Massage - Treatments - Physio.co.uk
NHS website for England - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Professional Beauty | Beauty Industry News, Insights & Events
Massage for Allergy: Can It Help Alleviate Symptoms? — Spa Theory
Erythema multiforme - BAD Patient Hub