Stimulating the nervous system through touch can encourage the brain to instruct the endocrine system to release chemical messengers or hormones into the bloodstream, to regulate and balance body functions. The hormone released from the thyroid gland regulates the metabolic rate, while corticosteroids maintain homeostasis, insulin and glucagon maintain the balance of sugar levels in the blood. Massage also makes the body release other chemicals to counteract stress.
Effects of massage
Massage on its own can combat stress by slowly working tension out of all the muscles, especially the neck and shoulders, allowing the body to relax. It also encourages the endocrine system to balance your body by producing the correct amount of hormones.
