Muscular:
- Relieves tension
- Increases blood and lymph circulation
- Reduces soreness and feeling of fatigue
- Reduces trigger points
- Separates muscle fibers
- Improves performance
- Improves balance and posture
- Increases proprioception (body awareness)
- Increases range of motion
- Improves muscle tone
- Mobilizes nutrients into the muscles and removes waste
Skeletal:
- Increases mineral retention in the bones (nitrogen, sulfur and phosporus)
Nervous:
- Promotes relaxation
- Decreases pain sensation, releases of endorphins
- Activates sensory receptors
Cardiovascular:
- Dilates blood vessels
- Improves blood flow
- Mobilizes nutrients into the tissue
- Reduces ischemia (lack of oxygen in tissues)
- Decreases blood pressure and slows heart beat
Integumentary:
- Increases skin temperature
- Improves skin condition
- Reduces formation of scar tissue
Urinary:
- Promotes excretion of metabolic wastes
- Increases urine output
Endocrine:
- Increases levels of dopamine and serotonin (reduction of stress levels and depression)
- Reduces levels of cortisol and norepinephrine (increasing stress levels and decreasing immune function)
Lymphatic:
- Promotes lymph circulation
- Increases lymphocyte count
- Increases the number and function of natural killer cells (white blood cells)
- Improves immune response