massage

A form of physical therapy involving rubbing, kneading, and tapping body parts. Massage is used to accelerate healing of sports injuries and to prepare athletes for competition by improving muscle tone and circulation. Its benefits, depending on which form of massage is being used, include relaxation, neural stimulation, increased blood flow, and improved drainage from lymph vessels. It requires experienced application because of the risk of damage: massage of a recently traumatized muscle may disturb a clot and cause further haemorrhaging. Massage is not advised for those with circulatory, dermatological, or cardiac problems.