Going with the flow

Have you ever wondered why your massage therapist alters their pressure in different directions, particularly when working on your limbs?

Your heart pumps oxygen-rich blood into a network of arteries, which are strong, muscular vessels built to carry pressurised blood throughout the body and deliver it to your tissues. Once the oxygen has been used, the de-oxygenated blood returns to the heart through a system of veins. Because this blood moves under much lower pressure, vein walls are thinner and contain valves that prevent back-flow, helping the blood travel back toward the heart, often against gravity.

Massaging in the direction of the heart supports healthy circulation by working with the body’s natural flow of blood. Your massage therapist will apply firmer pressure when moving up the leg and lighter pressure when gliding back down toward the foot. This approach avoids placing unnecessary strain on the valves within the veins, which, in extreme circumstances could potentially damage these delicate structures.

Of course, veins and arteries aren’t the only highways carrying fluid back to the heart. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and tissues that collect and move lymph fluid, eventually returning it to the bloodstream. It’s a vital part of your immune system, protecting you from infections and dealing with abnormal or spent cells your body no longer needs. It also plays a part in maintaining body fluid levels and transporting essential nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins into the bloodstream.

Much like veins, the lymphatic vessels generally contain values, and move fluid in the direction of the heart, relying on the surrounding muscles to help the flow. Massaging the body can gently encourage the movement of lymph, helping your body clear waste and maintain fluid balance.

Simply put, by working with the natural flow of blood and lymph, rather than against it, massage supports circulation, aids in clearing waste, and helps keep your tissues healthy. It’s a simple way to give your body that extra boost, helping it stay balanced, energised, and working at its best.

going with the