• Circulatory

Organs include heart, blood, blood vessels

• Lymphatic

Lymph Lymph nodes, Lymph vessels

• Digestive

Gastrointestinal tract, tube which goes from the mouth to the anus

• Endocrine

Glands and hormones

• Reproductive

Ovaries and testes

• Muscular

Skeletal, smooth, cardiac muscles are all included

• Skeletal

Bones and cartilage

• Nervous

Brain, spinal cord, and nerves

• Respiratory

Nose and lungs, transports oxygen to all parts of the body.

• Integumentary

Skin and special senses

• Urinary

Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra

The amount of blood supply to the muscle is proportional to the amount of activity done by the body in every day life, exercise and in the face of danger.  The latest estimate is that three (3) times more blood passes through muscles that are massaged on a regular basis than those at perpetual rest.  Petrissage or kneading the muscles along with compression movements forces venous flow to increase and lymph flow forcing the body to replace the fluids that are push out of the muscle tissue. In turn, supplying fresh new oxygenated blood to the muscles. Massage also aids the metabolic waste removal in the lymph system.

Massage will relieve stiff and soreness of muscles by work or exercise compared to the same muscles that are at passive rest for the same amount of time.  Muscle tissues that have suffered injury heals much more quickly with less connective tissue build up and scarring when therapeutic massage is applied on a regular basis. Massage can release fascial constrictions and reduce the thickening of connective tissues, which in turn allows for more flexibility in muscles. Friction when applied properly prevents and reduces the development of adhesion’s and excessive scarring following trauma to the tissues.

Massage Range of motion on the limbs that have limited amounts of range due to injury, inflammation, muscle tension or strain can experience greater mobility when applied by the therapist. The patient may experience levels of pain or discomfort during the treatment but experience more flexibility and range of motion once the treatment has ended. Passive massage movements will benefit circulation nourishment of the skin, relaxation and lengthening of muscles, soothe the nerves, and lubricate the joints.

When the therapist is in doubt on whether to give a massage or recommend a particular stretch the patient should be recommended to a primary health care provider and obtain the physician’s recommendations in writing. If the patient does not have a primary health care physician, the therapist can recommend someone that he knows to be familiar with massage therapy and supportive of the practice of massage.

The Effects and benefits of massage are vast and have an immediate impact of the psychological and physiological affects on the patient. Physcially massage will increase metabolism, speeds healing, relaxes and replenishes the muscles, and improves lympathic systems functions. Massage will prevent and relieve muscle cramps and spasms and improve blood flow. Massage will enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells and enhances the body’s natural ability to remove waste products.  The blood flow enhancements will also help the skin to function in a normal and healthy manner. Massage therapy is effective in pain management in conditions such as arthritis, neuritis, neuralgia, whiplash, muscular lesions, sciatica, headaches, muscular spasms, and many many other conditions.

Psychologically, massage will relieve fatigue, reduce tension and anxiety, calm the nervous system and allow the patient to relax. A sense of well being and promotion of renewed energy are often affects that can be felt after a 30 minute session.

One used to have one’s tonsils removed because of the gland inflammation and choking hazards. Doctors have since found out that the tonsils play an important role in the immune system. They help protect against bacteria that may invade tissues in the areas around openings such as nasals and oral cavities. So the thymus, overall, is not the largest of the lymphatic system but could be called one of the most important of glands in the lymphatic system. If you wanted to know the largest of the lymphatic organs it would be the spleen, but I will cover that organ in my next article.

The largest of the two terminals where lymph flow terminates is the thoracic duct which collects the lymph flow of approximately 3/4 of the body’s lymph drainage. The remaining lymph flows into the right lymphatic duct. Lymph flow is of course one way. There at lymphatic vessels which have a “beaded” appearance caused these valves that assist in maintaining the flow of lymph to the two terminating point in the body. The cisterna chyli is an enlarged pouch-like structure in the lymphatic system which lymph flows into. Lymph nodes are the main filtration structures in the lymph system. Lymph flows in various directions towards lymph nodes where they get put into the lymphatic veins which they has lymph flowing to the largest lymph glands of the body and finally excreted from the body.

The Circulatory system – The circulatory system is made of  the heart, arteries, veins and capaillaries. The muscular pumping device is called the heart. The cirulatory system is a closed system of vessels. The primary function of the cardiovasculary system is transportation. The bloodstream helps regulate body temperature, involved with immunity and carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and hormones.

The Lymphatic system – The lymphatic system is composed of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, tonsils, thymus and spleen. The thymus functions as an organ for both the lymphatic system and the endocrine system. Lymph is a whitish, watery fluid that contains lymphocyctes, proteins, and fatty molecules. Lymph does not contain any red blood cells.  The areas of the body with many lymph nodes are the armpit or axillary area, the groin, and inguinal.

The respiratory system – The resporatory system is composed of the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The tiny, thin-walled sacs of the lungs are called alveoli and look similar to small grapes under a microscope.  Carbon dioxide is eliminated from the body via the lungs of the respiratory system.

The Digestive system – The digestive system uses another word for chewing and it is masstication. The flap that seperates the esophagus and the trachea is called the epiglotis. The appendix looks like a little pinky finger hanging off the large intestine. Inflamation of the appendix is called appendicitis. The gastroinestinal tract(GI) is comprised of the primary organs which include the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anal canal.  The GI tract is a tube created by the primary organs taht is open at both ends.  Feces is eliminated from the anus

The Urinary system – The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The kidneys play an important role in maintaining the electrolyte, water and acid-base balances of the body. The waste that the kidneys produce is called urine. The order of he body parts that allow waste flow from the kidneys is the ureters, bladder, and finally the urethra. In men, the urethra or penis is part of the urinary and reproductive system. Water and salts are eliminated by the kidneys of the urinary system.

The reproductive system – The female gonads of the reproductive system are also called the ovaries. The male gonads are called testes.