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[H1270]How To Increase Blood Circulation

by Annmarier, Ann

Taking a Swedish massage will help to relax the muscles as well as increase blood circulation, and it is a massage system that incorporates many different techniques to achieve these goals. It works through application of deep pressure to the muscles and bones, and the rubbing is done in the direction in which blood flows towards the heart.

Developed by Pehr Henrik Ling In 1812

Swedish massage was developed by Pehr Henrik Ling in the year 1812, and has since gained a lot of attention and popularity as a commonly used form of massage. It uses long gliding strokes, kneading of muscles, friction, vibration and effleurage as well as hacking or tapping on the skin.

Swedish massage is quite safe to use, though under certain medical conditions it should be performed with caution. If you have a cardiovascular condition, or heart disease such as thrombosis, phlebitis, and oedema, consult a health care professional before using this form of massage.

When you do take a Swedish massage, your body will be draped in a sheet and one part of the body is then uncovered at a time for work, and then covered again while the massage therapist moves onto the next area. You may also expect that oils and lotions will be used to allow for more enhanced relaxation and more gently rubbing, and the complete massage should be over in an hour or 90 minutes.

Taking a Swedish massage will provide you with a number of benefits, although it is mainly instrumental in providing relaxation. These massage techniques will also invigorate the body, increase the flow of oxygen in the blood, and effectively release toxins and waste. There are a number of things that the Swedish massage accomplishes such as improving circulation, easing aches and pains in muscles, reducing tension in muscles, improving flexibility and making a person more relaxed.

Swedish massage also works well on the skin, nerves, muscles and glands, and will generally allow a person to enjoy a healthier life and an overall sense of well being. It can also be used to treat injuries like strained muscles, and the recovery time is reduced as the uric acid from the tissues gets flushed out and the lactic acid and waste are eliminated.

Besides increasing blood circulation, Swedish massage will also provide relief from physical and emotional stress and is often used in stress management programs.

• Your body contain roughly 6 quarts (5.6 liters) of blood
• Blood daily travels about 12,000 miles
• Your heart beats approximately 35 million times each year
• During an average human lifetime, the heart will pump about a million barrels of blood. That is enough to fill up three supertankers!

Blood: our lifeline

We know that we need blood to live, but what exactly does it do for our bodies? The red colored liquid travels throughout our hearts, arteries, capillaries and veins. In its journey, the blood also does a little multi-tasking. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to the body's issues, while removing metabolic waste from them. The blood is rich in protein, thickens when it contacts damaged tissue, helps to control the balance of fluids in humans, and aids in the body in maintaining the correct temperature.

In a nutshell, the blood is the lifeline of the body. So that explains why good blood circulation is so vital. The blood circulation is continuous, and involves a trip that would make any frequent flyer green with envy. First, the heart pumps out blood throughout tiny vessels in the body. Then the blood meets in the veins and returns back to the heart. Afterwards, the blood flows through our lungs, and then returns to the heart again.

A small world

In this complicated process, it is vital that blood flows properly through each part that needs it. For example, the brain gets about 15% of the blood that the heart pumps out. Meanwhile, when muscles contract, they produce “metabolites” that circulating blood removes. Blood must also flow properly from the coronary arteries, to the heart. This involves about 5% of blood that the heart pumps. Next, when you are in hot temperatures, more blood is pumped to your skin (think air conditioner), but nearly no blood is pumped there in cold temperatures. Blood circulation is also important for absorbing and digesting food. Finally, though kidneys are fairly small organs, they get roughly 20% of the blood that the heart pumps out.

Problems and solutions

So what happens when someone suffers from various blood circulation problems? Many discomforts form. These include cold hands and feet, aches that excess lactic acid in the muscles cause, exhaustion, and fluid in the toes.

Several methods can be used to improve blood circulation:

• Calendula Officinalis (pot marigold plant)
• Cayenne (created from dried peppers)
• Damiana (shrub native to Central America)
• Exercising (low-impact)
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo (Asian tree)
• Hydrotherapy (translation: hot and cold showers)
• Onions
• Reetha (herb)
• Tamri Bancha (translation: soy sauce + tea)
• Ume-Sho-Bancha with ginger (drink)
• Wine with rosemary flowers or leaves

Massage, such as hot stone massages, is another ideal way to treat poor blood circulation. The massage method helps blood to move through areas where it is getting clogged up. Also, the pressure from the massage allows new blood to flow in. The massage's pulling squeezing also removes lactic acid from the muscles. And the lymph fluid circulation is boosted. Lymph nodes are small groups of tissue where white blood cells are formed. This process is important, as the metabolic waste is transported away from the muscles and internal organs. The end result is that blood pressure is reduced and the body's overall functioning is improved.

Blood circulation serves as one of the most important functions of our bodies, providing a lifeline to various tissues and organs. Poor blood circulation, though problematic, can be solved by using a variety of techniques, including massage with hot stones. That will give us the energy to continue through our day-to-day lives.

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Both Annmarier & Chris Turley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Annmarier has sinced written about articles on various topics from Build Muscle, Gardening and Gardening. Ann Marier a prolific writer has written many informative articles on different . Her latest articles examine. Annmarier's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.

Chris Turley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Massage, Web Development and Home Management. To learn more about how kits can relieve muscle problems, go to