The Circulatory System and massage therapy

Massage increases the blood oxygen supply and nutrition to
muscles without adding to their load of toxic lactic acid, produced
through voluntary muscle contraction. Massage thus helps
to overcome and remove harmful "fatigue" products resulting from
strenuous exercise, injury, or stress. Massage can compensate,
at least in part, for lack of exercise and muscular contraction
in persons who, because of injury, illness, or age, are forced to
remain inactive. In these cases, massage helps return venous
blood to the heart and so eases the strain on this vital organ.
Massage also is known to improve blood circulation throughout
the body, especially the extremeties, and can help minimize the
appearance and occurrence of spider veins and varicose veins.