Increases mineral retention. Massage increases the retention of mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus in bones.
Promotes fracture healing. Massage increases circulation around the fracture, which leads to increased deposition of callus to the bone. A callus is formed between and around the broken ends of a fractured bone during healing and is ultimately replaced by compact bone.

Relieves muscular tension. Therapeutic massage relieves muscular restrictions, tightness, stiffness and spasms. These effects are achieved by direct pressure and increasing circulation resulting in more flexible supple and resilient muscle.
Tone weak muscles. Muscle spindle activity is increased during massage strokes (e.g. tupotement, vibration). An increase in muscle spindle activity creates muscle contractions helping tone weak muscles. This effect is particularly beneficial in cases of prolonged bed rest, flaccidity and atrophy.
Increases flexibility and range of motion.
Reduces soreness and fatigue. Therapeutic massage enhances blood circulation, increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients available to the muscles. Increased oxygen and nutrients reduce muscle fatigue and post exercise soreness. Massage promotes rapid disposal of waste products further reducing muscle fatigue.
Lengthens muscles. Therapeutic massage mechanically stretches and broadens tissue, especially when combined with joint mobilization and stretches. These changes are detected by Gogli tendon ogans which inhibit a contraction signal, further lengthening muscles. Massage retains the muscle tissue from a contracted state to an elongated state, increasing resting length.

Increases skin temperature. Warming of the skin indicates a reduction of stress and other benefits.
Improves skin condition. As superficial blood vessels dilate and circulation increase, the skin appears hyperemic. This brings added nutrients to the skin improving the skins condition, texture and tone.

Improves blood circulation. Deep stroking improves blood circulation by mechanically assisting venous blood flow back to the heart. The increase of blood flow is comparable with that of exercise. It has been documented that local circulation increase during massage is up to three times more than circulation at rest.
Promotes removal of waste products. Not only are nutrients brought to cells and tissues, but metabolic waste products are removed more rapidly through massage.
Decreases blood pressure. Blood pressure is decreased by the dilation of the blood vessels.
Increases red blood cell count. The number of functioning red blood cells and their oxygen carrying capacity are increased. It is speculated that this effect is achieved by promoting the spleens discharge of red blood cells (RBC), recruiting excess blood from engorged internal organs to general circulation, and stimulating stagnant capillary beds and returning this blood into general circulation.
Increase WBC count. The presence of white blood cells (WBC) increases after massage. This increase enables the body to more effectively protect itself against disease.

Increases lymphatic count. Lymphocytes are types of WBCs. This indicates that massage supports immune functions.

Reduces stress. Stress is reduced by activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Reduces anxiety.
Decreases pain. Massage relieves local and referred pain caused by hypersensitive trigger points. Massage also stimulates the release of endorphines (endogenous morphite), enkephalins and other pain reducing neurochemicals. The pressure of a massage interferes with pain information entering the spinal cord by stimulating pressure receptors, further reducing pain. (Gate Theory)

Increases fluid discharge from the lungs.
Reduces respiration rate.
Improves pulmonary function, relaxation. Relaxation plays a big role in how massage improves pulmonary function, but massage also loosens tight respiratory muscles and fascia.

Increases dopamine levels. Linked to decreased stress levels and reduced depression.
Increases serotonin levels. It is believed that serotonin inhibits transmission of noxious signals to the brain, indicating that increase levels of serotonin may also reduce pain.
Reduces cortisol level. Elevated levels of cortisol not only represent heightened stress, but also inhibited immune functions.

Promotes the excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus and sodium chloride in the urine.