Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord — the body's command center affected by massage.
The central nervous system (CNS) — comprising the brain and spinal cord — processes all sensory input from massage, coordinating the relaxation response. Effective bodywork modulates CNS activity, shifting the body from sympathetic (stress) to parasympathetic (relaxation) dominance. This neurological shift is the primary mechanism through which massage achieves its wide-ranging health benefits.