How Massage Heals Sore Muscles
Citing a New York Times article by Nicholas Bakalar, February 6, 2012, researchers conducted studies on how massage soothes aching muscles. Experts have long contended that massage eases inflammation, improves blood flow and reduces muscle tightness. However, this study determined scientifically how this occurs.
In their experiment, participants were asked to exercise to exhaustian and undergo five incisions in their legs to obtain muscle tissue for analysis. The tissues were biopsied for analysis. The study was published in the Feb. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
The researchers screened massaged vs. unmassaged tissue to compare the differences. They found that massage reduced the production of compounds called cytokines, which play a critical role in inflammation. Massage also stimulated mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses inside cells that convert glucose into the energy essential for cell function and repair.
"The bottom line is that there apepars to be a suppression of pathways in inflammation and an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis," said the senior author, Dr. Masrk A. Tarnopolsky, a professor of pediatrics and medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario. This helps the muscle adapt to the demands of increased exercise. Dr. Tarnopolsky also stated that massage works quite differently from Msaids adn other anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce inflammation and pain but may actually retard healing.
Many people pop an aspirin or ibuprofen at the first sign of muscle soreness. 'There's some theoretical concern that there is a maladaptive response in teh lnog run if you're constantly suppressing inflammation with drugs," he said. "With massage, you can have your cake and eat it, too--massage can suppress inflammation and actually enhance cell recovery."