YOUR HEALTH and massage therapy research

YOUR HEALTH and massage therapy research

Massage has long been accepted as a method for relieving pain, stress, and muscle tension. Scientists at McMaster University recently documented its profound biochemical effect on muscle tissue in research published in Science Translational Medicine. The research revealed that just a ten minute massage triggers anti-inflammation signals in muscle tissue. Not only does reduced inflammation help to decrease pain in damaged muscles, functioning similarly to anti-inflammatory medication, but there is also evidence that these signals encourage increased production of mitochondria. Mitochondria are organelles within cells that convert food into energy. Commonly regarded as the power house of cells, they can contribute to muscle endurance and play an important role in the healing process.

In the study, eleven young men cycled on a stationary bike for over 70 minutes to a point of exhaustion. Following this exercise, a massage therapist performed massage for 10 minutes on one leg. Biopsies were taken from the quadriceps of both legs immediately following the massage, and again 2.5 hours later. Reduced inflammation and an increase in mitochondria production were found in the massaged leg.

The notable potency of a ten minute massage relative to 70 minutes of high-intensity activity is a remarkable advancement for the massage therapy community. Although this particular study focused on the benefit of massage following exercise, the biological impact could be far reaching. The study’s lead author, Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, suggests that massage may be beneficial for those suffering from any condition associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, such as muscle atrophy and insulin resistance, as well as those with chronic inflammatory disease such as arthritis or muscular dystrophy. More research must be conducted at a cellular level to determine the efficacy of massage for treating these conditions, among many more.

This study provided merely a glimpse into the potential biochemical benefits of massage therapy, but it paved the way to a vast realm of research that has been untapped until now.