How Effective is Massage
The Jury is out about the scientific benefits of massage but one thing is for certain. Popular opinion is not out about the benefits of massage. People pay big bucks for 15 minutes of massage by a student in a busy airport. It feels good, it relieves stress, reduces stiffness, reduces muscle soreness and promotes a general feeling of well being.
There are many claims about the possible benefits of massage by people with great reputations and enough letters behind their name to be able to make a substantial claim. But the alternative view is also littered with just as much evidence.
My view is that it is important to make up your own mind about the subject and understand a few key points about massage. First, all science aside weather not there is a hormonal response, increase in blood flow, reduction of stiffness, increase in flexibility it doesn’t really matter. What matters is what the subject of the massage thinks. If the person receiving the massage associates great benefit with the massage it doesn’t really matter what the science says. The mind is a powerful thing and placebos have been shown to be as effective as actual treatment.
So, if massage reduces anxiety, elevates mood and improves relaxation there is a very high chance that the athlete will have a better recovery from their workout. It is no secret that recovery is a huge part of the physical conditioning regime. Without proper recovery any time spent in the gym is wasted and if therapeutic massage can give you the edge you need to get that proper recovery, by all means get a massage.
Another often touted claim is that massage increases blood flow to effected areas, maybe, maybe not, but once again if the person thinks it helps then it does. If a person thinks that more nutrition will make it to massaged muscle cells due to stimulation then you can make the argument that they will possibly eat a healthier diet following the massage and the exercise.
In the athletic world wins are measured by milliseconds and anything that gives an edge over a competitor has the opportunity to be the missing ingredient. In the real world anything that makes you feel better or just more relaxed can be the difference between a good week and a bad one.
Truth be told it may be all in your mind but anecdotally it is unlikely that all of the people that swear by massage are wrong. Give the body the tools it need to heal and it can do some amazing things.
reading this makes me want to have a massage therapy right now. : ). Significantly, i get a massage no less than two times monthly it became a necessity greater than a luxury for me also it became our driving force for starting a home spa small business.