Who Says Massage Therapy Is Important For Athletes?...Well Science Does.

For those of us who have had a massage, we know it can help us relax, recover, de-stress, and that it just feels good. But what does massage actually do to help our sore muscles when examined at the biochemical level? Does it really have an impact?

According to researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, massage therapy triggers the body to send out signals that reduce muscular inflammation. In their 2012 study, researchers had 11 test subjects pedal on a stationary bike for 70 minutes to the point of exhaustion and then let them rest for ten minutes. After the rest period the subjects were given a 10 minute leg massage using a variety of massage techniques. Researchers then took muscle biopsies from the subjects quadriceps. What they found is that the massage had a profound effect on muscle inflammation and that the muscles had received signals to produce more cellular mitochondria, which are the energy producing powerhouses fueling cellular metabolism. The results hint that massage therapy blunts muscle pain by the same biological mechanisms as most pain medications and could be an effective alternative for healing and pain relief.

For athletes who are sore from regular workouts, a massage can help you recover faster and get you back to an optimal state, making your next workout more effective. Book your sports massage today and see how we can help optimize your fitness.