Athletes have been using massage for centuries to help relieve muscle aches, relax muscles, facilitate healing, and remove lactic acid. There is no doubt that the laying on of hands has a calming effect on the body, but does scientific research support any other effects of massage?

The effects of massage can be divided into three categories: psychological, physiological, mechanical.

Psychological : Many studies have shown that the laying on of hands (human touch) can reduce anxiety, tension and pain, and can increase a person’s sense of well-being. Massage also increases a patient’s perception of recovery. Studies also show that the absence of human touch increases anxiety, tension and pain. So, perhaps touch is a basic human need.

Physiological : The physiological benefits of massage have been promoted for so long that they have reached mythological status. Increased muscle size, increased muscle performance, increased oxygen carrying capacity of blood cells, increased blood circulation, increased/faster healing, removal of lactic acid, increased flexibility, increased pain threshold, stimulates release of endorphins and cortisol. Unfortunately, scientific research supports only a few of these benefits. There are no proven effects on metabolism, oxygen carrying capacity of blood, muscle size, cortisol, lactic acid, pain threshold, and healing. Interestingly, muscle performance may actually decrease after massage. What scientific research does support is that massage is effective in decreasing blood pressure and heart rate.

Mechanical : The primary benefits of massage are achieved through the mechanical effects—the movement of blood and lymph, and the loosening of adhesions/breakdown of scar tissue, and the relaxation of muscle tissue. Physics and research support the physical movement of fluids via pressure/massage. There is little doubt that massage can move fluid from one area of the body to another, but exactly which fluids and via what route/channel is still unclear. Scar tissue is broken down from repeated direct pressure, much like a wearing a hole in your shoe from walking. Direct pressure on specific regions of the muscle will cause it to relax (reflex inhibition) via neurological stimulation.

Massage therapy is utilized extensively at C.O.A.S.T. Rehab. We use massage primarily for breaking up scar tissue, reducing muscle spasm/relaxing muscle, reducing swelling, and reducing pain. Massages can be scheduled separately from physical therapy appointments.