Massages feel good. This is a universal truth. Nothing refreshes us more than a rejuvenating full body massage. Whenever we face muscle exhaustion, or an injury, massage becomes something inevitable. But the poignant question is whether massage actually aids a faster recovery of muscle injury. Well, it turns out that a good massage actually helps in the faster recovery of muscle injuries. The scientists at Wyss Institute and Havard did conduct an experiment. They applied precise pressure upon injured leg muscles. It was found out that these muscles recovered and became stronger than the muscles which were left untreated.
Bo Ri Seo, who is a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dave Mooney at the Wyss Institute and SEAS, states that
“Lots of people have been trying to study the beneficial effects of massage and other mechanotherapies on the body, but up to this point it hadn’t been done in a systematic, reproducible way,”
He further added “Our work shows a very clear connection between mechanical stimulation and immune function. This has promise for regenerating a wide variety of tissues including bone, tendon, hair, and skin, and can also be used in patients with diseases that prevent the use of drug-based interventions.”
There is no doubt that massages are integral, they help in treating muscle injuries faster however it is important to note that it does not substitute a treatment. If one suffers from a muscle injury, it is integral to consult a medical practitioner before opting for a massage therapy. Massage therapy too is divided into categories. This is because there is a considerable amount of diversity in terms of body type and the kind of injury obtained. There are several factors which are to be kept in mind. The massage has to be at par with the treatment concerned.
However, for something like a basic exhaustion or muscle pull a good massage is paramount. A good massage therapy and proper hydration can actually help in maintaining good muscle health in people. It not only provides a good amount of relaxation, works on the present knots but also generates a good circulation within the body. In fact, athletes and others who are into high intensity workouts, are recommended for massage therapy. It is not something which can be categorised into a mere luxury, it is crucial for holistic wellness.
Let us come to the idea of injuries and try to evaluate whether or not a massage is beneficial. One of the categories of injury is what we refer to as chronic pain. This can be a persisting injury or a lifestyle pattern that generates pain in the body. This is the kind of pain that shows up after a certain interval or when you conduct a specific movement. It is something that can actually take years to heal. However, it is something that people are often forced to deal with because they don’t have a choice.
A very common example would be the pain that we experience in the lower neck that ends somewhere in our back. Often, the sedentary lifestyle is blamed for such pain. It is something that becomes so common that at a point we even forget to take notice of it. However, considering an individual’s work profile, people are often required to sit in front of the computer for hours, for days. It is quite obvious that one would not straight up change their job just to acknowledge the pain. It is something which has to be done. Similarly, this has been the case with a number of people from all the age groups especially young adults, adults and the senior citizens.
This is the kind of pain that requires massage. A proper deep tissue massage therapy actually aids in eradicating the pain completely. However, in order to eradicate the pain away it is important to schedule a massage after a certain interval and continue the therapy. There should not be any break or disruption in the schedule. This will stop the pain from recurring. Along with the massage therapy, of course we cannot rule out the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. That is necessary.
Then we come to the second category of injury or pain, this is known as acute pain. Acute pain is not at all cute as the name implies. It is the result of a direct or explicit experience. It usually occurs when the injury is really fresh. This is a kind of pain that is constant and it largely restricts one’s motion. Apart from that a slight touch or even a mere pressure can be extremely menacing. In such a condition obviously a deep tissue therapy is not the right choice. However, we cannot rule out the idea of massage.
A well versed therapist will use some gentle Swedish strokes. This will enhance blood flow. It will not hurt, rather it will promote relaxation. This in turn will help in the healing process. It also helps in removing excess fluid in case there is swelling. It will not magically make the pain go away but it will boost the process of recovery. What it does is that it breaks the restriction and one can increase their range of motion. Once a body part starts moving, it implies it is in function thus giving a way to its speedy recovery.
Conclusion:-
it is true that massage therapy can definitely aid in the faster recovery of a muscle injury. However, it should be at par with the medical treatment. Further, it is always advisable to have a therapist who is furnished with the right knowledge and the expertise to be able to cater to specific injuries on specific body types. It is scientifically proven that massages are indeed helpful in maintaining the general health of the muscles and during injuries. Not only that, regular massage therapies reduce the chances of future injuries.