Three Myth-Conceptions About Massage Therapy
By Maria Baffo,LMT
Let me begin by saying that it’s reason enough to get a massage simply because it feels good. Extensive scientific
research has proven that massage does perform a number of wonderful, therapeutic services for your
body…among them:
• alleviates muscle spasm and soreness • diminishes chronic pain
• increases flexibility and range of motion • calms the nervous system
• lowers blood pressure and heart rate • increases immune system activity
• reduces tension headaches • improves concentration
• promotes restorative sleep and mental relaxation.
The therapeutic benefits of massage are many and certainly worth knowing. It is equally as important to know and
understand the limitations of massage therapy before signing up for a session. Informed choice is always best. That
being said, there are some serious myth-conceptions out there regarding the benefits of massage. I believe a brief
debunking is in order.
MYTH#1 Massage releases and helps eliminate toxins from the body.
I have never encountered even one massage therapist who could give me the name of any specific toxin that
massage helps eliminate from the body. It is a fact that the human body does store POPs (persistent organic
pollutants) in fatty tissues and heavy metals in our bones, but there is no conclusive proof or research figures to
support the idea that the mechanical pressure of even a deep tissue massage can release these toxins for
elimination. I would however, suggest cutting down on the lead paint chips -- and those preservative-filled snack
cakes.
MYTH#2 It is important to drink water immediately following a massage.
My fellow massage therapists may not want you to know this, but as long as you are not suffering from respiratory
failure, liver, or kidney disease, your body removes the wastes from normal everyday cellular metabolism just fine.
Every minute your heart beats, your blood volume circulates through the lungs, liver, and kidneys. These organs,
located deep enough in the body to be isolated from the mechanical pressure of massage, were marvelously
designed to eliminate the by-products of metabolism -- carbon dioxide, urea, and mineral salts. There is no
immediate need to drink water after a massage in order to dilute these compounds. If you truly have an
accumulation of these compounds in your body, you have bigger problems than a tall glass of water and a day at
the spa will fix. Consult your physician.
MYTH#3 Massage flushes out lactic acid and therefore alleviates post exercise muscle soreness. I feel so sorry
for this much-maligned wonder of biochemistry. Lactic acid is a key player in glucose metabolism. The body uses
the energy from the breakdown of glucose to form ATP, which is the spark that sets off muscle contraction. It is
actually the hydrogen ion (cleaved from adenosine triphosphate during extreme physical exertion) that is
responsible for the burning sensation in the muscles.
The production of hydrogen ions at such a high rate dissipates immediately after the exertion. Hydrogen ions do
not build up and then hang around for days waiting for the massage therapists to wring them out of your body. The
soreness you feel 24-48 hours after a workout is due to micro-trauma to the muscle fibers and the resultant
inflammation. Important to note: Massage has been shown to help reduce inflammation response and promote the
feeling of recovery from a hard workout.
There are many reasons to have a massage (list above). Who benefits from massage therapy? Anyone who
routinely and/or strenuously stretches their physical limits through movement -- running, cycling, swimming, hiking,
dancing, tennis, strength training. Anyone with sore, strained or spasming muscles. Anyone who is under stress.
Anyone who suffers from tension headaches or high blood pressure or chronic pain. Anyone. Everyone.
. The absolute best reason to get a massage? Because it feels good.
By Maria Baffo,LMT
Let me begin by saying that it’s reason enough to get a massage simply because it feels good. Extensive scientific
research has proven that massage does perform a number of wonderful, therapeutic services for your
body…among them:
• alleviates muscle spasm and soreness • diminishes chronic pain
• increases flexibility and range of motion • calms the nervous system
• lowers blood pressure and heart rate • increases immune system activity
• reduces tension headaches • improves concentration
• promotes restorative sleep and mental relaxation.
The therapeutic benefits of massage are many and certainly worth knowing. It is equally as important to know and
understand the limitations of massage therapy before signing up for a session. Informed choice is always best. That
being said, there are some serious myth-conceptions out there regarding the benefits of massage. I believe a brief
debunking is in order.
MYTH#1 Massage releases and helps eliminate toxins from the body.
I have never encountered even one massage therapist who could give me the name of any specific toxin that
massage helps eliminate from the body. It is a fact that the human body does store POPs (persistent organic
pollutants) in fatty tissues and heavy metals in our bones, but there is no conclusive proof or research figures to
support the idea that the mechanical pressure of even a deep tissue massage can release these toxins for
elimination. I would however, suggest cutting down on the lead paint chips -- and those preservative-filled snack
cakes.
MYTH#2 It is important to drink water immediately following a massage.
My fellow massage therapists may not want you to know this, but as long as you are not suffering from respiratory
failure, liver, or kidney disease, your body removes the wastes from normal everyday cellular metabolism just fine.
Every minute your heart beats, your blood volume circulates through the lungs, liver, and kidneys. These organs,
located deep enough in the body to be isolated from the mechanical pressure of massage, were marvelously
designed to eliminate the by-products of metabolism -- carbon dioxide, urea, and mineral salts. There is no
immediate need to drink water after a massage in order to dilute these compounds. If you truly have an
accumulation of these compounds in your body, you have bigger problems than a tall glass of water and a day at
the spa will fix. Consult your physician.
MYTH#3 Massage flushes out lactic acid and therefore alleviates post exercise muscle soreness. I feel so sorry
for this much-maligned wonder of biochemistry. Lactic acid is a key player in glucose metabolism. The body uses
the energy from the breakdown of glucose to form ATP, which is the spark that sets off muscle contraction. It is
actually the hydrogen ion (cleaved from adenosine triphosphate during extreme physical exertion) that is
responsible for the burning sensation in the muscles.
The production of hydrogen ions at such a high rate dissipates immediately after the exertion. Hydrogen ions do
not build up and then hang around for days waiting for the massage therapists to wring them out of your body. The
soreness you feel 24-48 hours after a workout is due to micro-trauma to the muscle fibers and the resultant
inflammation. Important to note: Massage has been shown to help reduce inflammation response and promote the
feeling of recovery from a hard workout.
There are many reasons to have a massage (list above). Who benefits from massage therapy? Anyone who
routinely and/or strenuously stretches their physical limits through movement -- running, cycling, swimming, hiking,
dancing, tennis, strength training. Anyone with sore, strained or spasming muscles. Anyone who is under stress.
Anyone who suffers from tension headaches or high blood pressure or chronic pain. Anyone. Everyone.
. The absolute best reason to get a massage? Because it feels good.
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