SCIENCE OF MASSAGE
For anyone invested in their health and fitness, is professional massage worth the time, effort and occasional discomfort, or is it just another unnecessary expense?
In the attempt to reach peak physical performance, or simply to become slightly healthier versions of ourselves, most of us have been guilty of overlooking and undervaluing the importance of recovery and relaxation. While committing to regular exercise is a big part of the puzzle, so is giving the body the opportunity to recuperate and decompress.
For some, undergoing a massage is an effective and enjoyable way to aid rehabilitation. While others see this ancient practice as luxurious and decadent. So, what is the truth? What does the science say? Are some of us guilty of selling massages short, or should we all class them as nothing more than a pleasant indulgence?
Looking back
It’s likely that massage first emerged in ancient India or China, before spreading across Asia and Europe. One of the earliest known depictions of massage – or an activity akin to it – is etched onto the Tomb of Akmanthor, sometimes called ‘The Tomb of the Physician’, in Saqqara, Egypt. Thought to be from around 2330BC, the tomb clearly shows two men having their feet and hands attended to by servants.
The very earliest practitioners of massage considered there to be an intrinsic link between touch and healing. As such, it has long played a significant role in treating a range of ailments, ranging from headaches to chronic back pain. It’s been a Chinese medicine mainstay for thousands of years, owing to the belief that by manipulating the body and redistributing energy, it’s possible to restore balance and harmony.
Even Hippocrates was a vocal proponent of massage. He was adamant that a well delivered muscle rub could not only promote relaxation, but could enhance circulation, alleviate medical issues, and make muscles stronger.
“Massage is an age-old tool used to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, reduce stress and aid relaxation, and support recovery,” confirms Dr Christopher Holland, head of the Department for Sport Management, Therapy and Exercise at the University of Worcester. “But despite its widespread use, the definitive physiological effects of massage are still unclear, with the associated effects dependent upon the time of the massage, and the type of massage technique used.”
There are various ways to deliver a massage, with a host of outcomes that can be achieved. Swedish massage, for example, is renowned for its combination of gentle strokes and kneading – with a focus on relaxation and stress relief. Deep-tissue massage, on the other hand, targets deeper layers of muscle tissue as a means of alleviating tension and pain. Thai massage is less intense, and is in some ways closer to yoga. It involves stretching and compression tech
