Massage to relieve muscle ailments has been practiced for a long time, but paradoxically, it has remained very controversial in the reduction of muscle aches. Certain studies had certainly shown that it slightly increased the superficial venous circulation but without proving a real impact on the durable reduction of the pain. In addition, when massaging the painful area, sensitive fibers perceive it and transmit contact information to the brain. For a short time, the brain no longer receives the message of inflammation and the pain subsides. It is the same mechanism as when scratching a mosquito bite. Unfortunately, the pain resumes as soon as the massage is over.

A change in metabolism

In recent times, scientific research has nevertheless shown that massage is probably not devoid of therapeutic value. In February 2012, Canadian researchers revealed that massage causes significant metabolic changes in the muscle. The mechanical messages delivered by massages cause certain proteins to modify their chemical structure and induce a cascade of biological events, including the activation of genes. In particular, the research team observed the modification of 9 different genes involved in reducing the mechanisms of inflammation.

This is not the only discovery: according to the results of this study, massage promotes the creation of mitochondria, cellular structures involved in energy management. This increase in the number of mitochondria within the cell would allow better healing of muscle micro-lesions: the more the number of mitochondria increases, the more the energy machinery will be efficient and the better the muscle recovery will be. If the study shows that a 10-minute massage is enough to modify the metabolism, it remains to determine the optimal dosage: how long after the effort? In what way? How long ? Deep or shallow? 

The psychosomatic effect

In addition to these biological effects still largely misunderstood, massages have above all a strong psychological impact. If athletes are also asking for these practices², it is not only because they are pleasant, but because they act on the perception of their body and on their body diagram³. A study⁴carried out in professional clubs has shown that athletes give massages a lot of credit for muscle recovery. So even if the studies are not yet unanimous on this subject, massage seems to be an acceptable technique for relieving pain (as long as it is not too aggressive). The pretext for obtaining it is, in any case, honorable!

Sources: Sources: JD Crane, DI Ogborn, C. Cupido, S. Melov, A. Hubbard, JM Bourgeois, MA Tarnopolsky. Massage Therapy Attenuates Inflammatory Signaling After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage. Science Translational Medicine, 2012; 4 (119). CARCANO Y. & Al. “The feelings of athletes during a recovery massage in terms of muscle pain and fatigue and well-being” Kinesitherapy, the review, 2010; (104-105): 46-50 The effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness and physical performance in female collegiate athletes Corrie A. and Al. Department of Human Performance and Exercise Science, West Virginia University,, USA, 2005. The fight against muscle soreness in young high-level footballer, Jean -Philippe CADU