Massage Therapy Validated by Canadian Study
Today in the LA Time (2/3/2012), a Canadian Study identified the mechanism behind the benefits of massage therapy comparing biopsies to show that the interaction with muscle proteins reduces inflammation and helps cells recover. It goes on to say how they have identified how massage switches genes on and off, thus reducing inflammation and coaxing muscle adaptation to exercise.
The good news as stated in the article, is that researchers are looking at how massage might be used to compliment or replace anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen in treating an injury or to counteract the generalized inflammatory responses associated with normal aging.
Maybe now insurance will pay for massage therapy as part of prevention and medical care for pain and inflammation.
Read the full article: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-massage-20120202,0,343517.story
When I was in the U.S.S.R in 1989, I saw the Russian sports massage therapists were revered in all aspects of care in sports, in the hospitals, and were part of the established team of healing. They are famous for their research and showing how massage increased circulation, lymphatic flow, increased healing response and recovery was more complete. In all my travels, in all the countries, massage therapy is used to heal and is recognized as part of the medical community for stress relief, pain reduction, and overall benefit to ones well being.
I am glad to see that now genes have been identified in this new study that shows why it all works.
I have been a sports massage therapist since 1984 and it is about time!