Inflammatory Conditions

For centuries, massage therapy has been used to reduce pain and restore function in injured muscle tissue. It was believed that both in-facility and mobile therapy services could enhance blood flow, decrease stiffness, and ultimately alleviate pain.

Although patients reported significant relief from chronic pain and improved range of motion through massage, the scientific explanation remained unclear. Despite this, alternative medicine, including massage therapy, has become widely accepted.

A study led by Dr. Mark A. Tarnopolsky of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and his colleagues found that heavily stressed muscles treated with massage therapy exhibited biological changes indicating reduced inflammation. The study also suggested that massage activated certain signaling pathways associated with healing.

Dr. Tarnopolsky and his team studied 11 healthy male volunteers. Each participant completed 15 minutes of intense exercise, followed by a 10-minute massage on one leg, while the other leg remained untreated. Muscle samples from both legs were collected two and a half hours after the massage.

Using advanced technology, the tissue samples were analyzed and compared to baseline studies conducted at the beginning of the research. The findings revealed that certain genes responsible for reducing inflammation were activated.

All of this was reported in 2012 in MedPage and you can read more here.

In 2014, Dr. Nina Franklin and her team at the University of Illinois at Chicago published a similar research study. They examined three groups of participants, totalling 36 individuals. The results showed increased brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) as measured by ultrasound tests conducted 90 minutes, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the massage.

Given the limited number of studies, the role of massage therapy in reducing inflammation remains a topic of debate. Although there are no conclusive findings yet, existing research suggests potential benefits and more studies are likely to be conducted in the future. As technology continues to advance, more definitive research will likely emerge, possibly validating massage therapy as a viable treatment option for inflammation.

However, if you feel you would benefit from massage therapy, contact us at Calgary RMT.

We’re glad to walk you through our process and help you schedule an appointment. With our mobile, in-home services, you can experience the benefits of massage therapy in the comfort of your own home. One of our representatives can discuss your specific needs and how we might assist you. Inflammation can arise from various causes, such as overexertion, injury, or chronic conditions, and therapeutic massage may offer relief.