For years, the massage industry has been claiming that massage will:
Lengthen muscles
Release knots
Fix scar tissue
Breakdown adhesions
But that's simply not true.
Can you imagine if we could actually change the structure of soft tissue with our hands? We would all be a bit of a mess. In fact, to change the length of the plantar fascia on the foot by just 1% would take 852kg of force, and I just don't have that in me!
This is not to say massage is not effective!
Let's be honest, I'd be a bit daft telling you that our appointments are a complete waste of time.
Massage does work...just not in the way that has previously been thought, explained, claimed or advertised.
The truth about Massage Therapy
A better explanation would be one that includes the nervous system.
Touch, massage, pressure, rocking, shaking, stretching and all the other techniques used, create a stimulus for the nervous system which interrupts the chat between the brain and the ‘sore bit’. Couple this with the beliefs & expectations of the client, plus a good wallop of happy hormone release and BINGO…we have an altered state of feeling in the soft tissue.
Massage therapy can help to reduce painful symptoms, give relief, boost mood and help you to relax, but sadly these effects are only temporary. So what do you do? Just come regularly & often?
Regular massage can definitely be part of your longer term plan for wellbeing. If it makes you feel great, it works for you, you enjoy it, you’re happy to pay for it & it provides you with some ‘me time' then go for it, but in isolation it will not resolve or fix injury, pain and tension. The key to the longer term management of these issues is exercise, sleep, nutrition and management of lifestyle stressors (which can no doubt be trickier than getting a massage).
Let’s finish on a positive
You may come to Optimal Performance with no need or expectation for anything other than a massage and that is absolutely fine, but the good news is that...
Soft Tissue Therapy isn’t just about massage.
Should you be looking for a more long term, sustainable approach to your health & wellbeing, you’ve come to the right place.
At your appointment you should feel listened to, safe & relaxed.
You should be provided with treatment that makes you feel good & where appropriate, provided with exercises & advice.
You may also be signposted to other professionals that may be able to help and above all….you should feel better when you leave, than when you arrived.
I look forward to seeing you at our next appointment.
Sources
Credit to www.instagram.com/middlephysio for the inspo for this blog
Adams et al. (2010) Int J Ther
Cavanaugh et al. (2017) Eur J Appl
Chaudhry et al. (2008) J Am Osteo
Martinez-Pozas et al. (2023) Am J Phys