Muscle Massage May Speed Healing
Summary: You know that feeling of pain in muscle cramps and soreness, scientists say that the satisfaction from rubbing your sore muscles can reduce the amount of pain you feel. This can also speed the healing process by lessening pain-inducing inflammation. 11 men were asked to participate in an exhausting workout for their quadriceps. Shortly after the workout, one of the thighs on each participant received a 10 minute massage while the other leg did not. After the massage they all took a muscle biopsy from both legs and again 2.5 hours later. The biopsies taken right after showed that the muscles on the massaged legs had low levels of inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor-alpha, they also showed activation of two kinds of enzymes which showed that they were responding to being “manually manipulated.” Scientists are saying that massage is effective and that they see inflammation going down and cell signaling going up, these are both good.
Critique: Who doesn't like a massage, especially on aching muscles. This just goes to prove that massages really can help.
Impact: What people do need to know is that the pain relief of massage’s are unclear. What the researchers do know is that the massage lowers inflammation which can reduce pain.
Reference: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/338108/title/Muscle_massage_may_speed_healing
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This article is one of those articles that are eye opening and make a lot of sense. I can think of a lot of people who complain about hoe sore they are after a great work out, a run, or a sports practice. From an athlete’s perspective, I find this article extremely helpful! There were many nights I would get home from cheer practice and not want to do anything but lay in bed because I was so sore from a long and painful practice (and I know you have too from dance). This is a huge distraction, especially as a student, because one normally has about 2 hours of homework to do every night. It is already hard enough to juggle school, church activities, extracurricular activities, your sport, and homework! When I come home, I have to go straight to my homework or else I would not go to bed that night. I have no room for laziness. If people know that a massage lowers inflammation and relieves pain, it would convince them to go get a massage or make one of their siblings give them one. If they put this into action, it would improve their health and also help them focus on what is important rather than being lazy!
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