An article from Cornell shows that a massage after vigorous exercise can help reduce muscle soreness. Several other studies show that deep massage helps to make muscle injuries heal faster, improves training in athletes and relieves painful pressure points in muscles and tendons.

Athletes use muscle soreness to guide them in their training programs. Most athletes train by taking a hard workout that damages muscles enough to make them feel sore on the next day. Then the athlete takes easier workouts until the soreness goes away. When the soreness is gone, the athlete takes a harder workout again. A 30-minute massage after a hard workout lessens next-day muscle soreness and allows athletes to recover faster so they can perform more work and compete at a higher level.

Most coaches and trainers recommend massage therapy to their athletes, but many physicians are still skeptical about its health benefits. Researchers at Ball State University showed that vigorous deep massage done 21 to 29 days after severe tendon injury hastened healing. Many people suffer from pain in their muscles and tendons, and a study from Denmark showed that deep massage therapy and regular exercise help to relieve these trigger point pains, while ultrasound does not.

Nobody knows how a massage helps muscles recover faster. The massage does not make muscles stronger, but the athlete who can take more frequent workouts can build stronger muscles.

Why then do some physicians still not recommend massage therapy for their patients? One study from the University of Calgary shows that physicians, who may speak against massage, know least about how it is done and when to recommend it.

For journal references on the studies mentioned in this article see http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/1825.html

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health and nutrition