ast week I wrote a post on Facebook about some of the myths of massage. My statement on this issue was and continues to be that I am not accusing anyone of telling a deliberate lie, nor am I attacking the character of any teacher who has helped to perpetuate these myths. I choose to believe that everyone has good intentions.
Before I became interested in the evidence-based practice of massage, I’ve been just as guilty as sharing some of them myself. There seem to be so many of them, and in my opinion people tend to blindly accept what they learn in massage school. We view teachers as authority figures, but the fact is, teachers have a tendency to repeat what they were taught in massage school…so they pass that on to their students, who in turn share that false information with their clients, with the best of intentions. Some of those same students go on to become the next generation of teachers, and those same myths just keep being perpetuated.
Yesterday I heard from Lee Kalpin of Ontario, who shared a few more of these massage myths with me. I am presenting them here, and if anyone has any valid research references that will back these up as fact, please feel free to post it for our enlightenment.
- Massage removes toxins from the muscles.
- Lactic acid is responsible for DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).
- Massage can get rid of cellulite.
- It is contraindicated to massage a person who has cancer (or had cancer).
- If you massage a person who has consumed alcohol, it will increase the effects and make them more intoxicated.
- You can strengthen muscles by performing tapotement.
- You can straighten a scoliosis by doing tapotement on the weak side and stretching on the tight side.
- Manual Lymph Drainage causes the lymphatic channels to collapse for 20 minutes so you cannot do any other manipulations after MLD. READ MORE…
April 12th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
One article I linked to in my blog recently had to do with the role of lactic acid in the body and how it wasn’t the primary reason for muscle soreness. This might count as a valid research reference for you.
Here’s my blog post. You can click through to the link to get to the original post in the Massage & Bodywork Magazine:
http://blog.massagebyheather.com/lactic-acid-and-massage/
Hope this is useful to you. . . — heatherw
April 24th, 2011 at 10:42 am
I didn’t see this listed in any of your reseach lists,unless I overlooked it. thought it might be helpful.
it is actual research they do in miami at jackson memorial hospital I believe on the effects of touch therapy i.e massage. maybe there are some answers in here.
I haven’t looked over it in quite a while,but there are some very interesting trail datas.
I have enjoyed reading your blog.thanks so much for the service you do.
Tanya
April 24th, 2011 at 10:43 am
http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/ and this would be the website
)
May 6th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
great myths…very true!
May 9th, 2011 at 4:41 am
In today’s world, everybody wants to take good care of their health and body by natural methods like massage as it gives relaxation to the body and helps in removing all stress that have developed in mind and soul. The person will find a new and refreshing feel within himself.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Good post exploring some of the potential myths surrounding massage therapy. I wonder how commonplace some of these beliefs are?
May 23rd, 2011 at 12:19 pm
As I often tell my clients. “If I could get rid of cellulite with massage, I would be a very rich woman!”
Thanks for your post,
Denise W
Much Kneaded Massage of NYC
May 26th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Or how about, if a person has cardiac insufficiency, then manual lymphatic drainage is contraindicated as it will cause such a huge increase in blood and lymphatic circulation that it is dangerous to the client.
August 1st, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Many myths are perpetuated by self-proclaimed “experts” who want to make up a system of rules that make the followers feel like they “know it all, too.” (It’s all ego-driven.) I noticed the MYTH: Manual Lymph Drainage causes the lymphatic channels to collapse for 20 minutes so you cannot do any other manipulations after MLD. It would be great to have actual evidence regarding MLD to rid it of myths.
August 11th, 2011 at 10:24 am
Advertising hype in general has taught me to be skeptical in a good way. I wisely apply the same mindset to the field of massage too!
Thanks for the post.
Denise
Much Kneaded Massage Therapy NYC
September 5th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
So much of what I learned as “fact” has been shown to be false. The intent on the part my teachers was not to deceive – it’s merely what they learned as “fact”.
We humans are funny creatures, we cling to our beliefs even in the face of truth or other “facts”!
“If there is one thing that never changes it’s that everything is always changing.” — me