Massage has been a longstanding practice in many areas of the world, dating back to at least 3000 BCE or earlier in Asia. Today, it is still one of the prevalent forms of treatment and self-care. Unfortunately, with its rich history and the mesh of old and new practices, as well as new research findings, massage therapy is bound to have many myths and misconceptions surrounding it.
In this blog, such myths and misconceptions are discussed and debunked.
Massage is pseudoscience and is therefore ineffective.
Massage is a well-researched field and is used in many fields of medical science, including orthopedics, dermatology, and gynecology.
In orthopedics, massage is typically used as physiotherapy for people seeking to prevent, rehabilitate, and relieve musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. A study from the Faculty of Science at a university in Indonesia found that it is effective in reducing pain, improving range of motion, and enhancing shoulder function. However, it is important to note that physiotherapy uses massage with exercise to continuously improve the related musculoskeletal functions.
In an objective analysis study using computed tomography (CT) technology, facial massage is proven to have lifting and tightening effects on the skin. Similarly, using a face roller to apply mechanical stimulation in the face not only improves blood circulation and reduces puffiness, but also helps boost the effectiveness of facial creams when used with it.
In gynecology, massage relieves pain in pregnancy and menstruation/dysmenorrhea.
It should hurt to be effective
Depending on the state of a person’s muscular system at the time of a session, massage may cause discomfort at the start since it targets specific pressure points to ease the knotted areas but it is not the measure of effectiveness. A good masseuse/therapist knows not to ‘overwork’ the body and adjust to the needs and tolerance of the client, otherwise, careless kneading of the body’s muscles may only lead to further strain and injury.
Soreness after a session is a good sign.
Connected to the previous statement, pain and soreness are not measures of effectiveness and it all depends on the body’s condition and the technique used to relieve it.
All massage techniques are practically the same.
Different massage techniques are designed to target and address different muscular conditions. In MassageDaily.PH (MDPH) the following offered classic and premium massages differ:
- Swedish Massage – Uses long gliding strokes on the muscles of your body using soft to moderate pressure. It uses circular pressure applied through the hands and palms. This helps your body flush out toxins and improves blood circulation. Swedish massage is for relaxation.
- Shiatsu – Uses kneading, pressing, soothing, tapping, and stretching techniques. It is a pressure points-focused massage through thumb, fingers, and hands pressure on your body. This is especially helpful in addressing headaches and fatigue.
- Deep Tissue Massage – Used to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains. It involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues to relieve muscle tension.
- Lymphatic Drainage – Relieves swelling and involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to help lymph move to an area with working lymph vessels.
- Sports Massage – Caters to athletic patients of all types, professional, collegiate, and high-school level players – even people who exercise regularly and have an active lifestyle. The sports massage technique mainly focuses on the areas most vulnerable to injury or stress as well as older and larger areas of built-up tension.
- Hot Stone – designed to promote relaxation and alleviate tension in muscles and injured soft tissues across your body. It offers deep muscle relaxation as the heat from the stones penetrates deeply, allowing for effective massage with less pressure compared to deep tissue massage.
- Thai – Works the entire body using a sequence of movements that are similar to yogic stretching. It uses gentle pressure and stretching techniques to relax the whole body.
Massage helps burn fat.
There are no studies that support the claim that massage directly burns fat. Massage works with muscle fibers, not fatty tissues. That area of health involves genetics and lifestyle; massage may help with weight loss in a roundabout manner by improving one’s life qualities including increased relaxation, reduced stress, and workout recovery.
It also helps release bad toxins.
Massage may help with circulation and lymphatic drainage but there is no scientific evidence to support that massage helps release ‘toxins’ or ‘waste’ out of the body.
Once you start doing massage, your body will need it every time.
What this statement refers to is the belief that once a person’s body tries massage, it will need and crave it thereafter.A person’s body needs relaxation and de-stressing one way or another, regardless if it is by massage or not.
The statement is misleading and is purely ‘psychological’ by directly attributing the need of the body to relax and unstrain to the ‘luxury’ of having a massage to do it.
Massage is expensive and is a luxury.
While some services and places are expensive, there are many affordable options in the country. Such services are available in accessible stores and clinics and are even available online for in-house and home service.
In MDPH, you can book a massage for as low as ₱200, depending on the technique you want. MDPH also offers promos and discounts you can avail for your booking, as well as check out their products for your body’s needs.