We all know that a massage is a great way to unwind and relieve aches and pains, however, scientists have recently unearthed evidence showing that the act of a massage could actually mimic that of pain killing drugs on a molecular level.
The study in question involved experts carrying out a genetic analysis of muscle tissue both before and after volunteers exhausted themselves on exercise bikes.
The volunteers each received a 10-minute massage on a randomly selected leg, after which a biopsy sample was taken to compare to a biopsy sample taken before the massage.
The results of the study revealed that the massage seemed to reduce the effect of molecules known as ‘cytokines’, which play a role in inflammation.
According to lead researcher on the project Dr Mark Tarnopolsky from the Department of Pediatrics and Medicine at McMaster University in Canada, the benefits of massage could be extremely useful for a broad spectrum of individuals including the elderly, those suffering from chronic inflammatory disease and individuals with musculoskeletal injuries.
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