deep tissue toxin release

[queenbeeth22]

Hello,

Does anyone know of any studies done on the effects of deep tissue massage on releasing toxins in the body? Especially on people's 1st or 2nd massage of that kind. I have searched Pub Med a bit but didn't find anything.

Thank you,

Danny

 

[gabrielle]

deep tissue toxin release

"Releasing toxins" is an oft-quoted but, so far as I know, entirely unsubstantiated claim. There are reasons to suspect something of that sort may occur, but there are alternative plausible explanations for what clients may experience.

 

[Heaven Cant Wait]

deep tissue toxin release

What Jason said.

I have clients occasionally ask me about the toxins released during massage, and about the large amounts of water they're supposed to drink after massages to flush them away. I'd also like to see some type of scientifically/medically based testing that shows what these toxins are and how they're being "released." I figure, if our bodies are building up and storing so many toxins, then maybe we've got bigger worries than what a massage is going to address - like why isn't the liver or kidneys functioning properly to remove them from our systems?

And just to throw in my pet peeve about having to drink tons of water after a massage... if a person is already well hydrated, why to they have to flood themselves? If they were dehydrated BEFORE the massage then I could see mentioning that they might want to think about their fluid intake, but why the automatic blanket recommendation to increase water? :undecided:

 

[rockerchick82]

deep tissue toxin release

While there is little research on massage (thankfully more is underway!), I have definitely heard about massage "releasing toxins" but without any scientific evidence to prove this, I would not repeat it to clients. If they ask, I tell clients that massage helps muscles by removing cellular wastes, and promoting healthy, proper muscle function. Drinking water helps your system eliminate those wastes faster, and keeps the body hydrated.

Here is a great article about massage and "toxins"
http://www.treatmentmassage.com/understanding-your-body/toxin-release.html

 

[Pompal 09.]

deep tissue toxin release

I am also tired of hearing about these "toxins" that are being released.

Probably an unfortunate choice of words, that for some reason, has stuck.

Your best information, if you are going to share with clients, would probably be best found in MFR and NMT literature...

Both Myofascial release and Neuro-Muscular therapy - freeing up restrictions - seems to me would allow better fluid circulation to tissues.
Which would be supportive of the body's natural function of disposing of various metabolic waste products.

btw - I don't repeat that "drink plenty of water" thing and am also tired of MT's saying it to me. I am an educated adult and I think I can figure out my correct fluid intake.

 

[Bakar]

deep tissue toxin release

Rather than repeating the research citations here, refer to this link:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/602783.html

 

[Eds]

deep tissue toxin release

Great link, Walt - that was a very succinct post with citations of several studies I have read before. Thanks for finding it!