Massage can help after a workout, but not for the reason you think - San Diego Union-Tribune

  • Thread starter Thread starter The New York Times
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 0
  • Views Views 133
T

The New York Times

Guest
SUT-Z-WORKOUTMASSAGE-0429-01.jpg?w=1024&h=682


By Christie Aschwanden

For The New York Times

Massage isn’t just for upscale spas that serve cucumber water. For many amateur and professional athletes, it’s an extension of their training program.

Running races frequently feature massage stations, many high-end gyms offer post-workout rub downs and most elite sports teams have a massage therapist on staff. The massage gun market is estimated at over half a billion dollars, according to several market research firms, led by dozens of companies, like Theragun, Ekrin and Mebak. But most exercisers don’t need much convincing.

“If you talk to athletes, massage is one of their favorite recovery strategies,” said Shona Halson, a professor of exercise science at Australian Catholic University. “And we all know why — because it feels good. It’s obviously doing something that athletes perceive as beneficial.”

There is no question that massage can make you feel better in the short term, and a lot of people find that it and foam rolling can ease muscle knots and even increase flexibility. And as an athlete, I’ve found that massage almost always makes me feel better after a race or hard workout.

But as a science journalist, I’ve long wondered what it’s actually doing to my body. So I dug into the studies and talked to researchers who have investigated it. Here’s what they said.

What massage does for the body​


One of the most common claims about the benefits of massage is that it helps with recovery by improving blood flow and flushing out lactic acid, a chemical once blamed for muscle soreness after hard exercise.

But while this makes for a good story, Halson said, the evidence “just isn’t there.” First off all, studies long ago exonerated lactic acid as a driver of muscle soreness, and there’s no need to speed up its removal, because your body naturally clears it without help, Halson said.

Furthermore, anyone who regularly exercises generally has good blood flow already. Techniques for pushing blood out of the extremities mainly matter for people experiencing circulation problems, she said.

Still, the idea that massage helps flush out waste products from the muscles persists, even though it’s a chemical process — not physical compression — that moves such substances across the cell membrane, said Dr. Martin D. Hoffman, a physician and retired professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation the University of California Davis.

The reality is that most of the purported physiological benefits of massage aren’t backed by strong evidence. A 2020 meta-analysis of massage’s effect on performance and recovery reviewed 29 (mostly small) studies involving 1,012 participants and found that massage produced no measurable improvements in fatigue or performance, and only modest benefits for muscle soreness and flexibility.

“We just didn’t find a lot of evidence that massage is helpful,” said Timothy Chico, the study’s senior author and a professor of cardiovascular medicine at University of Sheffield in Britain.

However, some benefits of massage may not be easy to measure. The muscle feels very different to the touch after it’s been treated, Halson said, suggesting that it might loosen muscle tension.

What massage does for the mind​


Experts said the biggest benefit of massage may be psychological.

Hoffman and his colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the benefits of massage on 72 runners who had just completed the 2015 Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile trail race in the Sierra Nevada. They compared traditional massage from a trained therapist to pneumatic compression boots — which squeeze and knead muscles in the feet and legs. They found that both types of massage eased muscle pain and fatigue right away, but that the effect was temporary.

Similarly, a 2020 review of sports massage research didn’t find any physiological benefits from massage.

There may be something neurological at play, according to a few small studies, at least when it comes to massage guns. Vibration to the skin is known to reduce pain in some contexts. Exactly how this works is still being investigated, but one small study pointed to interactions between two regions of the brain involved in coding pain and touch a possible explanation.

Experts say that one of the biggest benefits of massage may be that it helps reduce stress and tension. Although it hasn’t been the focus of many studies, massage can clearly help people relax and release the mental and life stresses that can cause fatigue and impair physical recovery, Halson said.

“For some athletes, massage is a time to debrief and unload,” she said.

The bottom line​


“Massage is not magic,” said Tim Roberts, vice president of science and innovation at Therabody, which makes massage guns and compression boots. “Massage guns are not some secret way to improve your recovery.” Instead, he said, they work with your body to enhance what it is already doing.

His point resonated with me. While researching a book about exercise recovery, I tried dozens of post-workout tricks and found that most simply helped you relax or feel like you were doing something while your body healed itself. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile.

Even knowing that the physical benefits of massage are highly uncertain, it’s still my favorite way to recover — not because I think it will squeeze out toxins, but because it feels really good and helps me unwind.

That’s probably why many athletes find it worthwhile, Halson said. When it comes to recovery, feeling better can count as a win.

Originally Published: April 29, 2025 at 5:30 AM PDT
 
Shoutbox
  1. wonderspa:
    :wonderspa: ☎️416-5000-800,L6a4H8,open10 to10,Ensuit shower available 🌹🔥beautiful young Jessica sexy body,deep tissue to relax massage back walk,hot stone🍅sexy face sunny is very good looking,slim body ,nice body slide sweet sensual touch 🌹beautiful long hair younge new lily Q,friendly,amazing massage,happy the end,really popular,must try🌹🔥❤️
  2. Sunrise Relaxation(416)916-7276:
    Take a peek on Tomorrow@Sunrise Relaxation Downtown: Jennifer, Tina and Kitty will be there to ignite all your desires. Call (416)500-0921 for detail schedule and insight info
  3. EMSpa_schedule:
    Tomorrow's sneak peek: On Thursday May 29, 2025, our attendants will be Ada 🤗, Cici 🤩, Vicky 😍, Sophie 😍 and Monica 🥰. Call us at ☎️(905) 479-6668☎️ to book!
  4. wilson holistic centre:
    💕💕Beautiful Korean girl working at 382 Wilson Ave 💕💕☎️☎️416-840-0071❤️❤️
  5. Nu spring spa888:
    🌹🌹🌹sexy hot Viennese 💖Filipino 💖 Korean girls 👍working at Nu spring spa💋💋☎️416-669-8508🌹🌹🌹
  6. Spa in Markham:
    GOLDEN FS – 8380 Kennedy Rd 📞 905-258-0777 / 416-688-6886 🇻🇳 CICI, 🇮🇳 SONIA (2PM), 🇲🇾 AMY 🔎 View Schedule: bit.ly/flowers_schedule 🛎️ Booking Now: bit.ly/bookinggoldenlove
  7. FLOWER Spa - BLUEXADO | Thornhill | VAUGHAN:
    BLUEXADO FS – #06-1102 Centre St 📞 416-357-9797 / 416-678-8668 🇨🇴 MEGAN, 🇻🇳 MY LINH, 🇻🇳 JULIE 🔎 View Schedule: bit.ly/flowers_schedule 🛎️ Booking Now: bit.ly/bookingbluexadolove
  8. FLOWER Spa – PINK | Scarborough | TORONTO:
    PINK FS – 3300 McNicoll Ave 📞 416-299-5515 / 416-817-3839 🇮🇷 ELINA, 🇻🇳 KELLY, 🇸🇬 CANDY (12PM) 🔎 View Schedule: bit.ly/flowers_schedule 🛎️ Booking Now: bit.ly/bookingpinklove
  9. Golden Sunshine Spa:
    ✨Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates and special services ! ✅ Click Here Today🌸Akame🌸Christina🌸Xuka🌸Lynda🌸Milly Call us ☎ 905 - 265 - 2158☎️ Your ultimate service awaits! ✨
  10. Soul Relax Spa:
    ✨ Looking for a relaxing escape? ✅ Click Here Meet🌸Tina🌸Isabella🌸MonikaCall us today for the best treatment and service experience. Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates ! Call now ☎ 289 - 298 - 5662☎️ Your ultimate relaxation awaits! ✨
  11. SL East Spa:
    💆‍♀💖WooHoo Wed💖 Ultimate destination for Asian massages🎉 Two fab spots: Richmond Hill & Oakville✨ Your passport to paradise with 10 enchanting girls fr China, HK, Japan & Korea — 🆕Luna, Cindy, Coco,Cici, Jenny, Amber, JPN Yui, Akino, Jasmine & Lucy— ready to pamper you🎁🍁 Ring us 📞647-695-6354 or text us 📱647-578-8169✨ 160 East Beaver Cr., Unit 12, RichmondHill 💰Where Eastern charm meets Western comfort - your bliss awaits🙌
  12. Lulu1980:
    Phoenix Blossom Spa 🌹🌹🌹2 girls 🔥🔥🔥5124 Dundas St W Etobicoke☎️416-817-3366👍 Table Shower Sea Salt Bath Body Scrub😘 Japanese girl Nina ❤️ Natural Big Boobs 38 DD 😘Pink Mini Nipples Hot body slide, super enjoyable😘😘😘😘 very provocative service😘😘😘, professional super Luna deep tissue massage, has therapeutic effect to loosen bones and relieve muscle pressure and will bring you unexpected service effects, she will bring you a little surprise😍😍😍😍❤️You are welcome to make an appoint
  13. SpringGreen.:
    Today we have 5 girls on downtown Toronto 72 gerrard st west:💋💋 New girl gaga Serving The Queen 💋💋Bunny- Tanned Spanish beauty with large melons and a fun booty too Wendy- exotic goddess with a gymnasts body and corresponding flexibility Jennifer- Exotic beauty with... Call and text 647 891 0699 ask questions Thanks 💋💋
  14. Jenny’s Spa:
    🎉🍒JENNY’S SPA🎉🍒 ✅5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST✅ 👌ETOBICOKE ONTARIO M9A 1C4👌 ☎️( 647-893-5196)☎️Call or Text ☎️( 437-888-3759)☎️Call Only (ETOBICOKE) OPEN 10am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅GRAND OPENING💯NEW GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥EXCELLENT MASSAGE + SERVICE QUEENS NOW AVAILABLE AT JENNY’S SPA FOR ALL YOUR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL EXTRA NEEDS🔥💯😘🔥❤️👌 🔥TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥 💯REAL PICTURES OF ATTENDANTS💯 🔥💋Limited Time Special Promotion🔥💋 ✅💦30 Minutes Nude Mass
  15. Red Rose Spa:
    🌸 We have 5 hot brown girls today 🌸 MONICA, PAOLA, MALIYA, MONIKA, AMANDA, ASHA, JAZMINE, PREETI, ANGELINA, KIRAN 🌸 2588 Birchmount 🌸 2 Invergordon 🌸 647-702-8800 🌸 Please visit for a great erotic massage
  16. wilson holistic centre:
    💕💕Beautiful Korean girl working at 382 Wilson Ave 💕💕☎️☎️416-840-0071❤️❤️
  17. wonderspa:
    🌺Wonder spa,(9421Jane st unit127)call416-5000-800☎️best massage in vaughan,Wednesday RMT available,💄sexy face young girl Joey natural c cup,very good looking nice body slide,really popular 🍎long hair Q Lucy good strong to relax oil massage, Relieve pain and remove stress,more experience,🌹very nice new girl CiCi, amazing the end,give you warm time,must try🌹🥤
  18. AliceSpa:
    WEDNESDAY at 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔 416-298-0898, 4915 Steeles Ave. E, Scarborough 3 very nice girls here today. Open 10am to 9pm: CLOUDIA (11am-8pm): is Vietnamese, young, petite 5'2" & 96 Lbs, B Cup, best rim deep bbbj cim. $40 Room Fee + $80 (incl bbbj & fs). +$20 for rim/cim. Excellent open minded services. DORIS (12pm-9pm): from Taiwan, is young & petite with loing thick black hair, 105 Lbs
  19. Annie Spa:
    💋😘Sexy Petite Korean🇰🇷Girl Eva working with Sweet Beautiful Japanese New Cummer to Canada Feifei 🇯🇵 and Sensual Pleasing Busty Coco🇨🇳today💋😘Call or text 📲647-891-9688 or 416-291-8879📲
  20. EMSpa_schedule:
    Hey! Where have you been? Today (Wednesday), our amazing attendants are Carla ‍, Cici 😍, Opal 🤩, Sandy 🤗 and Yoyo 😍. Call us at ☎️ (905) 479-6668 ☎️ to book your favourite and head on over to 7665 Kennedy Road, Unit 4, Markham!
  21. ForeverWarden:
    Wednesday at 🫦❤️🔴🟥♾️𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓔𝓥𝓔𝓡 𝓢𝓟𝓐♾️🟥🔴❤️🫦2190 Warden Ave, Unit 201, Scarborough 𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟴𝟬𝟬-𝟳𝟴𝟴𝟳: Bella, Cindy & Sasa. Bella is around 5’3” with a thin to medium build, C Cups, and a pleasing personality. She can offer dfk, bbbj and cfs as well as a good massage experience. Cindy is a slim beauty, 5’4”, natural C Cups. Her massage is nice, her services will drive you wild & her finish is a dream
  22. HolidaySpa:
    Wednesday at 🌴😎🌅𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓢𝓹𝓪🌅😎🌴3517 Kennedy Rd, Unit 4, Scarborough ☎️𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟮𝟰𝟳-𝟭𝟭𝟵𝟵☎️: FIONA, KIKI & CINDY. FIONA is a slim hottie with long dark hair, great melons and ass, and nice services. Kiki is very attractive, young, about 5’4” and 110 Lbs., slim with a banging body. Kiki is very popular for her great attitude and services. CINDY is slim & incredibly sexy
  23. SugarLoveSpa:
    Wednesday at ❤️💙 💜⎝𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔⎠💖💗💘: SARAH, SUSAN, TIFFANY & VIVI. 1270 Finch Ave W (at Keele St), Unit 18. North York, ON ☎ 𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟯𝟲𝟱-𝟮𝟲𝟴𝟴 ☎ SARA is a beautiful Thai lady with C Cups, 160 Cms and 50 Kgs, with a full set of services to delight you. SUSAN is a small, slim & sexy Latina girl, 5'4" & 116 Lbs, with nice boobs and ass, very versatile services.
  24. すみません:
    Top notch line up with superstars like sunny , gabby , elena , kiki , Ella and cindy. At top notch wellness
  25. bnwellness_wilson:
    We have 4 young girls are working today, young Taiwanese Victoria slime 26’s and young flirty Mia 25’s with curly body , pretty Ella and cute GFE Lina are providing deep tissue massage, pls call 4163985777 book appointment and walk in always welcome,back entrance and parking available, 350 Wilson Ave North York
  26. luckywellness:
    Lucky Wellness Center 4379721888 295 Eglinton Ave E,Unit 7,Mississauga We had two girls today, Niko and Kiki. They were both young, pretty and cute. The massage and back massage were great.
  27. Lulu1980:
    Phoenix Blossom Spa 🌹🌹🌹2 girls 🔥🔥🔥5124 Dundas St W Etobicoke☎️416-817-3366👍 Table Shower Sea Salt Bath Body Scrub😘 Japanese girl Nina ❤️ Natural Big Boobs 38 DD 😘Pink Mini Nipples Hot body slide, super enjoyable😘😘😘😘 very provocative service😘😘😘, professional super Luna deep tissue massage, has therapeutic effect to loosen bones and relieve muscle pressure and will bring you unexpected service effects, she will bring you a little surprise😍😍😍😍❤️You are welcome to make an appoint
  28. DareDevil:
    ARIA WELLNESS ♥️♥️ADDRESS: 360 HWY 7, UNIT #6, RICHMOND HILL,647-222-5683 ♥️♥️(PHONES CALL ONLY, NO TEXT'N AVAILABLE) ♥️TODAY'S Schedule!♥️ Loaded lineup with Beautiful Girls : Young RMT Student Helen, Sexy Busty Apple, Magical Mia and Work out🏋🚴💪 Babe Amy! SPECIAL PROMO 30 MINS 2 GIRLS $70 🌹🌹**TODAY'S PICKS OF THE DAY ARE 🍬🍭 HELEN AND APPLE🍬🍭**
  29. DareDevil:
    Blackpink Wellness ♥️♥️190 Marycroft Ave. Unit #2, Vaughan, 🍭🍬ON L4L 5Y1 (647) 395-3188. BEAUTIFUL AND SEXY GIRLS TODAY: Fun Girl Angela, New Indian Girl Radika and Beautiful Tiffany on duty🌹.
  30. Lulu_Villa_Spa:
    Sami is a gorgeous model type Vietnamese Girl Mia new Vietnamese sweetheart girl with amazing personality Tiffany She is new as MPA From Philippines Slim Body Great Massage Fun personality Bella She is Mexican Gorgeous face Natalie she is CBC/filipina mixed
  31. Sunrise Relaxation(416)916-7276:
    Tomorrow@Sunrise Relaxation Downtown: Tiffany, Vivian and Kitty will be on shift. Call (416)500-0921 for detail schedule and insight info
  32. EMSpa_schedule:
    Tomorrow's sneak peek: On Wednesday May 28, 2025, our attendants will be Carla 💋, Cici 🤩, Opal 🤩, Sandy 😍 and Yoyo 🥰. Call us at ☎️(905) 479-6668☎️ to book!
  33. wilson holistic centre:
    new girl works at 💋535 Evans Ave today 💕💕💕☎️☎️416-531-6969☎️☎️
  34. Lulu1980:
    Phoenix Blossom Spa 🌹🌹🌹 Table shower .body scrub 😘Three girls every day 🔥🔥🔥 5124 Dundas West Street, Etobicoke ☎️ 416-817-3366 👍 New❗️New girl Angela ,so young Petite and pretty😋 open service 😜😜 Sweet girl Luna deep massage 😘😘😘😘 Hot and sexy body very provocative service 😍😍😍😍❤️ You are welcome to make an appointment at any time or walk in directly through the back door. We have ample parking spaces available
  35. Sabrina Fox:
    I'M HOT BUSTY AFRICAN GIRL AVAILABLE AT WESTON & ST. CLAIR. LETS HOOK UP! 📞 647-271-9648
  36. すみません:
    Gabby , sunny , larissa , lora, michelle , christine on duty at top notch.
  37. Nu spring spa888:
    ❤️❤️❤️sexy hot Germany🌸Korean 🌸Viennese girl working at💓💓 Nu spring spa ☎️416-669-8508❤️❤️❤️
  38. Golden Sunshine Spa:
    ✨Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates and special services ! ✅ Click Here Today🌸Susan🌸Luna🌸Xuka🌸Lynda🌸Brandy Call us ☎ 905 - 265 - 2158☎️ Your ultimate service awaits! ✨
  39. SL East Spa:
    💆‍♀💖Tuesday 💜 Ultimate destination for Asian massages🎉 Two fab spots: SL Richmond Hill & SL West Oakville✨ Your passport to paradise with 10 enchanting girls fr China, HK, Japan & Korea — 🆕 Aliyah, Lucy, Cindy, Yui, new Jojo, Coco, Cici, busty Amber, Kelly & Jasmine — ready to pamper you🎁🍁 Ring us 📞647-695-6354 or text us 📱647-578-8169✨ 160 East Beaver Cr., Unit 12, RichmondHill 💰Where Eastern charm meets Western comfort - your bliss awai
  40. SpringGreen.:
    Apple off your weeked with a bang! Judy is at spring green in downtown toronto Tuesday from 9am-9pm with apple and coco. apple is a very beautiful andcaring young lady!kitty is super hot.💋💋647-891-0699 ask and text questions thanks💋💋
  41. wilson holistic centre:
    new girl works at 💋535 Evans Ave today 💕💕💕☎️☎️416-531-6969☎️☎️
  42. Spa in Markham:
    GOLDEN FS – 8380 Kennedy Rd 📞 905-258-0777 / 416-688-6886 🇸🇬 CANDY, 🇭🇺 VANESSA, 🇨🇴 MEGAN (2AM), 🇻🇳 JULIE (8PM) 🔎 View Schedule: bit.ly/flowers_schedule 🛎️ Booking Now: bit.ly/bookinggoldenlove
  43. FLOWER Spa - BLUEXADO | Thornhill | VAUGHAN:
    BLUEXADO FS – #06-1102 Centre St 📞 416-357-9797 / 416-678-8668 🇻🇳 CICI, 🇻🇳 MY LINH, 🇻🇳 AMY, 🇻🇳 SHERRY 🔎 View Schedule: bit.ly/flowers_schedule 🛎️ Booking Now: bit.ly/bookingbluexadolove
  44. Red Rose Spa:
    🌸 We have 13 hot brown girls today 🌸 MONICA, ASHA, MALIYA, MONIKA, ANGEL, MIMI, PREETI, ANGELINA, DIYA, PAYAL PEARL, KIRAN 🌸 2588 Birchmount 🌸 2 Invergordon 🌸 647-702-8800 🌸 Please visit for a great erotic massage
  45. FLOWER Spa – PINK | Scarborough | TORONTO:
    PINK FS – 3300 McNicoll Ave 📞 416-299-5515 / 416-817-3839 🇮🇷 ELINA, 🇻🇳 KELLY, 🇵🇭 MADY (1PM) 🔎 View Schedule: bit.ly/flowers_schedule 🛎️ Booking Now: bit.ly/bookingpinklove
  46. Jenny’s Spa:
    🎉🍒JENNY’S SPA🎉🍒 ✅5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST✅ 👌ETOBICOKE ONTARIO M9A 1C4👌 ☎️( 647-893-5196)☎️Call or Text ☎️( 437-888-3759)☎️Call Only (ETOBICOKE) OPEN 10am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅GRAND OPENING💯NEW GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥EXCELLENT MASSAGE + SERVICE QUEENS NOW AVAILABLE AT JENNY’S SPA FOR ALL YOUR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL EXTRA NEEDS🔥💯😘🔥❤️👌 🔥TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥 💯REAL PICTURES OF ATTENDANTS💯 🔥💋Limited Time Special Promotion🔥💋 ✅💦30 Minutes Nude Mass
  47. DareDevil:
    ARIA WELLNESS 🍬🍭ADDRESS: 360 HWY 7, UNIT #6, ♥️RICHMOND HILL,647-222-5683 (PHONES CALL ONLY, NO TEXT'N AVAILABLE) ♥️TODAY'S Schedule!♥️ Loaded lineup with Beautiful Girls : Yoga Lucy, Killer Kelly, Adorable Eva, Magical Mia and Work out🏋🚴💪 Babe Amy! BUY 10 HOURS (GET 11 HOURS) **TODAY'S PICK OF THE DAY ARE 🍬🍭LUCY AND KELLY🍬🍭**
  48. Soul Relax Spa:
    ✨ Looking for a relaxing escape? ✅ Click Here Meet🌸Nina🌸Anna🌸AmberCall us today for the best treatment and service experience. Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates ! Call now ☎ 289 - 298 - 5662☎️ Your ultimate relaxation awaits! ✨
  49. AliceSpa:
    TUESDAY at 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔, 4915 Steeles Ave. E, Scarborough 𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟮𝟵𝟴-𝟬𝟴𝟵𝟴. 3 Young Beauties Today at Alice Spa. Open 10am to 9pm: CLOUDIA (10am-9pm): is Vietnamese, young, petite 5'2" & 96 Lbs, B Cup, best rim deep bbbj cim. $40 Room Fee + $80 (incl bbbj & fs). +$20 for rim/cim. Excellent open minded services. KITTY (1pm-9pm) is a new Korean girl, super busty, small body, new
  50. wonderspa:
    🌺Wonder spa,(9421Jane st unit127)call416-5000-800☎️best massage in vaughan,Tuesday RMT available,💄sexy very young girl Mimi,long legs ,natural c cup,very good looking amazing massage nice body slide,really popular 🍎long hair Lucy Q smile,very good looking ,strong to relax oil ,back walk,more experience,relief your pain,amazing ending🔥🌹🌹must try
Back
Top