Why Does Massage Work: The Mitochondria

THE SCIENCE BEHIND MASSAGE: WHY DOES IT WORK?  We know what massage does, but why does massage therapy work? Research by M Tarnopolsky, a neurometabolic scientist, showed that massage helps heal the body on a cellular level after just one session. Post-massage blood and muscle tissue tests have shown a 30% increase in genes required for mitochondria development, which are required for cell growth and energy production. The lifting and kneading of muscle tissue has also been shown to turn off genes associated with inflammation. This means that massage improves recovery time after exercise and injury on a cellular level, and is a valid treatment for pain, inflammation, and soft-tissue recovery.