# Toxins released from massage **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582 "2010-03-24T04:16:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/1 "2010-03-24T04:16:05Z")
My wife had her first ever professional massage, and it was absolutely wonderful. I had one a few years ago and completely agree. There is one thing that was told to both of us though that I just can’t believe is actual science. We were both told we needed to drink lots of water to wash out the toxins released in the massage. My wife was less skeptical than I am and seemed to think it was a good idea. I know being well hydrated is good, but is there really anything scientific about the massage releasing “toxins” being rinsed away by the extra water. I don’t really picture muscle tissue releasing “toxins” like a zit releases puss just to be washed away by water that somehow is now rushing thorough your arms and legs to wash out this toxic goo. I’ll be happy to be shown that I’m wrong and will submit to hours of massage to make amends if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/2 "2010-03-24T04:33:22Z")
[Random two-second Google search response about this myth](http://www.trisportsmassage.com/MythConceptionsArticle.html). ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/3 "2010-03-24T04:40:46Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > [Random two-second Google search response about this myth](http://www.trisportsmassage.com/MythConceptionsArticle.html). So how much fun would these boards be if we actually did a google search or looked at Wiki instead of asking the wise souls of this community? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/4 "2010-03-24T04:41:58Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > So how much fun would these boards be if we actually did a google search or looked at Wiki instead of asking the wise souls of this community? 😉 I hope you had fun. I did. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/5 "2010-03-24T04:48:25Z")
I did… because when she teased me about my attitude she said “why don’t you ask those people on the Straight Dope what they think.” I told her I could probably find something on Google faster, but now I’m off the hook by doing what she wanted and still getting the answer I was looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/6 "2010-03-24T04:57:51Z")
Just don’t bring up [the subject of those foot pads](http://www.google.com/products?q=Kinoki+foot+pads&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=1pqpS8_nGov6sgPG3fX5AQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCEQrQQwAg), thinking they work. The Feds have [already nailed them](http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/01/xacta.shtm). ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/7 "2010-03-24T04:57:56Z")
I just realized the best part… I asked a question about possible “quackery” and got an answer from **Duckster** … what better authority could you ask for? ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/8 "2010-03-24T04:59:07Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Just don’t bring up [the subject of those foot pads](http://www.google.com/products?q=Kinoki+foot+pads&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=1pqpS8_nGov6sgPG3fX5AQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCEQrQQwAg), thinking they work. The Feds have [already nailed them](http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/01/xacta.shtm). But look at all the “toxins” they removed from my dirty feet!!! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/9 "2010-03-24T04:59:29Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I just realized the best part… I asked a question about possible “quackery” and got an answer from **Duckster** … what better authority could you ask for? I echo the sentiment. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/10 "2010-03-24T05:04:56Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > I echo the sentiment. 🙂 You don’t fool me… there is no echo. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/11 "2010-03-24T05:14:07Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > You don’t fool me… there is no echo. > [@Spud](#): > > .ohce on si ereht …em loof t’nod uoY Wanna bet? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/12 "2010-03-24T05:17:11Z")
Pretty much any time someone uses the word ‘toxin’ without specifying exactly what compound is under discussion, it’s quackery. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/13 "2010-03-24T05:18:22Z")
Am I the only one who ever asks the “removing toxins” claimants just exactly which toxins, and how much of them are removed, and where they go? Don’t do this unless you are a big fan of the sound of crickets chirping. Tris ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/14 "2010-03-24T05:20:06Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > Am I the only one who ever asks the “removing toxins” claimants just exactly which toxins, and how much of them are removed, and where they go? > > Don’t do this unless you are a big fan of the sound of crickets chirping. > > Tris I’ve done that at health food stores. Great fun. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/15 "2010-03-24T05:25:47Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > Am I the only one who ever asks the “removing toxins” claimants just exactly which toxins, and how much of them are removed, and where they go? > > Don’t do this unless you are a big fan of the sound of crickets chirping. > > Tris Duh… they are washed out… by all that water. Some people just don’t understand science. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/16 "2010-03-24T06:42:18Z")
> [@](#): > > exactly which toxins, and how much of them are removed, and where they go? But what if those toxins are homeopathic and removing 99.999% of one makes you 1000000 times more poisoned? ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/17 "2010-03-24T08:58:38Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > But what if those toxins are homeopathic and removing 99.999% of one makes you 1000000 times more poisoned? That’ll only happen if you jump up and down a lot inbetween drinking gallons of water. ETA: **And** it’ll have a healing effect! ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/18 "2010-03-24T09:34:42Z")
There is a grain of truth, there, if you phrase it right. Normal massage probably doesn’t remove toxins. But lymph massage - done by correctly trained experts - helps move the lmyph fluid along, and the main job of the lymph fluid is to remove toxins (generally waste products, but also leftovers from when white cells attack invaders etc.) from the blood and then dump them at the appropriate points. People can have, due to several illnesses, problems with their lymph system not working correctly, which leads to swelling/ bloating because water is retained in the limbs, and is not healthy, so insurance pays for the special massage to get the lymphe moving again. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/19 "2010-03-24T09:40:58Z")
“Money” is the toxin removed. Remember that. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582/20 "2010-03-24T09:49:34Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > . . . the main job of the lymph fluid is to remove toxins (generally waste products, but also leftovers from when white cells attack invaders etc.) from the blood and then dump them at the appropriate points . . . But, lymph drains back _into_ the bloodstream. As a prototypical example, check out the [thoracic duct](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_duct). ETA: And, if by “appropriate points” you mean the lymph nodes, well, maybe, but then, if anything, massage will squeeze stuff _out_ of the nodes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toxins-released-from-massage/533582.md?page=2)