# Why does it feel so good to have sore muscles massaged? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 5, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-have-sore-muscles-massaged/448207 "2008-05-05T22:50:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-have-sore-muscles-massaged/448207/21 "2008-05-08T03:14:18Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] There are some studies out there. Of course, the situation doesn’t seem to be as simple as saying “Yes, massage is good for you” or “No, massage is a waste of time”. What it looks like is that certain techniques, applied by someone who knows what they’re doing, are helpful. [/QUOTE] :smack: Oh, I forgot that in my post. There have been peer-reviewed scientific studies that have supported some of the therapautic benefits claimed by massage therapists. Most of the stdies have to do with the benefits of improving early mobilization in injuries. _McKinney LA. Early Mobilization and Outcome in Acute Sprains of the Neck. British Medical Journal. 1989 Oct; 299:1006-8._ As well as treating lower back pain. _Michele Preyde. “Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low-back pain.” Canadian Medical Association Journal. June 27, 2000._ But the effectiveness for sore muscles from working out? (A.K.A. delayed onset muscle sorenes). So far, science says “Meh.” Results are too inconsistent. ETA: So I’m sticking with the theory that masssaging sore muscles feels good in the same way that it feels good to scratch an itch. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-have-sore-muscles-massaged/448207/22 "2008-05-08T09:54:37Z")
The theory used to be massage brought oxygen to the sore muscles, the oxygen helped the lactic acid break down quicker, and this allowed the muscles to relax. The lactic acid part of that seems to have been disproved, but I think the oxygen allowing muscles to relax is still at least plausible. At least it’s clear to me that something is making the knots go away. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-have-sore-muscles-massaged/448207/23 "2008-05-08T13:26:07Z")
[QUOTE=tremorviolet] Are there any real studies on what massage does for you? I’ve always been skeptical that it does anything but feel nice (for those that like that sort of thing) and view them as a wasteful luxury,. [/QUOTE] For those that like that sort of thing, “feeling nice” is exactly what a massage does for you. It’s comical to me that some people consider pleasure a wasteful luxury! One doesn’t need peer-reviewed studies to prove that something feels good, you get to determine that all by yourself, incontrovertibly. OK, I’m a massage therapist. Yes, most of the rationale I was taught in massage school a decade ago is either bunk or untestable and hence not science. I guess the persistence of this question of measurable efficacy is important to insurance companies. But it’s so funny that some of my clients who’ve been coming every week for years still can’t get on the table without pointing out some ailment or another to assuage their conscience about being a little bit indulgent. Wasteful luxury! ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-have-sore-muscles-massaged/448207/24 "2008-05-08T18:10:39Z")
I hate to give anecdotal evidence, but: after a workout, if, say, my pecs are sore, I’ve noticed that if I rub one side but not the other, the side that received the rubbing will feel much better the next day. “Looser”, I suppose, not as stiff. The side that did not get rubbed can feel so stiff and sore that movement is uncomfortable. This is most common when I restart lifting weights after taking time off. I don’t know if the benefit comes from increased blood flow caused by rubbing, or breaking down something in the tissue that allows it to “loosen up” or “drain away”, but rubbing definitely produces a noticeable difference. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-have-sore-muscles-massaged/448207/25 "2008-05-08T18:19:06Z")
[QUOTE=Max Torque] I hate to give anecdotal evidence, but: after a workout, if, say, my pecs are sore, I’ve noticed that if I rub one side but not the other, the side that received the rubbing will feel much better the next day. “Looser”, I suppose, not as stiff. The side that did not get rubbed can feel so stiff and sore that movement is uncomfortable. [/QUOTE] That’s interesting. I’m going to try that next time! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-so-good-to-have-sore-muscles-massaged/448207.md?page=1)