Our team at Mapleview Chiropractic Centre has extensive experience in massage therapy, and we want to help more people take advantage of its benefits. Much like with chiropractic care, there is a great deal of misinformation about massage therapy. To help set the record straight—and to help you make an informed decision about whether this intervention is right for you—we have put together this article covering some of the most common myths about massage therapy.
Myth: Massage therapy only treats muscles.
Fact: While it’s true that a great deal of massage therapy focuses on manipulating stiff muscles, massage therapists work with other body tissues as well. For example, massage also works with the fascia, or connective tissue holding your muscles in place, to loosen it up and further alleviate stiffness. In addition, many massage therapists can massage your joints to move stagnant synovial fluid, which relieves swelling.
Myth: Massage therapy cleanses your body of toxins.
Fact: Cleansing toxins is the job of your liver and kidneys—as long as these organs are healthy, you don’t need to worry about toxins in your body. Massage therapy can do many things, but it doesn’t remove harmful substances from your blood. However, it can increase circulation to various parts of your body, which promotes healing to injured areas.
Myth: Effective massage therapy leaves you sore.
Fact: Although certain kinds of massage therapy, such as deep-tissue manipulation, can leave you feeling sore afterwards, not all massages will. If you get a massage and feel completely fine the next day, that’s not a sign the massage didn’t work.