{"id":75790,"date":"2021-09-12T03:24:07","date_gmt":"2021-09-12T03:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/?page_id=75790"},"modified":"2024-08-13T15:27:37","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T15:27:37","slug":"does-massage-release-toxins-or-is-this-pseudoscience","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/q-and-a\/does-massage-release-toxins-or-is-this-pseudoscience\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Massage Release Toxins or Is This Pseudoscience?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Does Massage Release Toxins or Is This Pseudoscience?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Question: <\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019ve been feeling a bit run-down lately, and I\u2019ve been reading a lot about detoxification. From what I\u2019ve read, we absorb toxins from the things we eat as well as just being out in public space. Over time, we build up these toxins in our bodies and they wreak havoc on our well-being. Out of all the methods of detoxification I\u2019ve read, massage certainly has the most appeal. After all, who wouldn\u2019t enjoy a relaxing massage? But does massage really release toxins?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

Answer:<\/strong><\/p>

There are many benefits to massage therapy<\/a> \u2013 benefits that may help improve your mood and energy levels, as well as your overall quality of life. Massage promotes relaxation and is clinically proven to decrease anxiety levels.[1]<\/sup> Evidence also supports the use of massage therapy to improve circulation and ease muscle tension, helping alleviate muscular pain and soreness.[2]<\/sup><\/p>

Massage Releasing Toxins Is A Myth?<\/h2>

However, the idea that massage releases toxins is a myth.[3]<\/sup> In the first place, it\u2019s difficult to define exactly what proponents are talking about when they refer to \u201ctoxins.\u201d This vague word is used for any substance that has a negative impact on your health or well-being. It could refer to metabolic waste, or it could refer to environmental poisons absorbed by your body. Proponents of the detoxification theory would have you believe that merely through the gentle pressure of massage, these toxins are squeezed from your body and released into your blood stream. There simply is no scientific evidence that this theory is true.[4]<\/sup><\/p>

Some claim that this detoxification process refers to lactic acid, which can build up in your muscles after exercise, causing pain and cramping. There is no evidence to suggest that massage assists with the release of lactic acid, and in fact one study actually demonstrated that massage slowed that release.[5]<\/sup><\/p>

In reality, neither metabolic waste nor lactic acid are really toxins.[6]<\/sup> These substances are continually recycled and reused, and serve important purposes for your body\u2019s health. They are never \u201creleased\u201d or \u201cflushed\u201d from your body, nor should they be. They may cause pain and soreness when congested or clustered in one location, but once the congestion is cleared they continue to cycle as normal.[7]<\/sup><\/p>

Detoxifying Massage<\/h2>

When people talk about the detoxifying effect of massage, they are more likely referring to the fresh, relaxed, and upbeat way they feel after a massage. A meta-analysis of massage therapy research concluded that massage therapy\u2019s most significant effects were in reductions of anxiety and depression.[8]<\/sup> That may make you feel detoxified, but it doesn\u2019t mean that any toxins were actually released from your body at all.<\/p>

References:<\/strong><\/p>

[1]<\/sup> Western Journal of Medicine: \u201cMassage therapies<\/em>\u201d https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1071543\/<\/p>

[2]<\/sup> Id.<\/em><\/p>

[3]<\/sup> Massage Therapy Foundation: \u201c5 Myths and Truths About Massage Therapy<\/em>\u201d http:\/\/www.tracywalton.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/5-Myths-and-Truths-about-Massage-Therapy_final-with-Page-Numers.pdf<\/p>

[4]<\/sup> Id.<\/em><\/p>

[5]<\/sup> Id.<\/em><\/p>

[6]<\/sup> Pain Science: \u201cWhy Drink Water After Massage?<\/em>\u201d https:\/\/www.painscience.com\/articles\/drinking-water-after-massage.php<\/p>

[7]<\/sup> Id.<\/em><\/p>

[8]<\/sup> Psychological Bulletin: \u201cA meta-analysis of massage therapy research<\/em>\u201d https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/14717648<\/p>

You Might Be Interested In These, As Well:
<\/strong>
There\u2019s nothing pseudoscientific about it: massage can help with anxiety<\/a>.<\/p>

Seasonal allergies afflict countless people around the world. Not many are aware that a certain type of massage for allergies<\/a> might provide relief.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ready to book your massage?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBook A Massage<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Does Massage Release Toxins or Is This Pseudoscience? Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Question: I\u2019ve been feeling a bit run-down lately, and I\u2019ve been reading a lot about detoxification. From what I\u2019ve read, we absorb toxins from the things we eat as well as just being out in public space. Over time, we build up these […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":75683,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_elementor_edit_mode":"builder","_elementor_template_type":"wp-page","_elementor_data":"[{\"id\":\"dbeb3ec\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"63e13de9\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"59b071b3\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7a3fc86c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"618278bd\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"Does Massage Release Toxins or Is This Pseudoscience?\",\"header_size\":\"h1\",\"align\":\"center\",\"title_color\":\"#14316C\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":30,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_weight\":\"600\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"79267851\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"spacer\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"11310238\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"69f6c360\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"33491e49\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"text\":\"Divider\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"divider\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"4eca67bb\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"26c8a7f1\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4f4b94ac\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"share_buttons\":[{\"_id\":\"177a087\"},{\"button\":\"twitter\",\"_id\":\"821e691\"},{\"button\":\"linkedin\",\"_id\":\"280d314\"},{\"_id\":\"8f9e41a\",\"button\":\"reddit\"}],\"alignment\":\"left\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"share-buttons\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"2a7fe4bf\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[],\"structure\":\"22\"},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"78a0\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":66,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"4b05fb8c\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

Question: <\\\/strong><\\\/p>

I\\u2019ve been feeling a bit run-down lately, and I\\u2019ve been reading a lot about detoxification. From what I\\u2019ve read, we absorb toxins from the things we eat as well as just being out in public space. Over time, we build up these toxins in our bodies and they wreak havoc on our well-being. Out of all the methods of detoxification I\\u2019ve read, massage certainly has the most appeal. After all, who wouldn\\u2019t enjoy a relaxing massage? But does massage really release toxins?<\\\/strong><\\\/em><\\\/p>

Answer:<\\\/strong><\\\/p>

There are many benefits to massage therapy<\\\/a> \\u2013 benefits that may help improve your mood and energy levels, as well as your overall quality of life. Massage promotes relaxation and is clinically proven to decrease anxiety levels.[1]<\\\/sup> Evidence also supports the use of massage therapy to improve circulation and ease muscle tension, helping alleviate muscular pain and soreness.[2]<\\\/sup><\\\/p>

Massage Releasing Toxins Is A Myth?<\\\/h2>

However, the idea that massage releases toxins is a myth.[3]<\\\/sup> In the first place, it\\u2019s difficult to define exactly what proponents are talking about when they refer to \\u201ctoxins.\\u201d This vague word is used for any substance that has a negative impact on your health or well-being. It could refer to metabolic waste, or it could refer to environmental poisons absorbed by your body. Proponents of the detoxification theory would have you believe that merely through the gentle pressure of massage, these toxins are squeezed from your body and released into your blood stream. There simply is no scientific evidence that this theory is true.[4]<\\\/sup><\\\/p>

Some claim that this detoxification process refers to lactic acid, which can build up in your muscles after exercise, causing pain and cramping. There is no evidence to suggest that massage assists with the release of lactic acid, and in fact one study actually demonstrated that massage slowed that release.[5]<\\\/sup><\\\/p>

In reality, neither metabolic waste nor lactic acid are really toxins.[6]<\\\/sup> These substances are continually recycled and reused, and serve important purposes for your body\\u2019s health. They are never \\u201creleased\\u201d or \\u201cflushed\\u201d from your body, nor should they be. They may cause pain and soreness when congested or clustered in one location, but once the congestion is cleared they continue to cycle as normal.[7]<\\\/sup><\\\/p>

Detoxifying Massage<\\\/h2>

When people talk about the detoxifying effect of massage, they are more likely referring to the fresh, relaxed, and upbeat way they feel after a massage. A meta-analysis of massage therapy research concluded that massage therapy\\u2019s most significant effects were in reductions of anxiety and depression.[8]<\\\/sup> That may make you feel detoxified, but it doesn\\u2019t mean that any toxins were actually released from your body at all.<\\\/p>

References:<\\\/strong><\\\/p>

[1]<\\\/sup> Western Journal of Medicine: \\u201cMassage therapies<\\\/em>\\u201d https:\\\/\\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/pmc\\\/articles\\\/PMC1071543\\\/<\\\/p>

[2]<\\\/sup> Id.<\\\/em><\\\/p>

[3]<\\\/sup> Massage Therapy Foundation: \\u201c5 Myths and Truths About Massage Therapy<\\\/em>\\u201d http:\\\/\\\/www.tracywalton.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2016\\\/09\\\/5-Myths-and-Truths-about-Massage-Therapy_final-with-Page-Numers.pdf<\\\/p>

[4]<\\\/sup> Id.<\\\/em><\\\/p>

[5]<\\\/sup> Id.<\\\/em><\\\/p>

[6]<\\\/sup> Pain Science: \\u201cWhy Drink Water After Massage?<\\\/em>\\u201d https:\\\/\\\/www.painscience.com\\\/articles\\\/drinking-water-after-massage.php<\\\/p>

[7]<\\\/sup> Id.<\\\/em><\\\/p>

[8]<\\\/sup> Psychological Bulletin: \\u201cA meta-analysis of massage therapy research<\\\/em>\\u201d https:\\\/\\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/pubmed\\\/14717648<\\\/p>

You Might Be Interested In These, As Well:
<\\\/strong>
There\\u2019s nothing pseudoscientific about it: massage can help with anxiety<\\\/a>.<\\\/p>

Seasonal allergies afflict countless people around the world. Not many are aware that a certain type of massage for allergies<\\\/a> might provide relief.<\\\/p>\",\"text_color\":\"#020202\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_weight\":\"400\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"20b8ce5e\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":33,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"2adc2bde\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

Ready to book your massage?<\\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":17,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_weight\":\"400\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"345af298\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"text\":\"Book A Massage\",\"align\":\"center\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_weight\":\"600\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":22,\"sizes\":[]},\"background_color\":\"#F58266\",\"border_radius\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"50\",\"right\":\"50\",\"bottom\":\"50\",\"left\":\"50\",\"isLinked\":true},\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\",\"link\":{\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.soothe.com\\\/booking\",\"is_external\":\"\",\"nofollow\":\"\",\"custom_attributes\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"button\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]","_elementor_page_settings":{"eael_ext_toc_title":"Table of Contents"},"_elementor_conditions":[]},"class_list":["post-75790","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75790\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}