Original version

BBC World Service South Asia

CrowdScience

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe

We take your questions about life, Earth and the universe to researchers hunting for answers at the frontiers of knowledge.

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service East Asia

CrowdScience: Does massage work?

Discussion & Talk

GettyImages-1212987635_smaller.jpg

12/03/2022 GMT

Does massage work?

BBC World Service - CrowdScience, Does massage work?

There are many claims about the benefits of massage. But which – if any – are true?

People have believed in healing effects of massage for thousands of years, but only relatively recently have scientists started to study it. What are the real benefits of massage?

Massage has been used for thousands of years to soothe our aches and pains and help us relax. Today there are a wide array of styles to choose from – Swedish massage, deep tissue, hot stone, sport, Thai, the list goes on. But which techniques are backed up by evidence?

CrowdScience listeners Catherine and Stacy are keen for us to untangle this knotty issue, so presenter Caroline Steel selflessly ventures from her desk to the massage table all in the name of science.

Is there such thing as a muscle 'knot' and can massage help to get rid of them? Does lactate build up in our muscles and need to be released? And why does rubbing sore muscles feel so good? We dig into the physiological and psychological aspects of what's happening in our bodies when we get a massage.

With scientists only beginning to study massage in recent decades, we put the research to the test with our many questions and even a bit of myth-busting. Can massage help us avoid injury or recover faster when we exercise? Does drinking water after a massage flush out toxins? Is self-massage or massage from a friend or family member just as good as that from a professional massage therapist? Can children benefit from massage?

Caroline talks to medical professionals and experts to find out what works when it comes to treating a stiff neck and tight muscles and unpacks the importance of touch in relieving the tensions of modern life.

Presented by Caroline Steel and produced by Sam Baker for BBC World Service. 

Featuring:
●	Cecillia Ljunggren, London School of Massage
●	Mark Tarnopolsky, McMaster University
●	Tiffany Field, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami Health System
●	Wichai Eungpinichpong, Department of Physical Therapy, Khon Kaen University


[Image credit: Getty Images]

Accessibility links

Programme Index

CrowdScience

Does massage work?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service South Asia

About BBC World Service