$Unique_ID{BRK00660}
$Pretitle{Special Procedures and Laboratory Tests}
$Title{Does Massage do Anything to Improve Athletic Performance?}
$Subject{massage exercise}
$Volume{P-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Does Massage do Anything to Improve Athletic Performance?


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QUESTION:  One of my tennis partners insists that the reason he regularly
wins, is that he indulges in frequent massages.  This, he claims, gives him
the edge he needs to beat me.  My question to you, does massage do anything to
improve athletic performance?

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ANSWER:  This is a question that's being debated right now by the medical
community.  Some physicians are skeptical that massage has any real benefits
for athletes other than psychological.  Recently, however, more doctors are
becoming proponents of massage, saying it has therapeutic value, but they must
all stop short of saying it enhances athletic performance, since this has not
yet been proven to every ones complete satisfaction.  Therapeutic benefits of
massage include improving movement of blood and nutrients, warming the skin,
more rapidly eliminating metabolic wastes, and stretching tendons, thereby
increasing flexibility.  When circulation is enhanced, it helps to promote
healing of strained muscles.  When done correctly, massage can help relax a
strained muscle, and it can break down adhesions in an old injury.
     Some athletes say a good massage reduces recovery time between
competitions.  Recently more athletes are turning to massage.  Massage
therapists regularly turn out for most major Marathons, and the U.S. Olympic
Committee made massage therapists available to the American athletes in the
Los Angeles Olympic Games.  The important thing to remember though, if you are
injured, is that a massage will not cure your injury, and a visit to a doctor
might be in order.  As to improving your tennis game, well, you will just have
to test that out for yourself.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
