Massaging: Does it release toxins?

[Graham2001]

Every massage therapist I worked with believed some version of this, most commonly that running water (salt optional) would rinse away negative energies.

From memory she was quite specific about having to wash her hands in the ocean to get rid of the 'negative energies'. I wish I'd asked her what happens to the fish!

It's easy to see how this gets started. Massage is really hard on the hands if you're not doing it right. Thumbs, fingers, and especially wrists are bent back while you're applying pressure. Even though the instructor will tell you to keep your wrist straight, it's not easy if you haven't practiced. It's worse when you're new because there's still that idea that massage equals hands.

<snip>

Confirmation bias and a generally woo environment combined with an effective treatment = Bad vibes are washed away with water.

Thanks, that explanation makes sense and it nicely covers the spectrum of Massage removes 'toxins'/'negative energy' (Contact) to Reiki (Massage without contact).

 

[Tricky]

From memory she was quite specific about having to wash her hands in the ocean to get rid of the 'negative energies'. I wish I'd asked her what happens to the fish!

I dunno, but "massaging the fish" sounds kinda kinky.

 

[RhodyDave]

All this massage stuff sounds like total BS. I have a sister-in-law who's into all this "detoxifying" BS. I ask her if she's been consuming nuclear waste when she's into one of her treatment courses, but all I get from her is a withering stare.

 

[Maia]

Ack! The "toxin" thing is always painful to hear about... Okay, y'all, here's the real deal.

I am a licensed LMT. There is no such thing as the phenomenon of "toxins being released." You will not "flush them out of your system" by drinking more water. (Actually, there's no particular need to drink more water after a massage, either.) That website's explanation of trigger points was particularly cringe-inducing, because they are real but have nothing to do with the bizarre way in which they were explained. Trigger point theory is based on the work of Travell and Simmons, and it is supported by research. Basically, muscle tension tends to be concentrated in certain areas, which are the same locations in everyone. They refer pain to other areas, which makes it very difficult to track down what's causing the problem. That's why a back massage can feel great and yet do absolutely nothing to address the true cause of the back pain, and the next day, you're right back to where you were before. NOTHING to do with toxins. (Gets off soapbox.)