Massage Information  by Danielle Thomas
304-748-7134 or 412-519-4566

Lactic Acid and Massage: Myth and Reality

    While many people still believe that you rid your body of lactic acid during a massage or
those knots you have are filled with lactic acid are untrue.

    The truth of it is, that knot or Trigger Points may be that you feel are filled with ionized
calcium that can be caused by trauma, stress or muscle damage.  A trigger point is caused by a
chemical reaction from the constant contraction of a muscle that releases excessive calcium in
the muscle. When the trigger point is released the calcium is absorbed throughout the muscle,
then you can regain more usage of that muscle.

     I agree with the fact that you rid your body of metabolic waste through the aid of massage.  
By moving the tissues you can help get the lymph system to work more efficiently, which in
turns helps to eliminate more waste out of the interstitial tissues.  The waste is either
reabsorbed by the body or eliminated through urine output, the waste product in urine usually
consist of potassium ions, carbon dioxide, ammonia, heat, and urea.

     Here are some links that will help you to better understand the myth, they where published
in Massage Today, I highly recommend them:

     Flushing Out Myths By Keith Eric Grant
     <http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=10608>

      Contemplating Cytokines By Keith Eric Grant
     <http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=10939>

      You can also read more in depth  by going to Keith Eric Grant web site:
            ramblemuse.com/articles/lacting_mythers.shtml
      
     All information was taken from Dr. Travell and Dr. Simon Myofascial Pain and
Dysfunction;  Foundation of Manual Lymph by Elsevier/Mosby; Massage Therapy by Susan
Salvo.
      If you have any question or comments go to my contact page.

      All information provided is my based opinion and interpretation is not to be taken out of
context or misconstrued.