A study published in Science Translational Medicine, a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of people, has good news about massage benefits. They report that massage therapy during the physical rehabilitation of skeletal muscle “appears to be clinically beneficial by reducing inflammation and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.”
In layman’s terms, that means it reduces or relieves pain in injured muscles and helps you heal.
Most people intuitively know that a massage helps them recover from stress and can benefit some injuries, which is why you see so many professional athletes mending the wear and tear of their demanding jobs by getting a brisk rubdown. Not only does it release positive endorphin chemicals and relieve stress, but also sore muscles can break down lactic acid and release it to be excreted as waste.
Humans are creatures that respond to stimulus, so anything that calms the body will generally create a feel-good effect in the regions of the brain that are designed to promote relaxation and sleepiness. The oil and music are bonuses to the human touch, helping to bring you back to the womb in a figurative way. Think of it as a form of meditation, which many researchers believe helps sharpen the brain and brings focus.