Clinical Study: Does post-exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review.
Research:
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a frequent problem after unaccustomed exercise. No universally accepted treatment exists. Massage therapy is often recommended for this condition but uncertainty exists about its effectiveness. Seven controlled clinical trials were reviewed in order to determine the effectiveness of massage therapy to relieve delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after a bout of strenuous exercise.
Results:
Most of the trials were burdened with serious methodological flaws, and their results are far from uniform. However, most suggest that post-exercise massage may alleviate symptoms of DOMS.