How does massaging a sore body part help the body part to feel better?
In: Biology
2 reasons. First is a tight muscle is, well, tight. The muscle is contracted and by massaging it you take tension off the fibers and allow the tissue to relax. Blood flow improves yada yada. The relaxing of the fibers reduces the ache of constant tension which is perceived as that gooood feein.
Second reason is oxytocin. Human contact produces a hormone called oxytocin which promotes a sense of relaxation, bonding and well being. So even if the massage is not super strong the touch alone can cause a hormonally induced relaxation which is of course pleasant.
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