Does post-exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review

Abstract

Background - 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. Aim - To determine whether post-exercise massage alleviates the symptoms of DOMS after a bout of strenuous exercise. Method - Various computerised literature searches were carried out and located seven controlled trials. 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. Conclusions - Massage therapy may be a promising treatment for DOMS. Definitive studies are warranted.