The Biomechanics of Massage: How Massage Therapy Changes the Tonicity of Muscles Massage is science. Want to know more? Read all of our articles. Any muscle in the body can be tight and can develop trigger points. The most common are the levator scapula and upper trapezius. Many people know that massage helps muscles relax, but few likely understand why. Massage is a science as well as an art.
Muscle tone is usually thought of in terms of fitness but really, tonicity refers to the level of tightness or flaccidity. Overuse can cause a muscle to be painfully tight while underuse can cause stiffening and shortening. Optimal tonicity is where muscles are able to return to a lengthened resting state after contraction and massage therapy can help. Massage affects muscles is specific, verifiable ways and it really isn't magic, although it might feel like magic when your pain is gone and you are thanking your wonderful therapist. If you are unfamiliar with some of the terms here (trigger points and fascia) please see my articles, "Myofascial Massage for the Sports Minded," and "The Pain Spasm Wheel," on my blog.