What brain chemical gets released when you get deep-tissue massage?

[FitFossil]

I just wondered, because I am addicted to getting myself sore and then having deep-tissue massage. If I have a massage and am not sore, I feel like I wasted my money.

Sometimes when the therapist is working on something really sore (like my hams), the pain will be blissfully intense and then all of a sudden I feel high, and sometimes I'll drop off to sleep, which is weird since the pain is intense - what's happening in my brain and body?

Is this a safe addiction? Anyone else "into pain" like this?

 

[Puddles]

I go for deep tissue massage for a problem area and it's always very sensitive. She gets in so deep and it's some very intense pain, but I enjoy it like you. I almost want to scream and moan but I don't...I just sink deep into my mind and do some deep breathing. Sometimes she will ask me a question and I can't speak until she's done manipulating that muscle. When she moves onto gentler massaging it's like a headrush of peace and serinity. I know that I'll be sore when she's done, but it's a different kind of hurt and it actually feels good. The pain I initially went in to be treated for is gone and will usually remain gone for days afterwards. I went on Monday and will go again on Friday.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

I wonder if endorphins are released or serontonin....I bet MS would know the answer to this one....

 

[Torchy]

Nothing quite feels as good as that pain, does it Gosh, I absolutely love it!

 

[Spook]

Endorphins are released

Serotonin is most likely not very feasible since it is localized to either two particular areas of the brain, platelets in the blood stream, and most predominantly in the intestinal muscle lining, but it is thought to be endorphins that are being released from a deep tissue massage.

Over the past several years, roughly 50 different endorphins have been identified (if I remember correctly). Endorphins are the bodies own painkillers (the word means endogenous morphine). The body only produces a limited quantity though and it is usually transmitted through the CNS and PNS to the spot that hurts.

Deep tissue massages do feel great though. Sometimes the deep tissue massages will just release other chemicals that are built up in nodules that may cause pain. Some people claim its lactic acid build up and others will say other things about what causes these nodules or knots in the muslce tissue where the soreness or stress is being stored. Personally, I couldn't tell you what it is, but I seem to think that it simply gets released through the constant pressure applied to the muscle.

Hope this info helps a little.