Massage is not just relaxation – it is Passive Exercise

In exercise science, “Passive Exercise” is defined as:
Body movements driven by external force without active muscle contraction.
Common examples include,

Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machines used in rehabilitation.

Therapists guiding limb movements in clinical care.

Massage: through external pressure, stretching and rolling, muscles, fascia and joints are passively mobilized.

Therefore, massage is not merely relaxation, but a scientifically recognized form of “Passive Exercise”.

Scientific values of Massage as Passive Exercise:
1. Improves Circulation — Emory University cancer research (2015, Winship Cancer Institute) demonstrated that regular massage significantly improves blood and lymphatic circulation; Harvard Men’s Health Watch (2019) reported that blood flow enhancement after massage can last up to 72 hours.

2. Reduces Inflammation — Harvard Wyss Institute experiment (2021, Science Translational Medicine) showed that massage-like mechanical stimulation reduces inflammatory cell infiltration and accelerates muscle repair; McMaster University research by Mark Tarnopolsky (2012, Science Translational Medicine) confirmed massage reduces
inflammatory factors and promotes mitochondrial function.

3. Enhances Neuromuscular Perception — Randomized controlled trial by Dr. Mark Rapaport at Emory University (2010, Depression and Anxiety) demonstrated massage significantly improves anxiety and enhances neuromuscular feedback.

4. Delays Muscle Loss — NIH and NIA (2010s–2020s clinical reviews and guidelines) highlighted massage and passive exercise as important non-pharmacological interventions to delay sarcopenia and functional decline in older adults.

Logical chain:
Massage = Passive Exercise → Circulation ↑ → Nutrient Supply Improved → Inflammation ↓ → Neuromuscular Feedback ↑ → Vitality ↑ → Delayed Muscle Loss

International Research Evidence

1. Harvard University 🇺🇸 (USA)
   - Year: 2021 (Wyss Institute, published in Science Translational Medicine)
   - Topic: Massage-like mechanical stimulation accelerates injured muscle repair
   - Content: In mouse models, mechanical compression reduced inflammatory cell infiltration,
     accelerated muscle fiber regeneration, and promoted stronger recovery.
   - Supplement: Harvard Health Publishing (2019–2022) articles reported massage alleviates pain and stress;
     Harvard Men’s Health Watch (2019) showed blood flow improvement lasting up to 72 hours.

2. Emory University 🇺🇸 (USA, Atlanta)
   - Year: 2015 (Winship Cancer Institute, published in Cancer)
   - Topic: Massage reduces cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors
   - Content: Six weeks of Swedish massage resulted in significantly lower fatigue scores,
     improved circulation and better quality of life.
   - Year: 2010 (Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Mark Rapaport, published in Depression and Anxiety)
   - Topic: Massage as treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
   - Content: RCT showed massage group significantly improved anxiety and depressive symptoms from the 5th session onward.

3. McMaster University 🇨🇦 (Canada)
   - Year: 2012 (published in Science Translational Medicine)
   - Topic: Molecular effects of massage after exercise
   - Content: Massage downregulated inflammatory pathways (NF-κB) and upregulated genes related to mitochondrial
     biogenesis, supporting muscle health at the cellular level.

4. NIH / NIA 🇺🇸 (National Institutes of Health / National Institute on Aging, USA)
   - Year: 2010s–2020s (ongoing reviews and clinical guidelines)
   - Topic: Massage and passive exercise in aging and rehabilitation
   - Content: Emphasized as non-pharmacological interventions to improve pain, sleep, anxiety and delay muscle loss
     (sarcopenia) in aging populations.