Since meeting Dr Jeremy, I have spent extra time researching the science behind massage therapy and trying to find scientific publications on both human and horse massage. There are not that many published papers on horse massage, but there are some human equivalents that are comparable. The theory behind it should really be the same since physiologically we are the same. I have found interesting papers that are very sciency (yes, Im a nerd, I quite like them) and will be talking about them in later posts and trying to break them down to more understandable level.
Research-y work
One paper, actually the one on which we tried to base our research using the ultrasound, can be found here in a PDF format: http://www.sportsmassageinc.com/EffectsOfSportsMassage.pdf
In Short: The research results in that article say that massage increased the transverse diameter (ie width) of all measured muscles (average being 16%) and increased the stride lenght (average 3in) and reduced the stride frequency (average 3%).
We tried to emulate parts of the experiment to compare the increase in the width pre and post massage in a muscle (longissimus dorsi on the back) using the ultrasound, but found it very hard to measure. (And not very wisely used an uncooperative horse who was petrified of the UV machine!). Maybe the machine didnt have the right frequency range to use or maybe one needs to be very experienced to use it and read the results, but we found that even when the horse shifted his weight, there was a 25% change in the width of the muscle, or more accurately on the view of the muscle we saw on the screen. So this plan was scrapped for the time being. Im going to get in touch with the publishers and see if they can shed any light on how they went about measuring the muscles.
New ideas on how to do this are being formulated so (again) watch this space!
Massage Work
On top of my reading I have been working hard the last few weeks and loved getting my hands on all those racehorses at Jeremy's yard. So far I have massaged only three of them 4 weeks in a row with great results. For obvious reasons I cant discuss them in great detail, but it has been interesting how similar their tightness spots are and how clearly their training level shows up in their body. And even more interesting how well they have responded to massage. I suppose we always go through times of self doubts, particularly if what we believe in is challenged, so it has been lovely once again to have a confirmation of the efficacy of massage.
Am having a really busy week ahead again and will be getting my hands on few more racehorses. I wont get paid for all of them, but will be given full medical history, racing and training schedule etc etc by Dr Jeremy as a payment! I see it as a one to one tuition from a Vet specialised in excercise physiology. I'd say it is better than going back to University!!
