Massage is described as preventing or relieving soft tissue injuries and helping repair by increasing blood flow. It also has what additional effect?

• A. It reduces joint mobility.
• B. It increases scar tissue.
• C. It concentrates lactic acid in tissue.
• D. It helps break down scar tissue.

Answer: (D)

Massage supports healing by boosting blood flow, bringing nutrients to damaged tissue and helping remove waste products. An additional important effect is that it helps remodel scar tissue by breaking down adhesions and realigning collagen fibers, which improves tissue elasticity and range of motion after injury. This is why the best answer is that it helps break down scar tissue.

The other ideas don’t fit with how massage aids rehabilitation: reducing joint mobility would hinder recovery, increasing scar tissue would worsen healing, and concentrating lactic acid would imply poorer waste removal—whereas massage actually promotes circulation and helps clear metabolic byproducts.