Massage therapy has a rich history dating back over 3,000 years, where it has been utilized to alleviate sore and injured muscles. In the modern era, athletes have embraced the use of massage guns as a key tool in their rehabilitation process. The effectiveness of these "mechanotherapies" in promoting healing after severe injuries has long been a subject of debate. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering has shed new light on this topic.
The study employed a specially designed robotic system to apply consistent and adjustable compressive forces to the leg muscles of mice. Through this mechanical loading (ML), the research team observed a rapid clearance of immune cells known as neutrophils from the severely injured muscle tissue. Furthermore, this process facilitated the removal of inflammatory cytokines released by neutrophils, thereby enhancing the regeneration of muscle fibers.
Published in Science Translational Medicine, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the connection between mechanical stimulation and immune function. Lead author Bo Ri Seo, a Postdoctoral Fellow under the guidance of Dave Mooney, the Robert P. Pinkas Family Professor of Bioengineering at SEAS and a Core Faculty member of the Wyss Institute, highlighted the significance of this research. Seo emphasized the potential of mechanical stimulation in tissue regeneration, not limited to muscle but extending to bone, tendon, hair, and skin. Moreover, this approach could offer a promising alternative for patients who cannot undergo traditional drug-based interventions. - Read more
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