Physiospot CAM

Massage Reduces Pain Perception and Hyperalgesia in Experimental Muscle Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Laura A. Frey Law, Stephanie Evans, Jill Knudtson, Steven Nus, Kerri Scholl, Kathleen A. Sluka

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of massage on mechanical hyperalgesia and perceived pain using delayed onset muscle soreness as an endogenous model of myalgia. The participants (no-treatment control, superficial touch, or deep-tissue massage groups) performed eccentric wrist extension exercises at visit 1 to induce DOMS 48 hours later at visit 2. Pain, assessed using VAS and PPT were measured at baseline, after exercise, before treatment, and after treatment. Deep massage decreased pain during muscle stretch. Mechanical hyperalgesia was reduced after both the deep massage and superficial touch groups relative to control.

This randomized, controlled trial suggests that massage is capable of reducing myalgia symptoms by approximately 25% to 50%, varying with assessment technique. Thus, potential analgesia may depend on the pain assessment used. This information may assist clinicians in determining conservative treatment options for patients with myalgia.

The Journal of Pain, 9(8), 714-721

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Comparison of a targeted and general massage protocol on strength, function, and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized pilot study.

Moraska A, Chandler C, Edmiston-Schaetzel A, Franklin G, Calenda EL, Enebo B

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two distinct massage therapy protocols on strength, function, and symptoms associated with CTS. 27 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of CTS were randomly assigned to receive 6 weeks of twice-weekly massage consisting of either a general (GM) or CTS-targeted (TM) massage treatment program. Both GM and TM treatments resulted in an improvement of subjective measures associated with CTS, but improvement in grip strength was only detected with the TM protocol.

Massage therapy may be a practical conservative intervention for compression neuropathies, such as CTS, although additional research is needed.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine,2008, 14(3), 259-67

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A randomised study of the effects of massage therapy compared to guided relaxation on well-being and stress perception among older adults

Sharpe, P.A., Williams, H.G., Granner, M.L. and Hussey, J.R.

This study assessed the effects of massage when compared with guided relaxation on stress perception and well-being among older adults.  The study was a randomised pilot study, which recruited adults over the age of 60.  The participants received 50 minute sessions twice weekly of either massage therapy or guided relaxation sessions, with questionnaires administered 1 week pre test and post test (following the last session).

Significant improvements were found for anxiety, depression, vitality, general health and positive well being among the massage participants compared with the guided relaxation group.  This would suggest that massage therapy enhances positive well-being and reduces stress perception among community-dwelling older adults.

 

Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2007) 15:3 157-163

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Effectiveness of Massage Therapy for Chronic, Non-malignant Pain: A Review

Jennie C.I. Tsao

Previous reviews of massage therapy for chronic, non-malignant pain have focused on discrete pain conditions. This article aims to provide a broad overview of the literature on the effectiveness of massage for a variety of chronic, non-malignant pain complaints to identify gaps in the research and to inform future clinical trials. Computerized databases were searched for relevant studies including prior reviews and primary trials of massage therapy for chronic, non-malignant pain. Existing research provides fairly robust support for the analgesic effects of massage for non-specific low back pain, but only moderate support for such effects on shoulder pain and headache pain. There is only modest, preliminary support for massage in the treatment of fibromyalgia, mixed chronic pain conditions, neck pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, research to date provides varying levels of evidence for the benefits of massage therapy for different chronic pain conditions. 

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2007, 4(2), 165-179

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