The Effect of Deep-Tissue Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Alan David Kaye Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA.

Aaron J. Kaye Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA.

Jan Swinford Lindsay's Day Salon & Day Spa, Lubbock, TX.

Amir Baluch Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami, Miami, FL.

Brad A. Bawcom Medical student at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.

Thomas J. Lambert Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX.

Jason M. Hoover Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Vol. 14: Issue. 2: Pages. 125-128
(Issue publication date: March 2008)

DOI: 10.1089/acm.2007.0665

ABSTRACT

Aim: In the present study, we describe the effects of deep tissue massage on systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure.

Materials and methods: The study involved 263 volunteers (12% males and 88% females), with an average age of 48.5. Overall muscle spasm/muscle strain was described as either moderate or severe for each patient. Baseline blood pressure and heart rate were measured via an automatic blood pressure cuff. Twenty-one (21) different soothing CDs played in the background as the deep tissue massage was performed over the course of the study. The massages were between 45 and 60 minutes in duration. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance with post-hoc Scheffe's F-test.

Results: Results of the present study demonstrated an average systolic pressure reduction of 10.4 mm Hg (p < 0.06), a diastolic pressure reduction of 5.3 mm Hg (p< 0.04), a mean arterial pressure reduction of 7.0 mm Hg (p < 0.47), and an average heart rate reduction of 10.8 beats per minute (p < 0.0003), respectively.

Conclusions: Additional scientific research in this area is warranted.