JA CAMBRON, J DEXHEIMER, P COE,
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the change in blood pressure (BP) in normotensive
and prehypertensive adults resulting from a therapeutic massage, and the factors associated with such
changes, including demographic and massage characteristics.
Design: settings/location: National University of Health Sciences Massage Therapy Clinic, Lombard, IL.
Subjects: The subjects were 150 current adult massage therapy clients with BP lower than 150/95.
Interventions: BP was measured before and after a therapeutic massage
Outcome measures: Change in BP and potential associated factors such as type of massage, duration of
massage, specific body area massaged, amount of massage pressure, and demographic characteristics were studied.
Results: Overall, systolic BP decreased by 1.8 mm Hg and diastolic BP increased by 0.1 mm Hg. Demographic
factors associated with BP decrease included younger age (p 0.01) and taller stature (p 0.09). Type
of massage was associated with change in BP: Swedish massage had the greatest effect at BP reduction. Trigger
point therapy and sports massage both increased the systolic BP, and if both forms of massage were included
in a session, both the systolic and diastolic BP readings significantly increased. No other massage factors
were associated with a significant change in BP.
Conclusions: Type of massage was the main factor affecting change in BP. Increases in BP were noted for
potentially painful massage techniques, including trigger point therapy.
THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
Volume 12, Number 1, 2006, pp. 65–70 – abstract
Filed under: Blood pressure, massage, pain | Tagged: Blood pressure, massage, pain, sports
