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

By Alan David Kaye, M.D., PhD, DABPM, Aaron J Kaye, Jan Swinford, Amir Baluch, M.D., Brad A Bawcom, BS, Thomas J Lambert, M.D., & Jason M Hoover, M.D.

Published in J Altern Complement Med 2008, 14;2:125–8

Introduction

Recent studies demonstrate that 36% of the US population currently uses some form of alternative medicine. Massage therapy, in particular, has grown in popularity. Although awareness for the beneficial effects of massage is escalating, those benefits have not been well documented. Massage therapy, especially deep tissue massage (DTM) has been used for centuries to relieve myofascial syndromes including muscle spasm, muscle strain, and pain associated with numerous neuromuscular pathological processes. Recently, studies have demonstrated potential benefits of massage therapy on pathological conditions. These benefits may include alleviating insomnia even in critically ill patients, complementary treatment in multiple sclerosis therapy, reducing anxiety, and easing pain associated with cancer.

Materials and Methods

The study described the effects of DTM on systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure.

The study was performed at Lindsey’s Salon & Day Spa in Lubbock, Texas, between November 2004 and March 2006, and involved 263 volunteers (12% male, 88% female), with an average age of 48.5. Overall muscle spasm and muscle strain was described as either moderate or severe.

The level of experience of the massage therapist was 22 years. Twenty-one different soothing cds played in the background, barely audible, as the deep tissue massage was performed. The massages were between 45 and 60 minutes in duration.

Baseline blood pressure and heart rate were measured via an automatic blood pressure cuff. Blood pressure and heart rate for each volunteer were measured prior to the initiation of the massage and again after DTM and compared with baseline.

Results

Results 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), and a mean arterial pressure reduction of 7.0 mm Hg (p < 0.47), respectively. Furthermore, results also demonstrated an average heart rate reduction of 10.8 beats per minutes (p < 0.0003).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that DTM can significantly affect heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in predominately normotensive participants. Although these results shed light on the effects of massage, they also give rise to many questions since the precise mechanism or mechanisms are not well understood. In this regard, long-term beneficial effects are not known, and there is no consensus as to which physical states might benefit from this therapeutic technique.

Although many studies have been performed to understand the utility behind massage therapy, the scientific quality of these efforts has been inconsistent and inadequate.

This study demonstrated a high correlation between DTM and reduction in blood pressure and heart rate. These data are encouraging and positive, representing optimism and a hopeful outlook for future research in this area.

Reprint requests: Dr. Alan David Kaye, Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Stanislaus Hall, 450A South Clairborne Avenue, Room 231, New Orleans, LA 70112.