Objective Evidence for the Effectiveness of Single-session Treatment with a Spinal Thermal Massage Device : A Pilot Study

Abstract

Individuals often report significant relief from pain and stress even after a single session of massage therapy; however, no previous studies have provided objective evidence supporting the effectiveness of a solitary massage therapy session. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of one-time treatment with a spinal thermal massage device reported to exert the same therapeutic effects as massage therapy in terms of pain reduction and stress relief. A man with chronic low back pain (LBP) underwent two rounds of experiments involving spinal massage treatment and bed rest, respectively. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured in real-time to examine autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Blood samples were obtained at five points during each round of the experiment to examine changes in cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Spinal massage significantly reduced pain and enhanced parasympathetic activity when compared with the bed rest condition. In addition, both epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were lower following spinal massage than following bed rest. These results are consistent with the reported effects of conventional massage therapy and support the effectiveness of one-time treatment using a spinal thermal massage device.