Therapeutic Massage Effects on Skin and Muscle Blood Flow

Abstract

The physiological mechanisms resulting in the reported clinical effects of massage therapy (MT) are thought to include modulations in blood flow. Research assessing the ability of MT to modify blood flow has been inconclusive; possibly due to the difficulty of measuring blood flow without interfering with treatment effects. If MT improves blood flow to treated tissues it could influence the delivery of metabolic fuels, waste removal, and gas exchange, thus assisting the healing process. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of MT on peripheral and muscle blood flow. We hypothesized that a 10 minute therapeutic massage of the triceps surae in healthy adults would increase perfusion to skin in the massaged areas based on surface skin temperature changes; and increase perfusion to the massaged muscle based on increased local oxygen delivery. METHODS: Sixteen college students (6 males, 14 females) ages (21.14 ± 2.4 years) volunteered. Each subject received one 10 minute MT treatment on triceps surae. Dynamic Infrared Thermography (DIRT) was used to assess non-contact surface skin temperature changes, and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to assess oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) levels at pre, 5min post, and 15 min post-treatment. RESULTS: Repeated measures MANOVA revealed significant treatment x time interaction (F2, 14=20.9, p<0.001). Follow up paired t-tests of pre and post treatment indicated a significant effect of MT during 5 minute post-treatment (DIRT: t= -8.15, p<0.001; NIRS: t=-3.5, p<0.05) and 15 minute post-treatment (DIRT: t= -3.08, p<0.05; NIRS: t=-3.34, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Massage therapy produced significant increases in temperature and HbO2 levels over time. These increases in temperature and HbO2 may correspond to increases in peripheral and muscle blood flow in the treated areas.