Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

156 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
increases local circulation, potentially enhancing oxygen delivery of
nutrients that may help to normalize muscle anatomy and physiology (13).
THE EFFECTS OF MASSAGE ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of massage on the
nervous system; however, these effects are limited to the massage period.
Four separate studies have demonstrated the effect of massage therapy on
the amplitude of H-Reflex response. The H-Reflex is a measure of
neuromuscular excitability measured by using skin electrodes. It is increased
in spinal cord injury and in patients who are suffering from
muscular cramps or spasms. Decreasing the H-Reflex response correlated
with increased patient comfort and decreased cramps and spasms.
The massage therapy related reduction in the H-Reflex amplitude (60–
80%); however, lasts only during the massage. The importance of this
observation is the implication that local massage therapy mediates
changes in H-Reflex, which reflects a change in the excitability of motor
nerves in the spinal cord (14–18).
Massage either sedates or stimulate a person’s nervous system, depending
on its application. Most commonly, massage will sedate the
nervous system. Massage can downregulate the sympathetic nervous
system and enhance the parasympathetic nervous system activity. In
contrast, in preevent sport massage, the body worker stimulates the
sympathetic nervous system activity so that the athlete is “ready for
action” (19).
Massage may mediate an increase in parasympathetic activation to
slow the heart rate and may decrease body temperature, enhance digestion
and elimination, and reduce stress-related hormone levels, such as
cortisol norepinephrine and adrenaline (20).
Blood and Coagulation
Massage enhances functional red blood cell number and white blood
cells and platelet counts (21). Thrombosis from impaired venous return
may be prevented by massage, as indicated in one study of burn patients.
In this study, unilateral lower extremity massage decreased the incidence
of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the massaged limb by 82%, in
comparison with the untreated limb (22). Arm massage also decreases
DVT incidence (23).
Blood Pressure
Massage mechanically assists venous blood flow return to the heart
and stimulates tissue release of histamines and acetylcholine (24). Mas-