Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
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Chapter 10 / Massage Therapy and CVD 157<br />
sage increases systolic stroke volume via a decreased heart rate, thus<br />
increasing diastolic filling. The reduction in heart rate is effected by a<br />
decrease in stimulation of the sympathetic the increase in parasympathetic<br />
activity. One small study demonstrated a reduction in systolic and<br />
diastolic blood pressures after 30 min of massage on the back area. The<br />
systolic pressure was reduced from mean values of 142 to 133 mmHg.<br />
After massage, the patients scored significantly lower on anxiety, depression,<br />
and hostility scales and had a decrease from premessage levels in<br />
salivary and urinary cortisol hormone levels (25). Another recent study<br />
of 52 people demonstrated a significant decrease in blood pressure after<br />
a 15-min chair massage (26).<br />
THE EFFECTS OF MASSAGE<br />
ON THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM<br />
One of the most widely recognized physiologic effects of body work<br />
is an increase in peripheral and central blood flow. Studies dating back<br />
to the 1930s described increases in blood flow resulting from massage,<br />
with a dilation of superficial blood vessels and a consequent decrease in<br />
peripheral vascular resistance (27).<br />
Studies that have examined the increase in the number of open capillaries<br />
and the rate of blood flow before and after massage have noted<br />
an effect similar to exercise, with an enhanced amount of open capillaries.<br />
The peak open capillary count per mm 2 of muscle was 1400 after<br />
massage and 3500 after peak exercise. Resting capillary counts were a<br />
mean of 37. This effect was noted to last for approx 24 h and, as with<br />
exercise, the more frequent and intense the stimulus (massage) the longer<br />
the capillaries stayed open at rest. In addition, massage has been reported<br />
to increase lymph circulation (28,29).<br />
Pain Reduction<br />
Massage therapy is often effective in reducing pain and can help to<br />
reduce muscle tension and muscle contraction, which is generally present<br />
in a pain-type condition. The author has found that often, when there is<br />
a complaint of pain, it is accompanied by contracted skin, fascia, and<br />
muscle. When moderate therapeutic pressure is applied directly on the<br />
skin, the tissue is softened and normalized and discomfort eased. This is<br />
important, because the underlying tissues must be kept healthy. It is<br />
believed that tight contracted tissues “squeeze” pain receptors, blood<br />
vessels, and nerves, resulting in pain, fatigue, and weakness. Massage<br />
decreases pain by releasing endorphins, enkephalins, and other painmodulating<br />
neurochemicals. In addition, the general relaxation brought