The Effects of Massage in Patients With Chronic Tension Headache

Puustjärvi, Kaija; Airaksinen, Olavi; Pöntinen, Pekka J.

doi:10.3727/036012990816358234

Cited by 45 publications

(16 citation statements)

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“…That result is consistent with findings by Naliboff and Tachiki (15) and Puustjärvi et al (17) that massage to the trapezius did not result in a change in trapezius muscle tension. A reduction of EMG activity after massage has thus far been consistently found only in the frontalis muscle (17,18) . Frontalis EMG is thought to be related to overall levels of anxiety (19) .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Effects of Patterns of Pressure Application on Resting Electromyography During Massage

Roberts¹

2011

IJTMB

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Background:To increase the understanding of the physiological mechanisms by which massage therapy produces health benefits such as pain relief and anxiety reduction, the relationship between specific elements of massage and physiological outcomes must be addressed.Purpose: The effects on resting muscular activity of applying varying levels of pressure during massage were investigated.Methods: In this clinical crossover study, conducted in a simulated clinical setting, human subjects (n = 25; mean age: 34.1 years) received 3 different levels of massage pressure to the legs. A licensed therapist applied pressure to the rectus femoris in a distal-to-proximal direction. Each volunteer received the 3 levels of pressure in 2 different orders-increasing (IP) and decreasing pressures (DP)-separated by at least 4 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity levels at baseline and after each pressure level.Results: During the trials of IP, EMG did not vary significantly [Greenhouse-Geisser corrected analysis of variance F(1.71 df) = 0.30, p = 0.71]. During the trials of DP, EMG varied significantly [Greenhouse-Geisser corrected analysis of variance F(1.58 df) = 4.49, p = 0.03], with the largest variation, an increase of 235%, noted between baseline activity and activity after deep pressure. After application of light pressure, activity returned to baseline levels. Interestingly, the overall levels of force required to achieve subjective pressure levels as reported by the client were higher in the DP protocol than in the IP protocol (p < 0.02).Conclusions: These results suggest that the physiological response of the muscle depends on the pattern of applied pressure during massage. That finding is consistent with a mechanism by which light-or moderate-pressure massage (or a combination) may reduce the gain of spinal nociceptive reflexes. As those reflexes are elevated in chronic pain syndromes, pressure variation provides a possible mechanism for the relief of chronic pain by massage therapy.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Effects of Patterns of Pressure Application on Resting Electromyography During Massage

Roberts¹

2011

IJTMB

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“…In clinical trials, two studies utilizing massage as part of a physical therapy program for treating tension-type headache note a signifi cant reduction in headache frequency 4,5 . More directly related to massage, Puustjarvi et al report that women with chronic tension-type headache receiving massage experience a reduction in the number of days with pain, even at a six month follow-up 6 . More recently, a case series employing highly trained massage therapists reported reduction in headache frequency by 50% aft er as few as two 30-minute massage sessions 7 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Clinical Parameters in Patients with Tension-type Headache Following Massage Therapy: A Pilot Study

Moraska¹,

Chandler²

2008

Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy

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ABSTRACT:Complementary and alternative medicine approaches to treatment for tension-type headache are increasingly popular among patients, but evidence supporting its effi cacy is limited. Th e objective of this study was to assess short term changes on primary and secondary headache pain measures in patients with tension-type headache (TTH) receiving a structured massage therapy program with a focus on myofascial trigger point therapy. Participants were enrolled in an open label trial using a baseline control with four 3-week phases: baseline, massage (two 3-week phases) and follow-up. Twice weekly, 45-minute massage sessions commenced following the baseline phase. A daily headache diary was maintained throughout the study in which participants recorded headache incidence, intensity, and duration. Th e Headache Disability Index was administered upon study entry and at 3-week intervals thereaft er. 18 subjects were enrolled with 16 completing all headache diary, evaluation, and massage assignments. Study participants reported a median of 7.5 years with TTH. Headache frequency decreased from 4.7±0.7 episodes per week during baseline to 3.7±0.9 during treatment period 2 (P<0.001); reduction was also noted during the follow-up phase (3.2±1.0). Secondary measures of headache also decreased across the study phases with headache intensity decreasing by 30% (P<0.01) and headache duration from 4.0±1.3 to 2.8±0.5 hours (P<0.05). A corresponding improvement in Headache Disability Index was found with massage (P<0.001). Th is pilot study provides preliminary evidence for reduction in headache pain and disability with massage therapy that targets myofascial trigger points, suggesting the need for more rigorously controlled studies.

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“…It was considered that massage may be a useful option for short -term pain relief. Puustjarvi et al (1990) investigated 21 female subjects with chronic tension headaches. Each subject received 10 sessions of upper body massage -kneading and stroking, with prolonged work over trigger points.…”

Section: Painmentioning

confidence: 99%