Changes in blood pressure after various forms of therapeutic massage: a preliminary study

The objective of this study was to determine the change in blood pressure (BP) in normotensive and prehypertensive adults resulting from a therapeutic massage, and the factors associated with such changes, including demographic and massage characteristics.

National University of Health Sciences Massage Therapy Clinic, Lombard, IL.

The subjects were 150 current adult massage therapy clients with BP lower than 150/95.

BP was measured before and after a therapeutic massage.

Change in BP and potential associated factors such as type of massage, duration of massage, specific body area massaged, amount of massage pressure, and demographic characteristics were studied.

Overall, systolic BP decreased by 1.8 mm Hg and diastolic BP increased by 0.1 mm Hg. Demographic factors associated with BP decrease included younger age (p = 0.01) and taller stature (p = 0.09). Type of massage was associated with change in BP: Swedish massage had the greatest effect at BP reduction. Trigger point therapy and sports massage both increased the systolic BP, and if both forms of massage were included in a session, both the systolic and diastolic BP readings significantly increased. No other massage factors were associated with a significant change in BP.

Type of massage was the main factor affecting change in BP. Increases in BP were noted for potentially painful massage techniques, including trigger point therapy.