Effect of gentle massage on regression of sensory analgesia during epidural block

We investigated the effect of gentle epigastric massage on the regression of the sensory analgesia of epidural block. Sixteen patients, who underwent minor obstetric or gynecologic surgery under epidural block with lidocaine, were divided into two groups. Group A was the control group. Group B received gentle massage of the epigastric area for 30 min. The proximal extent of sensory analgesia before massage and 0 and 30 min after the massage was T9 +/- 1, T10 +/- 1, and T10 +/- 1 in group A, and T9 +/- 1, T11 +/- 1 and L1 +/- 1 in group B (mean +/- SD), respectively. The regression of sensory analgesia in group B was significantly (P < 0.001) faster than in group A 30 min after the massage. We conclude that peripheral sensory stimulation as weak as gentle massage may initiate a series of indirect mechanisms that lead to accelerated regression of sensory analgesia.