Immediate Effects of Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Authors

  • Kyle Knight University of Kentucky
  • Erin Napier University of Kentucky

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17784/mtprehabjournal.2020.18.1186

Keywords:

Massage, therapeutic massage, benefits, pain, pain threshold, pain tolerance

Abstract

Introduction: This study is meant to determine the immediate effects of therapeutic massage on pain tolerance and threshold.

 

Methods: Fourteen subjects were recruited from a sample of convenience. Subjects were randomized to have either the massage or no-massage protocol on their initial visit with the remaining protocol on their following visit. All subjects completed two sessions with the pain-eliciting test, one with the massage protocol and one with the no-massage protocol.

 

Results: All 14 subjects achieved a higher pain tolerance during the massage protocol compared to their own no-massage protocol. The pain tolerance difference between protocols was calculated by a paired T-Test (p value 0.0003) to be a significant difference. No significant difference was found for pain threshold between protocols.

 

Discussion: It appears that therapeutic massage does have a likelihood of increasing pain tolerance when subjects are submitted to a painful stimulus immediately post-massage. This study validates the use of therapeutic massage as an adjunct treatment to improve pain tolerance before a potentially painful procedure.

 

Conclusion: Prophylactic massage was shown to allow healthy participants to achieve a higher pain tolerance when subjected to a pain-eliciting test immediately after the massage was received.

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Published

2020-12-22

How to Cite

Knight, K., & Napier, E. (2020). Immediate Effects of Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage on Pain Tolerance and Threshold. Manual Therapy, Posturology & Rehabilitation Journal, 18, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.17784/mtprehabjournal.2020.18.1186

Issue

Section

Research articles