Physiological and clinical changes after therapeutic massage of the neck and shoulders

The study conducted by researchers from Neuromechanics Research Laboratory, at Auburn University, USA, investigated the influence of a standardized clinical neck/shoulder Therapeutic Massage intervention on physiological effect of massage. The physiological measures were: assessing α-motoneurone pool excitability, muscle activity; and the clinical measure of range of motion (ROM) compared to a light touch and control intervention. Sixteen healthy adults participated in three, 20 min interventions: Control, Light Touch and Therapeutic Massage.

Analysis of  the data indicated a decrease in FCR α-motoneurone pool excitability after Therapeutic Massage, compared to both the Light Touch or Control.

EMG signal amplitude decreased after Therapeutic Massage by 13%, when compared to the control, and 12% as compared to Light Touch. The Therapeutic Massage intervention produced increases in cervical ROM in all directions assessed: flexion, lateral flexion, extension, and rotation.

Therapeutic Massage of the neck/shoulders reduced the α-motoneurone pool excitability of the flexor carpi radialis after Therapeutic Massage, but not after the Light Touch or Control. Moreover, decreases in the normalized EMG amplitude during MVIC of the upper trapezius muscle; and increases in cervical ROM in all directions assessed occurred after Therapeutic Massage, but not after the Light Touch or Control.