Stress hormone production reduced by massage therapy ? where is the proof ? - massage and bodywork professionals2024-03-29T10:08:20Zhttps://massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?commentId=2887274%3AComment%3A33388&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi Mary Ellen.
That quote co…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-18:2887274:Comment:336722009-10-18T15:34:36.845ZChristopher A. Moyerhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/ChristopherAMoyer
Hi Mary Ellen.<br />
<br />
That quote comes from the section of the 2004 paper in which my colleagues and I are reviewing the current theories for how massage might produce benefits. Later in that same paper we examine some of the evidence that may, or may not, support those theories. One of the things we found is that massage does not reduce cortisol very much at all, which casts serious doubt on the theory summarized by that earlier quote. We go on to say this:<br />
<br />
It is interesting to note that, among the…
Hi Mary Ellen.<br />
<br />
That quote comes from the section of the 2004 paper in which my colleagues and I are reviewing the current theories for how massage might produce benefits. Later in that same paper we examine some of the evidence that may, or may not, support those theories. One of the things we found is that massage does not reduce cortisol very much at all, which casts serious doubt on the theory summarized by that earlier quote. We go on to say this:<br />
<br />
It is interesting to note that, among the theories that are commonly offered to explain MT effects, the most popular theories are the ones least supported by the present results. The failure to find a significant effect for immediate assessment of pain contradicts the theory that MT provides stimuli that interfere with pain consistent with gate control<br />
theory. Reductions in blood pressure and heart rate resulting from MT do support the theory that MT promotes a parasympathetic response, although, if this theory is true, it would also be expected that a significant reduction in cortisol levels would have occurred, which did not."<br />
<br />
Since 2004 my colleagues and I have reviewed other evidence and our findings are consistent - massage has little to no effect on cortisol levels.<br />
<br />
Does that clarify?<br />
<br />
-CM<br />
<br />
<cite>Mary Ellen Derwis-Balaz said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?id=2887274%3ATopic%3A30029&page=2#2887274Comment33664"><div>Mayber I missed something here but in this direct quote from the article<br/> "The pressure applied during MT may stimulate vagal activity<br/>
(Field, 1998, pp. 1273, 1276–1277), which in turn leads to a<br/>
reduction of stress hormones and physiological arousal, and a<br/>
subsequent parasympathetic response of the ANS (e.g., Ferrell-<br/>
Torry & Glick, 1993; Hulme, Waterman, & Hillier, 1999;<br/>
Schachner, Field, Hernandez-Reif, Duarte, & Krasnegor, 1998).<br/>
By stimulating a parasympathetic response through physiological<br/>
means, MT may promote reductions in anxiety, depression, and<br/>
pain that are consistent with a state of calmness. This same<br/>
mechanism may also be responsible for several condition-specific<br/>
benefits resulting from MT, such as increased immune system<br/>
response in HIV-positive individuals (Diego et al., 2001), or improved<br/>
functioning during a test of mental performance, in which<br/>
study participants receiving MT also displayed changes in electroencephalograph<br/>
pattern consistent with increased relaxation and<br/>
alertness (Field, Ironson, et al., 1996). However, support for this<br/>
theory is not universal, and it has even been suggested that MT<br/>
may promote a sympathetic response of the ANS (e.g., Barr &<br/>
Taslitz, 1970)."<br/>
the statement that Mt incereaes the parasympathethetic response is a suggestion.... NOT A CONCLUSION</div>
</blockquote> Mayber I missed something her…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-18:2887274:Comment:336642009-10-18T15:11:32.455ZMary Ellen Derwis-Balazhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/MaryEllenDerwisBalaz
Mayber I missed something here but in this direct quote from the article<br />
"The pressure applied during MT may stimulate vagal activity<br />
(Field, 1998, pp. 1273, 1276–1277), which in turn leads to a<br />
reduction of stress hormones and physiological arousal, and a<br />
subsequent parasympathetic response of the ANS (e.g., Ferrell-<br />
Torry & Glick, 1993; Hulme, Waterman, & Hillier, 1999;<br />
Schachner, Field, Hernandez-Reif, Duarte, & Krasnegor, 1998).<br />
By stimulating a parasympathetic response through…
Mayber I missed something here but in this direct quote from the article<br />
"The pressure applied during MT may stimulate vagal activity<br />
(Field, 1998, pp. 1273, 1276–1277), which in turn leads to a<br />
reduction of stress hormones and physiological arousal, and a<br />
subsequent parasympathetic response of the ANS (e.g., Ferrell-<br />
Torry & Glick, 1993; Hulme, Waterman, & Hillier, 1999;<br />
Schachner, Field, Hernandez-Reif, Duarte, & Krasnegor, 1998).<br />
By stimulating a parasympathetic response through physiological<br />
means, MT may promote reductions in anxiety, depression, and<br />
pain that are consistent with a state of calmness. This same<br />
mechanism may also be responsible for several condition-specific<br />
benefits resulting from MT, such as increased immune system<br />
response in HIV-positive individuals (Diego et al., 2001), or improved<br />
functioning during a test of mental performance, in which<br />
study participants receiving MT also displayed changes in electroencephalograph<br />
pattern consistent with increased relaxation and<br />
alertness (Field, Ironson, et al., 1996). However, support for this<br />
theory is not universal, and it has even been suggested that MT<br />
may promote a sympathetic response of the ANS (e.g., Barr &<br />
Taslitz, 1970)."<br />
the statement that Mt incereaes the parasympathethetic response is a suggestion.... NOT A CONCLUSION I'd like to add something to…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-17:2887274:Comment:334632009-10-17T18:35:31.772ZChristopher A. Moyerhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/ChristopherAMoyer
I'd like to add something to this remark, if I may. We should make a distinction between "going to war" and having a scientific or professional disagreement. We do not need to agree on everything, nor is it necessary to always be neutral or position oneself "in the middle of the road" on scientific matters. Discussion and comparison of theories and evidence is possible and even productive, and does not need to devolve into a flame war or a personal issue. Indeed, when such a "war" occurs,…
I'd like to add something to this remark, if I may. We should make a distinction between "going to war" and having a scientific or professional disagreement. We do not need to agree on everything, nor is it necessary to always be neutral or position oneself "in the middle of the road" on scientific matters. Discussion and comparison of theories and evidence is possible and even productive, and does not need to devolve into a flame war or a personal issue. Indeed, when such a "war" occurs, progress is prevented or even lost.<br />
<br />
I look forward to such discussions.<br />
<br />
It might even interest you to know that I have some scientific opinions on reiki. :)<br />
<br />
-CM<br />
<br />
<cite>Stephen Jeffrey said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?id=2887274%3ATopic%3A30029&page=2#2887274Comment33386"><div>Hi Marissa, I am with you in trying to stay neutral, and you are so right in the example you give re Reiki =I dont want or feel I need answeres as to how or why it works.But say massage therapy on neck muscles was proved as outright the "best" treatment for high blood pressure then thats surely got to be good thing right!<br/> We dont ever need to go to war on <u>here</u> so long as we all try to understand one another. I like Dustin, would never have thought there was so much good information (yes you may have to read it twice) to be had in an artical like that!<br/>
Being honest I would not usually even read that kind of material its only this recession here in the UK has given me time to do that and my eyes have been opened to the predudice I held.<br/>
<br/>
<cite>Marissa Macias said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production#2887274Comment33111"><div>This is where "medical" and "complementary" treatments start to blur around the edges and go to war. Science can not explain everything. There are too many "unexplained" occurrences in this delightful world to suggest otherwise. Let this be known here and now: I am not picking and or choosing either side. Remaining politically neutral on this. Controlled factors, uncontrolled factors, as long as it works for that particular individual, who are we to judge? The mind is a powerful motivator. What may work for me could be completely debunked with a scientific study, and "knowing" those scientific results could very well cause complete melt down. Again this is where the medical community is struggling to accept something that can not nor ever will be placed in it's tidy little hole. And this is where the complementary treatments are unable to sufficiently state a solid "truth" in statement. Stephen, Reiki... Some things are explained, but it is not uniformly accepted. Am I making sense? I can hear it, see it, but not explain it suitably!</div>
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</blockquote> RE: reading things twice. I o…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-17:2887274:Comment:334622009-10-17T18:29:34.923ZChristopher A. Moyerhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/ChristopherAMoyer
RE: reading things twice. I often talk with my students about this; the more technical an article or piece of information is, the more I find it is important to read it at least twice. I'm glad someone mentioned this and that you are reiterating it.<br />
<br />
Since we are talking about some things I myself have written, I will add that I work very hard in my scientific writing to make it as accessible as possible! It's not always easy to do, though, and sometimes people have an automatic reaction to…
RE: reading things twice. I often talk with my students about this; the more technical an article or piece of information is, the more I find it is important to read it at least twice. I'm glad someone mentioned this and that you are reiterating it.<br />
<br />
Since we are talking about some things I myself have written, I will add that I work very hard in my scientific writing to make it as accessible as possible! It's not always easy to do, though, and sometimes people have an automatic reaction to reading anything that is scientific or technical in nature, which I can at least partially understand. Nevertheless, I hope that massage therapists do continue to try and work with the interesting research that is out there, and that they do keep up with and even contribute to the recently established online massage therapy journal available at: <a href="http://www.ijtmb.org">www.ijtmb.org</a> . Note that there are distinct research, practice, and education sections.<br />
<br />
-CM<br />
<br />
<cite>Stephen Jeffrey said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?id=2887274%3ATopic%3A30029&page=2#2887274Comment33388"><div>Hi Dustin so glad you found the article of great interest, I like you had to read it twice to really "get it".<br/> Like you say this site has so much to offer. I think you will find the<br/>
<a href="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/EBMT">http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/EBMT</a> and many others interesting and fun.<br/>
Regards steve</div>
</blockquote> Hi Dustin so glad you found t…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-17:2887274:Comment:333882009-10-17T09:14:41.911ZStephen Jeffreyhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/StephenJeffrey
Hi Dustin so glad you found the article of great interest, I like you had to read it twice to really "get it".<br />
Like you say this site has so much to offer. I think you will find the<br />
<a href="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/EBMT">http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/EBMT</a> and many others interesting and fun.<br />
Regards steve
Hi Dustin so glad you found the article of great interest, I like you had to read it twice to really "get it".<br />
Like you say this site has so much to offer. I think you will find the<br />
<a href="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/EBMT">http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/EBMT</a> and many others interesting and fun.<br />
Regards steve Hi Marissa, I am with you in…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-17:2887274:Comment:333862009-10-17T09:04:51.606ZStephen Jeffreyhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/StephenJeffrey
Hi Marissa, I am with you in trying to stay neutral, and you are so right in the example you give re Reiki =I dont want or feel I need answeres as to how or why it works.But say massage therapy on neck muscles was proved as outright the "best" treatment for high blood pressure then thats surely got to be good thing right!<br />
We dont ever need to go to war on <u>here</u> so long as we all try to understand one another. I like Dustin, would never have thought there was so much good information (yes…
Hi Marissa, I am with you in trying to stay neutral, and you are so right in the example you give re Reiki =I dont want or feel I need answeres as to how or why it works.But say massage therapy on neck muscles was proved as outright the "best" treatment for high blood pressure then thats surely got to be good thing right!<br />
We dont ever need to go to war on <u>here</u> so long as we all try to understand one another. I like Dustin, would never have thought there was so much good information (yes you may have to read it twice) to be had in an artical like that!<br />
Being honest I would not usually even read that kind of material its only this recession here in the UK has given me time to do that and my eyes have been opened to the predudice I held.<br />
<br />
<cite>Marissa Macias said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production#2887274Comment33111"><div>This is where "medical" and "complementary" treatments start to blur around the edges and go to war. Science can not explain everything. There are too many "unexplained" occurrences in this delightful world to suggest otherwise. Let this be known here and now: I am not picking and or choosing either side. Remaining politically neutral on this. Controlled factors, uncontrolled factors, as long as it works for that particular individual, who are we to judge? The mind is a powerful motivator. What may work for me could be completely debunked with a scientific study, and "knowing" those scientific results could very well cause complete melt down. Again this is where the medical community is struggling to accept something that can not nor ever will be placed in it's tidy little hole. And this is where the complementary treatments are unable to sufficiently state a solid "truth" in statement. Stephen, Reiki... Some things are explained, but it is not uniformly accepted. Am I making sense? I can hear it, see it, but not explain it suitably!</div>
</blockquote> You are correct Christopher r…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-16:2887274:Comment:332562009-10-16T23:43:21.548ZDustin T. Fox, CMThttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/DustinTFox
You are correct Christopher regarding a weak study but I doubt that they were attempting to explain what massage does in detail to the anatomy but rather what it does to the brain. All the recipients in the study group were on an EEG at the time the massage and music therapy was being done in an effort to measure frontal lobe activity. From my perspective I have learned more about massage therapy research from this group in two days than from some research groups. We do, as a profession, need…
You are correct Christopher regarding a weak study but I doubt that they were attempting to explain what massage does in detail to the anatomy but rather what it does to the brain. All the recipients in the study group were on an EEG at the time the massage and music therapy was being done in an effort to measure frontal lobe activity. From my perspective I have learned more about massage therapy research from this group in two days than from some research groups. We do, as a profession, need to have a body of research that actually studies the effects of the huge variety of techniques being placed in front of the public. It seems that the more "Medically Correct" they sound the more acceptable they are and yet the medical community officially recognizes any benefit from getting a massage. I remain confident that a some point they will realize that we have something to offer that really helps people.<br />
<br />
<cite>Christopher A. Moyer said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?page=1&commentId=2887274%3AComment%3A33239&x=1#2887274Comment33239"><div>Hi Emma.<br/><br/>Dustin is correct that most of the massage performed in the research studies could nominally be described as Swedish. That term, of course, is imprecise.<br/><br/>The best studies do a reasonable job explaining what massage consisted of, e.g., what the amount, duration, speed, and pressure of strokes was to various parts of the anatomy. Some of the weaker studies do not include this information, or at least less of it.<br/><br/>Massage therapy research would benefit from a usable taxonomy of massage therapy types and techniques, but no one has developed one yet. Making one is probably harder to do than it at first sounds. How does one describe all the important details of massage in a couple of paragraphs?<br/><br/>-CM<br/><br/><cite>Dustin T. Fox, CMT said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production#2887274Comment33231"><div>If I remember right Emma, it only mentioned massage and not a specific technique. My guess would be swedish but it is only a guess. In response to Christopher's comments, I intend to revisit those sites that provided me with my internet research material and see if it is still being mentioned. I will post the results.<br/><br/><cite>Emma Torsey CLMT said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?page=1&commentId=2887274%3AComment%3A33181&x=1#2887274Comment33181"><div>What modality was studied?<br/>Thank You,Emma</div>
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</blockquote> Thank you Christopher for the…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-16:2887274:Comment:332482009-10-16T23:32:06.666ZDustin T. Fox, CMThttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/DustinTFox
Thank you Christopher for the response. I obviously need to update my research on the subject and include your findings and others that I discover.<br />
<br />
<cite>Christopher A. Moyer said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?page=1&commentId=2887274%3AComment%3A33241&x=1#2887274Comment33241"><div>"you are quite correct in stating that there are research studies that indicate that massage alone doesn't reduce the level of cortisol…</div>
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Thank you Christopher for the response. I obviously need to update my research on the subject and include your findings and others that I discover.<br />
<br />
<cite>Christopher A. Moyer said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?page=1&commentId=2887274%3AComment%3A33241&x=1#2887274Comment33241"><div>"you are quite correct in stating that there are research studies that indicate that massage alone doesn't reduce the level of cortisol and other studies that indicate that it does to some degree."<br/><br/>That's not exactly what I said. In fact, with few exceptions, the studies I have examined almost all show no reduction effect. The exceptions are not more frequent or larger than we would expect by chance alone. When all the evidence is considered together, it converges quite clearly, in my opinion, on the conclusion that massage does not reduce cortisol. Also, I failed to mention earlier that this is true for single sessions of massage, and for a series of massages performed across days or weeks.<br/><br/>"Of course the only way to tell, i believe, is by drawing blood and calculating the cortisol and endorphic levels that are present."<br/><br/>Correct - data from assessment of cortisol levels in blood, saliva, or urine are what we used to arrive at our conclusions.<br/><br/>-CM</div>
</blockquote> "you are quite correct in sta…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-16:2887274:Comment:332412009-10-16T23:14:04.113ZChristopher A. Moyerhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/ChristopherAMoyer
"you are quite correct in stating that there are research studies that indicate that massage alone doesn't reduce the level of cortisol and other studies that indicate that it does to some degree."<br />
<br />
That's not exactly what I said. In fact, with few exceptions, the studies I have examined almost all show no reduction effect. The exceptions are not more frequent or larger than we would expect by chance alone. When all the evidence is considered together, it converges quite clearly, in my opinion,…
"you are quite correct in stating that there are research studies that indicate that massage alone doesn't reduce the level of cortisol and other studies that indicate that it does to some degree."<br />
<br />
That's not exactly what I said. In fact, with few exceptions, the studies I have examined almost all show no reduction effect. The exceptions are not more frequent or larger than we would expect by chance alone. When all the evidence is considered together, it converges quite clearly, in my opinion, on the conclusion that massage does not reduce cortisol. Also, I failed to mention earlier that this is true for single sessions of massage, and for a series of massages performed across days or weeks.<br />
<br />
"Of course the only way to tell, i believe, is by drawing blood and calculating the cortisol and endorphic levels that are present."<br />
<br />
Correct - data from assessment of cortisol levels in blood, saliva, or urine are what we used to arrive at our conclusions.<br />
<br />
-CM Hi Emma.
Dustin is correct t…tag:massageprofessionals.com,2009-10-16:2887274:Comment:332392009-10-16T23:08:20.198ZChristopher A. Moyerhttps://massageprofessionals.com/profile/ChristopherAMoyer
Hi Emma.<br />
<br />
Dustin is correct that most of the massage performed in the research studies could nominally be described as Swedish. That term, of course, is imprecise.<br />
<br />
The best studies do a reasonable job explaining what massage consisted of, e.g., what the amount, duration, speed, and pressure of strokes was to various parts of the anatomy. Some of the weaker studies do not include this information, or at least less of it.<br />
<br />
Massage therapy research would benefit from a usable taxonomy of massage…
Hi Emma.<br />
<br />
Dustin is correct that most of the massage performed in the research studies could nominally be described as Swedish. That term, of course, is imprecise.<br />
<br />
The best studies do a reasonable job explaining what massage consisted of, e.g., what the amount, duration, speed, and pressure of strokes was to various parts of the anatomy. Some of the weaker studies do not include this information, or at least less of it.<br />
<br />
Massage therapy research would benefit from a usable taxonomy of massage therapy types and techniques, but no one has developed one yet. Making one is probably harder to do than it at first sounds. How does one describe all the important details of massage in a couple of paragraphs?<br />
<br />
-CM<br />
<br />
<cite>Dustin T. Fox, CMT said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production#2887274Comment33231"><div>If I remember right Emma, it only mentioned massage and not a specific technique. My guess would be swedish but it is only a guess. In response to Christopher's comments, I intend to revisit those sites that provided me with my internet research material and see if it is still being mentioned. I will post the results.<br/> <br/>
<cite>Emma Torsey CLMT said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/topics/stress-hormone-production?page=1&commentId=2887274%3AComment%3A33181&x=1#2887274Comment33181"><div>What modality was studied?<br/>Thank You,Emma</div>
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</div>
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