Effects of Prophylactic Massage Therapy on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Effects of Prophylactic Massage Therapy on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Therapeutic massage has been thought to reduce anxiety and increase relaxation in human patients.This study is meant to determine the immediate effects of therapeutic massage on pain tolerance and threshold.

Patients participated in two trials of a pain stimulus test that measured pain threshold and pain tolerance. One trial was titled "Massage Protocol" and the other, "No-Massage Protocol." During the "Massage Protocol," they received a therapeutic massage to the forearm before participating in the pain stimulus test. During the "No-Massage Protocol" they did not receive a massage before participating in the pain stimulus test. Their pain threshold and tolerance for both trials were compared against each other. Each patient was randomized as to which protocol they participated in first.

Inclusion Criteria:

-generally healthy

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnant
• smoker
• cold allergy
• Raynaud's disease
• cryophobia