The Duration of Effects of Massage in Healthy Participants

The Duration of Effects of Massage in Healthy Participants

Massage is a common rehabilitation treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Prior studies indicate massage applied with a deep pressure that induces a moderate amount of pain produces a lessening of pain sensitivity compared to light touch, pain free massage. The investigators now aim to investigate how long pain sensitivity changes last after 4 minutes of moderately painful massage and determine factors that help predict who displays a lessening of pain sensitivity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pain-free

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English speaking
• Systemic medical condition known to affect sensation (i.e. uncontrolled diabetes)
• Regular use of prescription pain medication
• Current or history of chronic pain condition
• Currently taking a blood-thinning medication
• Any blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia
• Contraindications to the application of a blood pressure cuff to the arm, such as: lymphedema or arterial/venous lines
• Contraindications to elevating the arm above the head or exercising the arm with a light weight, such as a recent surgery or fracture
• Investigator is unable to locate myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius during testing session