The Influence of Back Massage on Autonomic Functions

Abstract

A study of the effects of a conventional back massage on the autonomic activities of the body is described. Ten normal somatotyped female college students underwent three massage and three control periods. Measurements of arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, galvanic skin response, skin temperature, body temperature, and pupil diameter were made before, during, and after each period. Subjective observations were also collected. The changes in each of the parameters between massage and control periods were hypothesized to be the consequence of the massage’s effects on the autonomic nervous system. The data were evaluated (and compared with changes expected from the known behavior of the autonomic nervous system) to test the consistency and validity of this hypothesis. The results indicate an increase in sympathetic activity in most of the indexes.