November 2, 2010 - A single session of Swedish massage would have measurable biological effects on the immune system and stress. This has been observed that American scientists were surprised to see such significant changes in biological markers measured.
They conducted a pilot test 1 in 53 adults aged 18 to 45 years who received a 45-minute Swedish massage or massage-like "light touch" of a similar length (control group).
According to preliminary results, the classic Swedish massage reduces significantly the blood levels of vasopressin, a hormone released under stress and increases blood pressure.
Blood levels and salivary cortisol, a hormone associated with stress and inflammation were also reduced more in subjects in the active group than in the control group, although the difference was relatively modest.
However, Swedish massage had no effect on the rate of oxytocin, a hormone linked to the soothing sensation.
The authors also report that the blood of participants who received the Swedish massage contained more lymphocytes than control group. The lymphocytes are active cells of the immune system. This increase in immune cells circulating in the blood was modest, but significant and consistent in all subjects in the active group when compared to the control group.
The blood of those who received the Swedish massage was also consistently richer in cytokines, small proteins that play a role in regulating the immune response.
The effect of Swedish massage on immune function may explain its positive effects in cases of inflammatory diseases such as asthma. The
researchers combine these effects neuroendocrinological Swedish massage to those already observed in meditators and for those who practice yoga.
Pierre Lefrançois - PasseportSanté.net
1. Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C. A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Single Session of Swedish Massage are Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Immune Function in Normal Individuals . J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Sep 1.
They conducted a pilot test 1 in 53 adults aged 18 to 45 years who received a 45-minute Swedish massage or massage-like "light touch" of a similar length (control group).
According to preliminary results, the classic Swedish massage reduces significantly the blood levels of vasopressin, a hormone released under stress and increases blood pressure.
Blood levels and salivary cortisol, a hormone associated with stress and inflammation were also reduced more in subjects in the active group than in the control group, although the difference was relatively modest.
However, Swedish massage had no effect on the rate of oxytocin, a hormone linked to the soothing sensation.
The authors also report that the blood of participants who received the Swedish massage contained more lymphocytes than control group. The lymphocytes are active cells of the immune system. This increase in immune cells circulating in the blood was modest, but significant and consistent in all subjects in the active group when compared to the control group.
The blood of those who received the Swedish massage was also consistently richer in cytokines, small proteins that play a role in regulating the immune response.
The effect of Swedish massage on immune function may explain its positive effects in cases of inflammatory diseases such as asthma. The
researchers combine these effects neuroendocrinological Swedish massage to those already observed in meditators and for those who practice yoga.
Pierre Lefrançois - PasseportSanté.net
1. Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C. A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Single Session of Swedish Massage are Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Immune Function in Normal Individuals . J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Sep 1.
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