Massage therapy: understanding the mechanisms of action on blood pressure. A scoping review

• Massage therapy (MT) has shown promise as an adjunctive treatment for prehypertension and hypertension.
• MT stimulates several central and peripheral mechanisms across physiological and psychological domains.
• Future rigorous methodological study is needed to clarify the precise mechanisms by which MT assists in the management of high blood pressure.

Massage therapy (MT) has shown potential in reducing blood pressure (BP); however, the psychophysiological pathways and structures involved in this outcome are unclear. The aims of this scoping review were twofold. (1) To summarize the current knowledge of the mechanisms of action of MT on BP. (2) To highlight the research gaps and challenges that researchers must overcome to further elucidate how MT attenuates BP. A scoping review was conducted to examine the evidence regarding the mechanisms of action of MT on BP. This review included the thematic analysis of 27 publications that considered the influence of MT on BP. Based on this analysis, six potential BP mediating pathways were identified Current theories suggest that MT exerts sympatholytic effects through physiologic and psychological mechanisms, improves hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenocortical axis function, and increases in blood flow, which, in turn, may improve endothelial function. Future study is needed, using more scientifically rigorous methodology, to fully elucidate the mechanism of action of MT.

Representative connections among massage therapy and psychophysiologic effects. This figure suggests that massage exerts influence across multiple physical and psychological domains, which, in turn, may be responsible for blood pressure reductions. This figure is not meant to be all inclusive.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (232 K)Download as PowerPoint slide