Asian J Beauty Cosmetol. 2006; 4(1): 225-236.
The Effect of Swedish Massage on the Relaxation of Trapezius Muscle
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to identify the effects of swedish massage on Electromyographic(EMG) activity of the upper trapezius muscle before and after applying massage. The subjects were twenty young adult(12 male, 8 female ) who had not experienced any pain on upper trapezius muscle. The EMG activity of upper trapezius and middle deltoid was recorded by surface electrodes and normalized by MVC EMG values derived from manual muscle test performed for 5 seconds. The algometer was also performed to assess the subjective pain level. The Swedish massage(effleurage and petrissage) was applied with a comfortable pressure for 10 minutes on upper trapezius muscle. The results of study were as follows: 1) The subjective pain level on upper trapezius compared using paired-samples T test was decreased after the massage applications(p<0.05). 2) The normalized EMG activity levels(%MVC EMG) and work loading(%) of upper trapezius was significantly decreased(p<0.05). Consequently, the study showed that the Swedish Massage commonly used in skin care center was effective in reducing muscle tension and pain. Further studies are needed to identify whether there are differences in the effects of many types of massage on muscle pain and muscle tension
Keywords :
The Swedish Massage, Electromyography, Pain, Relaxation
