Acute Effects of Percussive Massage Therapy on Thoracolumbar Fascia Thickness and Ultrasound Echo Intensity in Healthy Male Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Percussive massage therapy (PT) has been widely used by therapists and the fitness population to treat myofascial-related conditions. However, there is no evidence to confirm the effects of PT on the fascia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PT on thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) morphology and other related outcomes. Methods: Sixty-six healthy males participated and were randomly allocated into a percussive massage group (PT group) and a control group. The PT group received 15 min of back percussion massage, while the control group rested prone lying in the same environment for 15 min. Thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) thickness and echo intensity, perceived stiffness, lumbar flexibility, and skin temperature were measured in both groups before and immediately after the intervention. Result: TLF thickness and lumbar flexibility did not change when compared in the two groups. However, the echo intensity (left side, difference −3.36, 95% CI −5.1 to −1.6; right side, difference −4.39, 95% CI −6.1 to −2.7) and perceived stiffness (difference, −1.18, 95% CI −1.84 to −0.52) in the TLF region were significantly lower in the PT group than in the control group and were accompanied by increased skin temperature (difference 0.29, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.48). Conclusion: We suggest that a 15 min PT with 30 Hz on the back region could reduce TLF echo intensity and perceived stiffness and increase skin temperature in healthy men individual.

Consumer Perceptions of Home-Based Percussive Massage Therapy for Musculoskeletal Concerns: Inductive Thematic Qualitative Analysis

“…In the strength and conditioning setting, the use of massage guns allowed for increased muscle strength and explosive muscle performance secondary to delayed fatigue while also reducing musculoskeletal pain perception [ 6 , 10 , 28 , 53 ]. Another study using ultrasound diagnostics found that the use of massage guns on the thoracolumbar fascia resulted in a reduction in echo intensity in that region due to the movement of hyaluronic acid toward the fascial rim and thus improved lubrication and gliding between fascial layers [ 54 ]. While these studies have demonstrated the possible effects of percussive massage therapy and postulated potential reasons for these effects, they were unable to conclusively define the physiologic mechanisms.…”

Effects of Myofascial Release Techniques on Joint Range of Motion of Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The myofascial release intervention performed on athletes ages 18 and under resulted in greater development of their ROM (ES = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.47 to 1.72, p = 0.02) compared to those above the age of 18 (ES = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.77, p = 0.02). These findings can be attributed to various factors, including the elastic properties of soft tissue, the turnover and quantity of collagen cells, fascial adhesions, and the plasticity of the nervous system [76][77][78][79]. These factors are generally more favorable in younger individuals.…”

The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review

“…Other physiological responses, partly associated with the vascular process, are the mechanical effects. It is expected that vibration and pressure may reduce muscle tension and alter the connective tissues viscoelasticity, thixotropic properties and overall mobility by an increase in fluids and temperature in the intervened area; as well, the mechanical stress could break and remobilize the scar tissue [ 26 , 43 , 51 , 72 ]. Between pressure and vibration, it seems that, in the massage gun devices, the vibration characteristic may have a more important role than pressure because the pressure applied by the device might not be enough to alter the tissues’ states, as happened with other techniques, such as foam rollers [ 38 ].…”

“…Again, it seems that the massage gun frequency used may have an important role when trying to achieve these goals. For example, at 30 Hz, the frequency does not seem to be sufficient to alter the fascia thickness, although an increase in temperature and a decrease in the echointensity and perceived stiffness were found [ 72 ]. However, these data were from healthy individuals, so the ceiling effect could influence the results.…”