Massage is used for many health reasons, but little is known about how it works at a biological, physiological, metabolic, energetic level ... etc.
The two interventions lasted 45 minutes and were performed by a licensed professional massage therapist. Blood samples taken before and after the sessions were used to determine the blood levels of certain hormones and circulating lymphocytes (white blood cells).
The researchers found that in participants who received Swedish massage or chiromassage, there was a significant decrease in the arginine-vasopressin hormone (which plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure and water retention) in comparison with Those who were treated with the "touch of light."