Effects of Anma therapy (traditional Japanese massage) on body and mind

Summary 

Introduction

Anma therapy is a traditional style of Japanese massage, one of touch and manual therapies, and one of the most popular CAM therapies in Japan. It was brought from China in the 6th century and, while based on the theory of Chinese medicine, it developed in Japan according to Japanese preference and has recently come to include theories of Western medicine. The purpose of this study was to clarify the physical and psychological effects of Anma therapy.

Participants and methods

Fifteen healthy female volunteers in their fifth decade, with chronic muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulder, received two interventions: 40-min Anma therapy and 40-min rest intervention. The design was cross-over design. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was started on Anma therapy from the first day followed by the rest intervention after a 3-day interval. The order of the Anma therapy and the rest intervention reversed for Group B. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulder, state anxiety score, and salivary cortisol concentration levels and secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) were measured pre- and post-interventions.

Results

Anma therapy significantly reduced VAS scores and state anxiety scores. S-IgA concentration levels increased significantly across both groups.

Conclusion

Anma therapy reduced muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulder and anxiety levels in this pilot study of 50-year-old females.

KEYWORDS: Anma therapy, Traditional Japanese massage, Muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulder, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), State anxiety, Salivary cortisol, Secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA)