Effects of Anma therapy (traditional Japanese massage) on body and mind
Received 6 September 2007; received in revised form 5 June 2008; accepted 11 June 2008.
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.
aCourse of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Department of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba University of Technology, 4-12-7 Kasuga, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8521, Japan
bGraduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
cAllergy and Immunology, Department of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba University of Technology, 4-12-7 Kasuga, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8521, Japan
ABSTRACT