title: Increase of plasma beta-endorphins in connective tissue massage.
abstract: 1. Connective tissue massage produces relief of pain and increases microcirculation in a number of vascular beds. 2. The concentration of plasma beta-endorphins has been measured in 12 volunteers before and 5, 30 and 90 min after a 30-min session of connective tissue massage. 3. There was a moderate mean increase of 16% in beta-endorphin levels from 20.0 to 23.2 pg/0.1 ml (P = 0.025), lasting for about 1 hr with a maximum in the test 5 min after termination of the massage. 4. It is assumed that the release of beta-endorphins is linked with the pain relief and feeling of warmth and well-being associated with the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rogaland Central Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaada
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Torsteinbø
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin