The effect of using roller massager on cortical and spinal excitability

Myofascial pain syndrome can lead to chronic pain. With fatigue or trauma, muscle spindle reflexes activate spinal motoneurones causing them to fire constantly leading to spasm. These reflex signals can also be transmitted to the brain as well. It could be hypothesized that if massage therapy (roller massager included) could regulate cortical and spinal motoneurone excitability, it may also decrease unnecessary reflex activity. Previous investigations from our lab demonstrated that applying massage over the musculotendinous junction could diminish the motoneurone excitability. This procedure may help to decrease pain. The aim of our study is to assess the effect of using roller massager on spinal and cortical motoneurone and muscle excitability. Hopefully by identifying precisely how the tool works we can suggest the most effective application and procedures.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Behm

Student:

Partner:

ProActive Physiotherapy Inc;Performance Health

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: