29/09/2025
How massage reduces pain — the main mechanisms
1. Sensory gating (Gate Control Theory): Gentle pressure and stroking activate large-diameter Aβ mechanoreceptors which inhibit transmission of nociceptive signals at the spinal cord level — i.e., touch “closes the gate” on pain signals.
2. Descending pain inhibition / endogenous opioids: Manual therapy and massage can activate descending inhibitory pathways (periaqueductal gray → brainstem → spinal cord) and release endorphins/endorphin-like mediators that reduce pain perception.
3. Local tissue effects (circulation, lymph, muscle tone): Massage increases local blood and lymph flow, helps clear metabolic waste (e.g., CK after exercise in horses), reduces muscle hypertonicity, and restores mobility of fascia and soft tissues — all of which can lower peripheral nociceptive input.
4. Neurophysiological and stress modulation: Massage reduces physiological stress markers (cortisol), lowers sympathetic arousal, and reduces anxiety/defensive behaviours — these systemic effects lower pain sensitivity and improve coping.
Bottom line for horses: massage is widely used and plausibly helpful for reducing muscle-related pain, stress, and aiding recovery after exercise.
• Vigotsky AD et al., “The Role of Descending Modulation in Manual Therapy” — mechanisms review.
• Atalaia T. et al., “Equine Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review” (2021) — overview of evidence in horses.
• Haussler & others, “Review of Manual Therapy Techniques in Equine Practice” (2009) — clinical background & evidence.
• Pilat B., “Equine Massage Following Intense Work: Effects On Plasma CK” (2020 student study) — an example physiological study.
• Kumar S. et al., “The effectiveness of massage therapy for the treatment of pain” (2013 review) and more recent evidence-mapping (JAMA Network/Open 2024) for up-to-date systematic review coverage.
https://koperequine.com/why-post-operative-massage-for-equines-can-work-wonders/