The effect of massage on bone metabolism in adults has
scarcely been explored. However, a number of studies have
investigated the influence of massage on the alteration of
bone growth, particularly during the postnatal period. For
example, massage in the early postnatal period was found
to promote lean mass and bone growth in experimental
animals [4]. In humans, when combined with physical
activity, massage during the peri-neonatal period improves
bone formation without changes in bone resorption [12].
Our findings are in keeping with those in infants, where
massage therapy results in an increase in serum P1NP but
not CTX.