a) Decreased pain intensity and gate control theory. A
reduction in pain resulting from TTM may be explained
by gate control theory (Mackawan et al., 2007). The
signals (via large diameter nerve fibers) from the touch
or pressure stimulation reaches the brain prior to the
pain signals (via thin diameter nerve fibers) and, thus,
“closes the gate” to the pain stimulus. This is a simile
for the electrical and chemical changes that occur that
lead to less pain (Field et al., 2007).
b) Decreased pain intensity and increased blood flow.
TTM (Eungpinichpong and Kongnaka, 2002) and other
forms of massage therapy have been found to increase