Objective To observe whether massage can promote growth and development of pups with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy （HIE） in order to seek effective means of intervention of HIE. Methods The newborn SD rats were randomly divided into control group（n=12）， model group（n=13） and the massage group（n=12）. HIE model with the pups after birth for three days （3-day-postnatal， P3） was prepared using total unilateral carotid artery ligation combined hypoxia. The pups in the the massage group undergone spinal massage intervention. The levels of weight and the time of opening eyes and ears open of all newborn rats were evaluated， respectively. The gait and negative chemotaxis experiments were done at the same time. Results Compared with the control group， the levels of weight of newborn rats in the model group were significantly increased （P<0. 01， P<0. 05）， whereas this phenomenon was reversed by spinal massage（P<0.01， P<0.05）. The time of opening eyes， ears open and turning around and reach the upper rim end of the board of newborn rats in the model group were significantly longer than the control group （P<0.01， P<0.05）， which was reversed by massage （P<0.01， P<0.05）. Conclusion Spinal massage can promote growth and development of pups with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy，it may be one of the effective means of intorvention in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.