Therapeutic Massage

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What is Therapeutic Massage?

Therapeutic massage is an individualized approach to massage therapy that draws from different techniques based on your needs, preferences, and goals. Rather than following a single routine or style, your therapist may adapt the pressure, techniques, areas addressed, and overall approach throughout your session.

Therapeutic massage does not necessarily mean deep pressure. “Deep tissue” is often used to describe a style of massage, but pressure and technique are not the same thing. Deeper pressure is not always better or more effective. Therapeutic work may be light, moderate, or deeper depending on the tissues being addressed, your comfort, and what is appropriate for your body.

At Journey to Wellness, a therapeutic massage may incorporate Swedish massage, myofascial techniques, neuromuscular and trigger point work, stretching and mobility techniques, acupressure, shiatsu, gua sha, kinesiology taping, or other therapeutic approaches when appropriate.

Your session does not need to fit neatly into one technique. Your practitioner will work with you to determine an approach based on your health history, assessment, preferences, and goals for care.

What Can I Expect with Therapeutic Massage?

Before your session, your practitioner will review your health history and talk with you about your concerns, goals, areas you would like addressed or avoided, and pressure preferences. Depending on your needs, your practitioner may also perform a brief movement, postural, or orthopedic assessment to help guide your session.

For table-based therapeutic massage, you will undress to your level of comfort and be appropriately draped throughout the session. Only the area currently being treated will be uncovered. Some techniques may also be performed through clothing or with the patient fully clothed when appropriate.

Communication is encouraged throughout your session. Pressure, positioning and techniques can be adjusted at any time based on your comfort and how your body responds.

Responses to massage vary. You may notice changes in muscle tension, movement, relaxation, breathing, temperature or overall body awareness during or after your session. Temporary tenderness or soreness can sometimes occur following more focused work. If you have questions or concerns about how you respond to treatment, please let your practitioner know.

Should I Receive Therapeutic Massage?

People seek therapeutic massage for many different reasons, including muscle tension and discomfort, stress, headaches, mobility concerns, recovery from physical activity or injury, relaxation, and general wellness. Research has examined massage therapy for a variety of musculoskeletal, pain-related, stress-related and other health concerns, although the strength of evidence varies depending on the condition and type of massage studied.

Therapeutic massage may be particularly appropriate when you would like your session tailored to a specific concern or when you prefer an approach that can change from visit to visit as your needs change.

Massage is generally well tolerated, but treatment may need to be modified or postponed depending on your health history, medications, recent injuries or procedures, skin conditions, illness, pregnancy, or other medical considerations. Certain areas or techniques may also need to be avoided. Please share relevant health information with your practitioner so your session can be adapted appropriately. In some circumstances, medical clearance may be recommended before receiving massage.

What Does the Research Say?

Massage therapy has been studied for a wide range of musculoskeletal, pain-related, stress-related, and other health concerns. Research suggests that massage may provide benefit for some types of pain and may also support outcomes such as relaxation and well-being, but the strength and consistency of the evidence vary considerably depending on the condition, massage technique, treatment frequency, and comparison being studied.

Although a large number of massage studies have been published, the overall evidence base has limitations. Studies often use different massage techniques and treatment schedules, include relatively small numbers of participants, and compare massage with very different types of control or active treatment. This makes it difficult to generalize the results of one massage study to every type of massage or every patient.

Current evidence is therefore better understood as supporting massage as one potential component of care for certain concerns rather than demonstrating that massage is universally effective or superior to other treatment options.

Research and Evidence on Therapeutic Massage:

Physical Health

Manage low-back pain

  1. Cherkin, D.C., Sherman, K.J., Kahn, J., Wellman, R., Cook, A.J., Johnson, E., Erro, J., Delaney, K., Deyo, R.A. A comparison of the effects of 2 types of massage and usual care on chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med, 2011;155(1):1-9.

  2. Field, T., Hernandes-Reif, M., Diego, M., Fraser, M. Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy. JBMT, 2007; 11(2) 141-145.

  3. Hsieh, L.L., Kuo, C.H., Lee, L.H., Yen, A.M., Chien, K.L., Chen, T.H. Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 2006; 332(7543):696-700.

  4. Walach, H., Güthlin, C., König, M. Efficacy of massage therapy in chronic pain: a pragmatic randomized trial.  J Altern Complement Med, 2003; 9(6):837-46.

  5. Brady, L.H., Henry, K., Luth, J.F. 2nd, Casper-Bruett, K.K. The effects of shiatsu on lower back pain, J Holist Nurs, 2001; 19(1):57-70.

  6. Cherkin, D.C., Eisenberg, D., Sherman, K.J., Barlow, W., Kaptchuk, T.J., Street, J., Deyo, R.A. Randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for chronic low back pain. Arch Intern Med, 2001; 161(8):1081-8.

  7. Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, H. Lower back pain is reduced and range of motion increased after massage therapy. Int J Neurosci, 2001; 106(3-4):131-45.

  8. Preyde, M. Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low-back pain: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ, 2000; 162(13):1815-20.

Relieve tension headaches

  1.  Moraska, A., Chandler, C. Changes in Psychological Parameters in Patients with Tension-type Headache Following Massage Therapy: A Pilot Study. J Man Manip Ther, 2009;17(2):86-94.

  2. Toro-Velasco, C., Arroyo-Morales, M., Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., Cleland, J.A., Barrero-Hernández, F.J. Short-term effects of manual therapy on heart rate variability, mood state, and pressure pain sensitivity in patients with chronic tension-type headache: a pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2009; 32(7):527-35.

  3. von Stülpnagel, C., Reilich, P., Straube, A., Schäfer, J., Blaschek, A., Lee, S.H., Müller-Felber, W., Henschel, V., Mansmann, U., Heinen, F. Myofascial trigger points in children with tension-type headache: a new diagnostic and therapeutic option. J Child Neurol, 2009; 24(4):406-9.

  4. Moraska, A., Chandler, C. Changes in Clinical Parameters in Patients with Tension-type Headache Following Massage Therapy: A Pilot Study. J Man Manip Ther, 2008;16(2):106-12.

  5. Foster, K.A., Liskin, J., Cen, S., Abbott, A., Armisen, V., Globe, D., Knox, L., Mitchell, M., Shtir, C., Azen, S.The Trager approach in the treatment of chronic headache: a pilot study. Altern Ther Health Med, 2004; 10(5):40-6.

  6. Quinn, C., Chandler, C., Moraska, A. Massage therapy and frequency of chronic tension headaches. Am J Public Health, 2002; 92(10):1657-61.

  7. Puustjärvi, K., Airaksinen, O., Pöntinen, P.J. The effects of massage in patients with chronic tension headache. Acupunct Electrother Res, 1990; 15(2):159-62.

Help fibromyalgia pain

  1. Castro-Sánchez, A.M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G.A., Granero-Molina, J., Aguilera-Manrique, G., Quesada-Rubio, J.M., Moreno-Lorenzo, C. Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011; 561753.

  2. Casanueva-Fernández, B., Llorca, J., Rubió, J.B., Rodero-Fernández, B., González-Gay, M.A. Efficacy of a multidisciplinary treatment program in patients with severe fibromyalgia. Rheumatol Int. 2011.

  3. Lund, I., Lundeberg, T., Carleson, J., Sönnerfors, H., Uhrlin, B., Svensson, E. Corticotropin releasing factor in urine--a possible biochemical marker of fibromyalgia. Responses to massage and guided relaxation. Neurosci Lett, 2006; 403(1-2):166-71.

  4. Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C. Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. Int J Neurosci. 2005; 115(10):1397-413.

  5. Lemstra, M., Olszynski, W.P. The effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. Clin J Pain, 2005; 21(2):166-74.

  6. Melillo, N., Corrado, A., Quarta, L., D'Onofrio, F., Trotta, A., Cantatore, F.P. [Fibromyalgic syndrome: new perspectives in rehabilitation and management. A review] Minerva Med, 2005; 96(6):417-23.

  7. Wahner-Roedler, D.L., Elkin, P.L., Vincent, A., Thompson, J.M., Oh, T.H., Loehrer, L.L., Mandrekar, J.N., Bauer, B.A. Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies by patients referred to a fibromyalgia treatment program at a tertiary care center. Mayo Clin Proc, 2005; 80(1):55-60.

  8. Field, T., Diego, M., Cullen, C., Hernandez-Reif, M., Sunshine, W., Douglas, S. Fibromyalgia pain and substance P decrease and sleep improves after massage therapy. J Clin Rheumatol, 2002; 8(2):72-6.

  9. Barbour, C. Use of complementary and alternative treatments by individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome. J Am Acad Nurse Pract., 2000; 12(8):311-6.

  10. Brattberg, G. Connective tissue massage in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Eur J Pain, 1999; 3(3):235-244.

Relieve postoperative pain

  1. Mitchinson AR, Kim HM, Rosenberg JM, Geisser M, Kirsh M, Cikrit D, Hinshaw DB. Acute postoperative pain management using massage as an adjuvant therapy: a randomized trial. Arch Surg. 2007 Dec;142(12):1158-67; discussion 1167. 

  2. Mehling WE, Jacobs B, Acree M, Wilson L, Bostrom A, West J, Acquah J, Burns B, Chapman J, Hecht FM. Symptom management with massage and acupuncture in postoperative cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Mar; 33(3):258-66.

  3. Kshettry VR, Carole LF, Henly SJ, Sendelbach S, Kummer B. Complementary alternative medical therapies for heart surgery patients: feasibility, safety, and impact. Ann Thorac Surg. 2006 Jan; 81(1):201.

  4. Chen HM, Chang FY, Hsu CT. Effect of acupressure on nausea, vomiting, anxiety and pain among post-cesarean section women in Taiwan. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2005 Aug; 21(8):341-50.

  5. Wang HL, Keck JF. Foot and hand massage as an intervention for postoperative pain. Pain Manag Nurs. 2004 Jun; 5(2):59-65.

  6. Piotrowski MM, Paterson C, Mitchinson A, Kim HM, Kirsh M, Hinshaw DB. Massage as adjuvant therapy in the management of acute postoperative pain: a preliminary study in men. J Am Coll Surg. 2003 Dec; 197(6):1037-46.

  7. Taylor AG, Galper DI, Taylor P, Rice LW, Andersen W, Irvin W, Wang XQ, Harrell FE Jr. Effects of adjunctive Swedish massage and vibration therapy on short-term postoperative outcomes: a randomized, controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Feb; 9(1):77-89.

  8. Le Blanc-Louvry I, Costaglioli B, Boulon C, Leroi AM, Ducrotte P. Does mechanical massage of the abdominal wall after colectomy reduce postoperative pain and shorten the duration of ileus? Results of a randomized study. J Gastrointest Surg. 2002 Jan-Feb; 6(1):43-9.

  9. Hattan J, King L, Griffiths P. The impact of foot massage and guided relaxation following cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs. 2002 Jan; 37(2):199-207.

  10. Hulme J, Waterman H, Hillier VF. The effect of foot massage on patients' perception of care following laparoscopic sterilization as day case patients. J Adv Nurs. 1999 Aug; 30(2):460-8.

  11. Nixon M, Teschendorff J, Finney J, Karnilowicz W. Expanding the nursing repertoire: the effect of massage on post-operative pain. Aust J Adv Nurs. 1997 Mar-May; 14(3):21-6.

Mental Health

Relieve stress

  1. Engen, D.J., Wahner-Roedler, D.L., Vincent, A., Chon, T.Y., Cha, S.S., Luedtke, C.A., Loehrer, L.L., Dion, L.J., Rodgers, N.J., Bauer, B.A. Feasibility and effect of chair massage offered to nurses during work hours on stress-related symptoms: a pilot study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2012; 18(4):212-5.

  2. Listing, M., Krohn, M., Liezmann, C., Kim, I., Reisshauer, A., Peters, E., Klapp, B.F., Rauchfuss, M. The efficacy of classical massage on stress perception and cortisol following primary treatment of breast cancer. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010; 13(2):165-73.

  3. Brennan, M.K. & DeBate, R.The effect of chair massage on stress perception of hospital bedside nurses. Massage Therapy Journal 2004; 43, (1), 76-86.

  4. Delaney, J.P., Leong, K.S., Watkins, A., & Brodie, D. The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2002; 37, 364-71.

  5. Boone, T., Tanner, M., & Radosevich, A. Effects of a 10-minute back rub on cardiovascular responses in healthy subjects. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2001; 29, 47-52.

  6. MacDonald, G. Massage offers respite for primary care givers. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, 1998; Jan/Feb, 43-47.

  7. Field, T., Quintino, O., Henteleff, T., Wells-Keife, L., & Delvecchio-Feinberg, G. Job stress reduction therapies. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 1997; 3, (4), 54-56.

  8. Cady, S. H., & Jones, G. E. Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 1997; 84, 157-158.

  9. Field, T., Ironson, G., Scafidi, F., Nawrocki, T., Goncalves, A., Burman, I., Pickens, J., Fox, N., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations.1996.

Reduce anxiety

  1. Chen, W.L., Liu, G.J., Yeh, S.H., Chiang, M.C., Fu, M.Y., Hsieh, Y.K.Effect of Back Massage Intervention on Anxiety, Comfort, and Physiologic Responses in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure. J Altern Complement Med. 2012.

  2. Mortazavi, S.H., Khaki, S., Moradi, R., Heidari, K., Vasegh Rahimparvar, S.F. Effects of massage therapy and presence of attendant on pain, anxiety and satisfaction during labor. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2012; 286(1):19-23.

  3. Castro-Sánchez, A.M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G.A., Granero-Molina, J., Aguilera-Manrique, G., Quesada-Rubio, J.M., Moreno-Lorenzo, C. Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011:561753

  4. Black, S., Jacques, K., Webber, A., Spurr, K., Carey, E., Hebb, A., Gilbert, R. Chair massage for treating anxiety in patients withdrawing from psychoactive drugs. J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Sep;16(9):979-87.

  5. Parlak Gürol, A., Polat, S., Akçay, M.N. Itching, pain, and anxiety levels are reduced with massage therapy in burned adolescents. J Burn Care Res. 2010 May-Jun;31(3):429-32.

  6. Bauer, B.A., Cutshall, S.M., Wentworth, L.J., Engen, D., Messner, P.K., Wood, C.M., Brekke, K.M., Kelly, R.F., Sundt, T.M. 3rd.Effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension after cardiac surgery: a randomized study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 May;16(2):70-5.

  7.  Wentworth, L.J., Briese, L.J., Timimi, F.K., Sanvick, C.L., Bartel, D.C., Cutshall, S.M., Tilbury, R.T., Lennon, R., Bauer, B.A. Massage therapy reduces tension, anxiety, and pain in patients awaiting invasive cardiovascular procedures.  Prog Cardiovasc Nurs. 2009; 24(4):155-61.

  8. Jane, S.W., Wilkie, D.J., Gallucci, B.B., Beaton, R.D., Huang, H.Y. Effects of a Full-Body Massage on Pain Intensity, Anxiety, and Physiological Relaxation in Taiwanese Patients with Metastatic Bone Pain: A Pilot Study. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009; 37(4):754-63.

  9. Garner, B., Phillips, L.J., Schmidt, H.M., Markulev, C., O'Connor, J., Wood, S.J., Berger, G.E., Burnett, P., McGorry, P.D. Pilot study evaluating the effect of massage therapy on stress, anxiety and aggression in a young adult psychiatric inpatient unit. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2008; 42(5):414-22.

  10. Billhult, A., Määttä, S. Light pressure massage for patients with severe anxiety. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2008; 15(2):96-101.

  11. Fernández-Pérez, A.M., Peralta-Ramírez, M.I., Pilat, A., Villaverde, C. Effects of myofascial induction techniques on physiologic and psychologic parameters: a randomized controlled trial.  J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(7):807-11.

  12. Meeks, T.W., Wetherell, J.L., Irwin, M.R., Redwine, L.S., Jeste, D.V. Complementary and alternative treatments for late-life depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance: a review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2007 Oct; 68(10):1461-71.

  13. Campeau, M.P., Gaboriault, R., Drapeau, M., Van Nguyen, T., Roy, I., Fortin, B., Marois, M., Nguyen-Tân, P.F.  Impact of massage therapy on anxiety levels in patients undergoing radiation therapy: randomized controlled trial.  J Soc Integr Oncol. 2007; 5(4):133-8.

  14. Cooke, M., Holzhauser, K., Jones, M., Davis, C., Finucane, J. The effect of aromatherapy massage with music on the stress and anxiety levels of emergency nurses: comparison between summer and winter. J Clin Nurs, 2007; 16(9):1695-703.

  15. Imanishi, J., Kuriyama, H., Shigemori, I., Watanabe, S., Aihara, Y., Kita, M., Sawai, K., Nakajima, H., Yoshida, N., Kunisawa, M., Kawase, M., Fukui, K. Anxiolytic Effect of Aromatherapy Massage in Patients with Breast Cancer. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007.

  16. Lafferty, W.E., Downey, L., McCarty, R.L., Standish, L.J., Patrick, D.L. Evaluating CAM treatment at the end of life: a review of clinical trials for massage and meditation. Complementary Therapeutic Medicine. 2006; Jun14, (2):100-12.

  17. Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C. Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. Int J Neurosci. 2005; 115(10):1397-413.

  18. Strine, T.W., Chapman, D.P., Kobau, R., Balluz, L. Associations of self-reported anxiety symptoms with health-related quality of life and health behaviors. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 2005; 40(8):680.

  19. Moyer, C.A., Rounds, J., , J.W. A Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy Research. APA Psychological Bulletin. 2004; 130(1): 3–18.Oh, H.J., Park, J.S. Effects of hand massage and hand holding on the anxiety in patients with local infiltration anesthesia, Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2004; 34(6):924-33.

  20. Mok, E., Woo, C.P. The effects of slow-stroke back massage on anxiety and shoulder pain in elderly stroke patients.  Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 2004; 10(4):209-16.

  21. Goffaux-Dogniez, C., Vanfraechem-Raway, R., Verbanck, P.  Appraisal of treatment of the trigger points associated with relaxation to treat chronic headache in the adult. Relationship with anxiety and stress adaptation strategies.   Encephale. 2003; 29(5):377-90.

  22. Smith, M., Reeder, F., Daniel, L., Baramee, J., Hagman, J. Outcomes of touch therapies during bone marrow transplant. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2003; 9(1) 40-49.

  23. Kim, M.Effects of hand massage on anxiety in cataract surgery using local anesthesia Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. 2001; 27(6): 884-890.

  24. Field, T., Ironson, G., Scafidi, F., Nawrocki, T., Goncalves, A., Burman, I., Pickens, J., Fox, N., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C. Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations.  Int J Neurosci. 1996; 86(3-4):197-205.

  25. Field, T., Morrow, C., Valdeon, C., Larson, S., Kuhn, C., Schanberg, S. Massage reduces anxiety in child and adolescent psychiatric patients.  J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1992; 31(1):125-31.

Ease symptoms of depression

  1. Hou, W.H., Chiang, P.T., Hsu, T.Y., Chiu, S.Y., Yen, Y.C. Treatment effects of massage therapy in depressed people: a meta-analysis. J Clin Psychiatry. 2010; 71(7):894-901.

  2. Field, T., Deed, O., Diego, M., Gualer, A., Sullivan, S., Wilson, D. & Nearing, G. Benefits of combining massage therapy with group interpersonal psychotherapy in prenatally depressed women. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2009; 13(4):297-303.

  3. Moraska, A., Chandler, C. Changes in Psychological Parameters in Patients with Tension-type Headache Following Massage Therapy: A Pilot Study. J Man Manip Ther. 2009; 17(2):86-94.

  4. Chang, S.Y. Effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 2008; 38(4):493-502.

  5. Field, T., Figueiredo, B., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., Deeds, O., Ascencio, A. Massage therapy reduces pain in pregnant women, alleviates prenatal depression in both parents and improves their relationships. J Bodyw Mov Ther, 2008; 12(2):146-50.

  6. Hatayama, T., Kitamura, S., Tamura, C., Nagano, M., Ohnuki, K. The facial massage reduced anxiety and negative mood status, and increased sympathetic nervous activity. Biomed Res, 2008; 29(6):317-20.

  7. Moyer, C.A., Rounds, J., Hannum, J.W. A Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy Research. APA Psychological Bulletin. 2004; 130(1): 3–18.

  8. Field, T.M., Sunshine, W., Hernandez-Reif, M., Quintino, O., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., & Burman, I. Massage therapy effects on depression and somatic symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 1997; 3, 43-51.

  9. Field, T., Grizzle, N., Scafidi, F., & Schanberg, S. Massage and relaxation therapies' effects on depressed adolescent mothers. Adolescence, 1996; 31(124):903-11.

Wellness

Enhance exercise performance

  1. Arroyo-Morales, M., Olea, N., Martínez, M.M., Hidalgo-Lozano, A., Ruiz-Rodríguez, C., Díaz-Rodríguez, L. Psychophysiological effects of massage-myofascial release after exercise: a randomized sham-control study. J Altern Complement Med, 2008; 14(10):1223-9.

  2. Arroyo-Morales, M., Olea, N., Martinez, M., Moreno-Lorenzo, C., Díaz-Rodríguez, L., Hidalgo-Lozano, A. Effects of myofascial release after high-intensity exercise: a randomized clinical trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2008; 31(3):217-23.

  3. Ogai, R., Yamane, M., Matsumoto, T., Kosaka, M. Effects of petrissage massage on fatigue and exercise performance following intensive cycle pedalling.[sic] Br J Sports Med, 2008; 42(10):834-8.

  4. Bakowski, P., Musielak, B., Sip, P., Bieganski, G. Effects of massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness. Chir Narzadow Ruchu Ortop Pol, 2008; 73(4):261-5.

  5. Frey Law, L.A., Evans, S., Knudtson, J., Nus, S., Scholl, K., Sluka, K.A. Massage reduces pain perception and hyperalgesia in experimental muscle pain: a randomized, controlled trial. J Pain, 2008; 9(8):714-21.

  6. Nichols, A.W., Harrigan, R. Complementary and alternative medicine usage by intercollegiate athletes. Clin J Sport Med, 2006; 16(3):232-7.

  7. Zainuddin, Z., Newton, M., Sacco, P., Nosaka, K. Effects of Massage on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness, Swelling, and Recovery of Muscle Function. J Athl Train, 2005;40(3): 174–180.

  8. Brooks, C.P., Woodruff, L.D., Wright, L.L., Donatelli, R. The immediate effects of manual massage on power-grip performance after maximal exercise in healthy adults. J Altern Complement Med, 2005; 11(6):1093-101.

  9. Galloway, S.D., Watt, J.M. Massage provision by physiotherapists at major athletics events between 1987 and 1998. Br J Sports Med, 2004; 38(2):235-6; discussion 237.

  10. Nyland, J., Nolan, M.F. Therapeutic modality: rehabilitation of the injured athlete. Clin Sports Med, 2004; 23(2):299-313, vii. Review.

  11. Hilbert, J.E., Sforzo, G.A., Swensen, T. The effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness. Br J Sports Med, 2003; 37(1):72-5.

  12. Farr, T., Nottle, C., Nosaka, K., Sacco, P. The effects of therapeutic massage on delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle function following downhill walking. J Sci Med Sport, 2002; 5(4):297-306.

  13. Monedero, J., Donne, B. Effect of recovery interventions on lactate removal and subsequent performance. Int J Sports Med, 2000; 21(8):593-7.

  14. Smith, L.L., Keating, M.N., Holbert, D., Spratt, D.J., McCammon, M.R., Smith, S.S., Israel, R.G. The effects of athletic massage on delayed onset muscle soreness, creatine kinase, and neutrophil count: a preliminary report. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 1994; 19(2):93-9.

  15. Crosman, L.J., Chateauvert, S.R., Weisberg, J. The effects of massage to the hamstring muscle group on range of motion. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 1984; 6(3):168-72.

Improve cardiovascular health

  1. M, Givi. Durability of Effect of Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure. International Journal of Preventative Medicine. 2013: 511-16. Web.

  2. Supa’At, Izreen, Zaiton Zakaria, Oteh Maskon, Amilia Aminuddin, and Nor Anita Megat Mohd Nordin. Effects of Swedish Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Inflammatory Markers in Hypertensive Women. International Journal of Preventative Medicine. 2013: 1-8.

  3. Bauer BA, Cutshall SM, Wentworth LJ, Engen D, Messner PK, Wood CM, Brekke KM, Kelly RF, Sundt TM 3rd. Effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension after cardiac surgery: a randomized study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 May;16(2)

  4. Delaney, J.P., Leong, K.S., Watkins, A., & Brodie, D.The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2002; 37, 364-71.

  5. Boone, T., Tanner, M., & Radosevich, A. Effects of a 10-minute back rub on cardiovascular responses in healthy subjects. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2001; 29, 47-52.

Sleep better

  1. Castro-Sánchez, A.M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G.A., Granero-Molina, J., Aguilera-Manrique, G., Quesada-Rubio, J.M., Moreno-Lorenzo, C. Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011:561753.

  2. Jane, S.W., Chen, S.L., Wilkie, D.J., Lin, Y.C., Foreman, S.W., Beaton, R.D., Fan, J.Y., Lu, M.Y., Wang, Y.Y., Lin, Y.H., Liao, M.N. Effects of massage on pain, mood status, relaxation, and sleep in Taiwanese patients with metastatic bone pain: a randomized clinical trial. Pain. 2011 Oct;152(10):2432-42.

  3. Oliveira, D.S., Hachul, H., Goto, V., Tufik, S., Bittencourt, L.R. Effect of therapeutic massage on insomnia and climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2011.

  4. Dong, H.Y., Wang, W. Clinical observations on curative effect of TCM massage on dyssomnia of infants. J Tradit Chin Med. 2010; 30(4):299-301.

  5. Nerbass, F.B., Feltrim, M.I., Souza, S.A., Ykeda, D.S., Lorenzi-Filho, G. Effects of massage therapy on sleep quality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010; 65(11):1105-10.

  6. Field, T., Hernandes-Reif, M., Diego, M., Fraser, M. Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy.  Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2007; 11(2) 141-145.

  7. Field,T. & Hernandez-Reif, M. Sleep problems in infants decrease following massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care, 2001; 168, 95-104.

  8. Chen, M.L., Lin, L.C., Wu, S.C., Lin, J.G. The effectiveness of acupressure in improving the quality of sleep of institutionalized residents. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1999; 54(8):M389-94.

Promote relaxation

  1. Chen, W.L., Liu, G.J., Yeh, S.H., Chiang, M.C., Fu, M.Y., Hsieh, Y.K. Effect of Back Massage Intervention on Anxiety, Comfort, and Physiologic Responses in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure. J Altern Complement Med. 2012.

  2. Jane, S.W., Wilkie, D.J., Gallucci, B.B., Beaton, R.D., Huang, H.Y. Effects of a Full-Body Massage on Pain Intensity, Anxiety, and Physiological Relaxation in Taiwanese Patients with Metastatic Bone Pain: A Pilot Study. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009; 37(4):754-63.

  3. Fernández-Pérez, A.M., Peralta-Ramírez, M.I., Pilat, A., Villaverde, C. Effects of myofascial induction techniques on physiologic and psychologic parameters: a randomized controlled trial.  J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(7):807-11.

  4. Garner, B., Phillips, L.J., Schmidt, H.M., Markulev, C., O'Connor, J., Wood, S.J., Berger, G.E., Burnett, P., McGorry, P.D. Pilot study evaluating the effect of massage therapy on stress, anxiety and aggression in a young adult psychiatric inpatient unit. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2008; 42(5):414-22.

  5. Cooke, M., Holzhauser, K., Jones, M., Davis, C., Finucane, J. The effect of aromatherapy massage with music on the stress and anxiety levels of emergency nurses: comparison between summer and winter. J Clin Nurs, 2007; 16(9):1695-703.

  6. Imanishi, J., Kuriyama, H., Shigemori, I., Watanabe, S., Aihara, Y., Kita, M., Sawai, K., Nakajima, H., Yoshida, N., Kunisawa, M., Kawase, M., Fukui, K. Anxiolytic Effect of Aromatherapy Massage in Patients with Breast Cancer. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007.

  7. Mok, E., Woo, C.P. (2004). The effects of slow-stroke back massage on anxiety and shoulder pain in elderly stroke patients.  Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 10(4):209-16.

  8. Smith, M., Reeder, F., Daniel, L., Baramee, J., Hagman, J. Outcomes of touch therapies during bone marrow transplant. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2003; 9(1) 40-49.

  9. Hattan, J., King, L., Griffiths, P. The impact of foot massage and guided relaxation following cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs, 2002; 37(2):199-207.

  10. MacDonald, G. Massage offers respite for primary care givers. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, 1998; Jan/Feb, 43-47.