Research to Support the Effects and Benefits of Massage Therapy

1. Low Back Pain
International Journal of Neuroscience; 106, 131-145, 2001.
Lower back pain is reduced and range of motion increased after massage therapy.

2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies; 8,9-14,2004.
Carpal Tunnel Sydrome symptoms are lessened following massage therapy.

3. Fibromyalgia
Journal of Clinical Rheumatology; 2002.
Fibromyalgia pain and substance P are decreased and sleep improves following massage therapy.

4. High Blood Pressure and associated symptoms
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies; 4, 31-38, 2000.
High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy, reduction in cortisol stress hormone, reduction in scores for depression, anxiety and hostility.

5. High Blood Pressure
Biol. Res. Nurs.; 7,98-105, 2005.
The effect of therapeutic back massage in hypertensive persons: a preliminary study. Results found that systolic BP decreased over time, as did the diastolic BP.

6. Pain medication use
Archives of Internal Medicine; 161, 1081-8, 2001
262 patients with persistent back pain received traditional chinese acupuncture, therapeutic massage, or selfcare education material all over a 10 wek period. Therapeutic massage was superior to the self care or the acupuncture based on disability scale administered. The massage group used the least medication and had the lowest costs of subsequent care.

7. Cardiovascular and relaxation response
American Journal of Chinese Medicine; 29,47-52,2001.
Effects of a 10 minute back massage on the cardiovascular response in healthy subjects. The results showed that the central and peripheral components of oxygen consumption were changed and cardiac output decreased. This indicates that the massage was effective in inducing a relaxation response.

8. Effects of Myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone.
Following trigger point massage a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Analysis of heart rate variability recorded a significant increase in parasympathetic activity (rest and relax). Additionally both muscle tension and emotional state showed a significant improvement.