Extensive Research

The Massage Therapy Profession relies on the same knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathologies as required by other health care professions. It uses proven techniques and treatments to help clients maintain a high level of health and happiness. Swedish massage forms the basis for the techniques used in treatment. 

The approach in massage differs from traditional medicine in that it focuses on the whole being. Treatment and techniques employed focus on manual therapy as opposed to the use of instruments and drugs.

According to Dr. John Yates, PH.D. and author of A Physician's Guide to Therapeutic Massage: Its Physiological Effects and Their Application to Treatment,  "as with the medical profession itself, the treatment principles of Massage Therapy are undergoing a shift from being empirically based to being scientifically based. A growth in scientific evidence supports and explains the beneficial effects of Massage Therapy."

Various groups are involved in developing a unique body of knowledge for the profession.

  • University of Maryland Medical Centre, Tension Headaches

  • The Touch Institute of Florida,  Effects of Touch on Disease, Development and Psychology

  • The National Institute of Health, Massage and the Treatment of Cancer and HIV

  • Phelps Memorial Hospital in New York,  Effects of Massage on Spinal Injury Patients

  • The Upledger Institute of Florida,  Effects of Crainal Sacral Therapy

  • McGill University, Literature Review on Whiplash and Multi-Disciplinary Treatment . 

Summary of Research gathered by the

British Columbia Massage Therapy Association

 

Pain

  • Daily massage treatments reduced the pain and stiffness of people with fibromyalgia. (Field, 1996)

  • Fifty-two patients with back pain, most of whom had tried other therapies without success, received eight massage therapy treatments over a one month period. Eighty-six per cent said they felt dramatically better following treatments. (Weintraub, 1994)

  • Massage therapy increased the amount of beta-endorphins in the blood by 16 per cent. Beta-endorphins are believed to be responsible for pain relief and a feeling of well being. (Kaada and Torsteinbo, 1989)

Work

  • In 1988, Baxter Corp., an Ontario pharmaceutical company, implemented a massage therapy program for employees. Over the next four years, the time taken off by employees for work-related injuries decreased by 25 per cent. Between 1988 and 1990, compensation claims at the company dropped by $200,000. (Financial Times, 1992)

  • Employees who were given a 15-minute massage treatments twice-a-week for five weeks were more alert and exhibited positive changes in brain waves. (Field, 1997)

  • Pepsi, Apple Computers and Merril Lynch and Co. are just a few of the major corporations that offer employees massage therapy as part of their benefits program. (Financial Post, 1989)

  • Adults who were given 15-minute massage therapy treatments twice a week for five weeks, showed increased speed and accuracy on math questions and their job stress scores were lower. (Fiels et al, 1996)

Sport

  • A study of females who had massage therapy treatments showed a significant increase in the range of motion of their hamstring muscles. (Crossman et al, 1984)

  • A vigorous sport massage treatment two hours after a vigorous exercise reduced muscle soreness. (Smith et al, 1994)

Stress

  • Young psychiatric patients who underwent massage therapy had lower stress hormone levels, better sleep patterns and less anxiety. (Field, 1995)

  • Massage therapy resulted in lower anxiety and stress among children with conditions such as autism and children who were victims of physical and sexual abuse. (Field, 1995)

  • Female patients suffering from chronic tension headaches who received 10 massage therapy treatments in two-and-a-half weeks experienced a significant long-term improvement of their headaches and moods. (Puusjarvi et al, 1990)

  • Massage therapy promoted relaxation among patients between 56 to 96 years of age and reduced blood pressure. (Fakouri and Jones, 1987)

Disease

  • In a study comparing massage therapy to Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation, patients with fibromyalgia who received massage therapy reported less pain, stiffness and fatigue. (Sunshine et al, 1996)

  • Children with rheumatoid arthritis who were given massage therapy treatments had much greater reduction in pain than those involved in progressive muscle relaxation therapy. (Field et al, 1997)

  • People with asthma who received weekly 15 minute massage therapy treatments reported reduced chest tightness, wheezing, physical pain and fatigue. (Munson and Yekyal, 1995)

  • Patients with cancer who received massage therapy experienced less pain, improved mobility and less swelling, (Wilkinson, 1996)

  • Young girls suffering from bulimia had lower depression scores, lower stress hormone levels and improved attitudes about eating and their bodies following 10 massage therapy treatments over five weeks. (Field et al, 1997)

  • Massage therapy had positive effects on the immune systems and stress levels of people with HIV. (Field, 1996)

Pregnancy/Infants

  • Premature babies who received daily massages gained 47 per cent more weight and went home an average of six days sooner than those who did not receive massage therapy. The early return home saved about $3,000 (US) per infant in hospital costs. (Field et al, 1986)

  • Women who received massage therapy during childbirth reported less pain and anxiety. (Field et al, 1997)

  • Cocaine-exposed premature babies who received massage therapy gained 28 per cent more weight and developed significantly faster. (Wheeden et al, 1993)

 
Other Scientific Studies on the Effects of Massage Therapy

Myriad research studies confirm that massage therapy provides physical, mental and emotional benefits at all stages of life.

v   Infants and Children

a. Field T. Massage therapy for infants and children. J. Dev. Behav. Pediatr. 16 (2): 105-11; April 1995.

Demonstrates clinical improvement of infants and children with a variety of medical conditions.

 

b. Scafidi F.A.; Field T.; Schanberg S.M. Factors that predict which preterm infants benefit most from massage therapy. J. Dev. Behav. Pediatr. 14 (3): 176-80; June 1993.

Massage therapy enhanced weight gain in preterm infants.

 

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

 

d. Scafidi FA. Effect of tactile/kinesthetic stimulation on the clinical course and sleep/wake state of preterm neonates. Infant Behavior and Development. 9 (1): 91-105;

Improves weight gain of preterm babies and increases the time preterm babies are awake and active.

 

e. White-Traut RC; Nelson MN. Maternally administered tactile, auditory, visual and vestibular stimulation: relationship to later interactions between mothers and premature infants. Research in Nursing and Health. 11 (1): 31-39; February 1988.

 

 

v     Sports Medicine

 

a. Goats GC. Massage--The Scientific Basis of an Ancient Art: Parts 1 and 2. Br. J. Sports Med. (UK) 28 (3) p. 149-52 & 153-56; Sept. 1994.

Reviews techniques and previous research on effects of massage on blood flow and composition, edema, connective tissue, muscle and the nervous system.Demonstrates the use of massage in sports medicine can be justified.

 

 

b. Smith LL; Keating MN; Holbert D; Spratt DJ; McCammon MR; Smith SS; Israel RG. The Effects of Athletic Massage on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Creatine Kinase, and Neutrophil Count: A Preliminary Report. J. Orthop Sports Phys. Ther. 19 (2) p. 93-99; February 1994.

The results of this study suggest that sports massage will reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Creatine Kinase when administered two hours after the termination of eccentric exercise.

 

c. Longworth JC. Psychophysiological Effects of Slow Stroke Back Massage in Normotensive Females. Adv. Nurs. Sci. (ANS) 4: p. 44-61; 1982.

Study found electromyographic evidence of muscle relaxation after slow stroke back massage.

 

 

v   Musculoskeletal Related

 

a. Travell JG; Simons DG. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins. 1983. Note: This is a descriptive manual - not research.

States that trigger points can be effectively treated by using focal deep pressure and massage.

 

b. Danneskiold-Samsoe B; Christiansen E; Anderson RB. Myofascial pain and the role of myoglobin. Scand J. Rheumatol. (Stockholm) 15: p. 174-78; 1986.

Massage produced an increase in plasma myoglobin and helped decrease muscle tension and pain after repeated treatments.

 

c. Ginsburg F; Famaey JP. A double-blind study of topical massage with Rado-Salil ointment in mechanical low back pain. Journal of International Medical Research. 15 (3): 148-53; May/June 1987.

Demonstrated improvements in measures of spontaneous, muscular contracture and in finger-floor distance and the degree of lumbar extension by massaging with ointment.

 

d. Haldeman S. Spinal manipulative therapy: terminology and neurologic implications. (Conference Paper) Paper presented at the 8th Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine; Paris, France. May 16-20, 1981. 1982. Orthopedic Transactions. 6 (1): 37-38

Discussed the effects of massage and joint mobilization exercises on somato-visceral reflexes.

 

  

v   Lymph

 

a. Drinker CK. The formation and movements of lymph. Am. Heart J. 18:389; 1939.

 

b. Drinker CK; Yoffey JM. Lymphatics, Lymph and Lymphoid Tissue: Their Physiological and Clinical Significance. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1941

These two studies demonstrated in dogs that lymph flow could be sustained indefinitely by massage.

 

c. Elkins EC; Herrick JF; Grindlay JH; et.al. Effects of various procedures on the flow of lymph. Arch. Phys. Med. 34:31; 1953.

This study showed that massage increased lymph flow rate by seven- to nine times.

 

v   Reduction of lymphedema

 

a. Yamazaki Z; Fujimori Y; Wada T et al. Admittance plethysmographic evaluation of undulatory massage for the edematous limb. Lymphology 12: p. 40-42; 1979

Confirmed that edema was reduced and blood flow increased by using a pneumatic device that produced an undulatory massage.

 

b. Zanolla R; Monzeglio C; Balzarini A et.al. Evaluation of the results of three different methods of postmastectomy lymphedema treatment. J. Surg Oncol. 26: p. 210-13; 1984.

Demonstrated reduced edema with manual lymphatic massage and with uniform-pressure pneumatic massage.

 

c. Bunce IH; Mirolo BR; Hennessy JM; et. al. Post-mastectomy lymphedema treatment and measurement. Med. J. Aust. 161: p 125-28; 1994.

 

d. Brennan MJ; Weitz J. Lymphedema 30 years after radical mastectomy. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 71: p. 12-14; 1992.

 

e. Badger C. The swollen limb. Nursing Times. 82 (31): p. 40-41; 1986.

Discusses the treatment of lymphedema due to cancer surgery or radiotherapy. Treatment with diuretics has declined and the use of mechanical compression devices and/or massage has become more prevalent.

 

 

v     Circulatory System

 

a. Yates, J. A Physician's Guide to Therapeutic Massage: Its Physiological Effects and Their Application to Treatment.; 1990.

"It is commonly believed that massage can increase local blood flow even in normal tissues. Various attempts have been made to verify this effect of massage, with diverse results..."

 

b. Fakouri C; Jones P. Relaxation Rx: Slow Stroke Back Rub. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 13 (2): p. 32-35; February 1987.

 

c. Ashton J. Holistic health. 6. In your hands. Nurs Times 80:54; 1984.

The two studies listed as b and c demonstrate that slow stroke massage reduces heart rate and blood pressure.

 

 

v   Pain Treatment :  Cancer

 

a. Ferrell-Torry AT; Glick OJ. The Use of Therapeutic Massage as a Nursing Intervention to Modify Anxiety and the Perception of Cancer Pain. Cancer Nurs. 16 (2) p. 93-101; April 1993.

Therapeutic massage was shown to be a beneficial nursing intervention that promotes relaxation and alleviates the perception of pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients.

 

b. Weinrich SP; Weinrich MC. The Effect of Massage on Pain in Cancer Patients. Appl. Nurs. Res. 3 (4) p. 140-45; November 1990.

Massage was shown to be an effective short-term nursing intervention for pain in males in this sample.

 

c. Wilkinson S. Aromatherapy and Massage in Palliative Care. Int. J. Palliat. Nurs. 1 (1): p. 21-30; January-March 1995.

This study was set up to assess the effects of massage and aromatherapy massage on cancer patients receiving palliative care. Patient post-test scores on the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory improved. Patients reported that massage or aromatherapy was beneficial in reducing anxiety, tension, pain and depression.

 

 

 v   Headache

 

a. Jensen OK; Neilsen FF; Vosmar L. An Open Study Comparing Manual Therapy with the Use of Cold Packs in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Headache. Cephalalgia (Norway) 10 (5) p. 241-50; October 1990.

A controlled trial to learn if specific manual therapy on the neck could reduce headache as compared with cold pack treatments on the neck. The type of manual therapy used had a specific effect in reducing post-traumatic headache.

 

b. Puustjarvi K; Airaksinen O; Pontinen PJ. The effects of massage in patients with chronic tension headache. Acupunct. Electrother. Res. 15 (2) p. 159-62; 1990.

This study confirmed clinical and physiological effects on massage.

 

 v   Psychological / Emotional

 

a. Meek SS. Effects of slow stroke back massage on relaxation in hospice clients. Image. J. Nurs. Sch. 25 (1) p. 17-21; Spring 1993.

Examines the effects of slow stroke back massage (SSBM) on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and skin temperature. SSBM was associated with decreases in blood pressure and heart rate and an increase in skin temperature. SSBM shown to produce vital signs indicating relaxation.

 

 v   Pregnancy

 

a. Dundee JW; Sourial FB; Ghaly RG; Bell PF. P6 Acupressure Reduces Morning Sickness. Journal of The Royal Society of Medicine. 81 (8): p.456-57; August 1988.

Reduces morning sickness.

 

b. Avery MD; Burket BA. Effect of Perineal Massage on Incidence of Episiotomy and Perineal Laceration in a Nurse-Midwifery Service. (Client Applied Technique) Journal of Nurse-Midwifery. 31 (3): p. 128-34; May/June 1986.

Decreases the need for episiotomy

 

c. Storr GB. Prevention of Nipple Tenderness and Breast Engorgement in the Postpartal Period. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. 17 (3): p. 203-09; May/June 1988.

Relieves breast tenderness and engorgement after birth

 

 

v     Elder Care

 

a. Fakouri C; Jones P. Relaxation Rx: slow stroke back rub. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 13 (2): 32-35; February 1987.

Positively affects blood pressure, pulse & skin temperature.

 

b. Curtis M. The use of massage in restoring cardiac rhythm. Nurs Times (England). 90 (38) p. 36-37; September 21-27, 1994.

Reduces heart rate.

 

c. Meek SS. Effects of slow stroke back massage on relaxation in hospice clients. Image J. Nurs Sch. 25 (1) p. 17-21; Spring 1993.

Enhances relaxation and comfort in hospice clients

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