Is massage therapy effective in managing pain?

From the Guidelines

Massage is a moderately effective treatment for managing pain, particularly for short-term pain relief in patients with subacute to chronic low back pain. According to the American College of Physicians guideline 1, moderate-quality evidence shows that massage improved short-term pain relief and function compared to other interventions, such as manipulation, exercise therapy, relaxation therapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy, or TENS, for patients with subacute to chronic low back pain. The effects of massage on pain relief are small, but it can be a valuable component of a comprehensive pain management approach.

Some key points to consider when using massage for pain management include:

• The effectiveness of massage varies by individual and condition, with the best results typically seen for back pain, neck pain, headaches, and fibromyalgia 1.
• Different massage techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and trigger point therapy, can be used to target specific types of pain.
• The duration and frequency of massage sessions can impact their effectiveness, with shorter sessions potentially being more beneficial for acute pain and regular longer sessions potentially being more beneficial for chronic pain.
• It is essential to communicate clearly with your massage therapist about your pain levels and preferences during treatment to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Overall, while massage is not a cure-all for pain, it can be a useful adjunct to other treatments, such as physical therapy, medication, or exercise, and can help improve pain relief and function in patients with subacute to chronic low back pain 1.

From the Research

Effectiveness of Massage in Managing Pain

• Massage therapy has been shown to be effective in managing pain in various clinical populations, including those with musculoskeletal pain and chronic conditions 2.
• A systematic review of 17 studies found that massage therapy as a self-management strategy improved symptoms such as chronic neck and back pain, stress, anxiety, fatigue, quality of sleep, and health-related quality of life 2.
• Another study found that massage therapy was at least as effective as standard medical care in improving pain and reducing depression and anxiety in patients with chronic pain syndromes 3.

Types of Pain Managed by Massage

• Massage therapy has been found to be effective in managing various types of pain, including:
  • Arthritis pain (knee, neck, hand) 2, 4
  • Neck and back pain 2, 3
  • Cancer pain 5
  • Low back pain 5, 6
  • Musculoskeletal pain 2, 6
  • Postoperative pain 5
  • Delayed onset muscle soreness 5

Quality of Evidence

• The quality of evidence for the effectiveness of massage therapy in managing pain is generally low to moderate, with few studies rated as high-certainty evidence 5, 6.
• A systematic review of 129 systematic reviews found that only 7 conclusions were rated as moderate-certainty evidence, and all remaining conclusions were rated as low- or very low-certainty evidence 6.
• Another review found that the evidence for the effectiveness of massage therapy in managing arthritis symptoms was low to moderate quality 4.