There is much research that validates that massage therapy is an important component of a wellness program:

  • Massage has been shown to increase range of motion and flexibility as well as to improve measures of anxiety, depression, vitality, and perceived stress.
  • It can also increase feelings of wellness, calm, relaxation, and a sense of belonging.
  • In a study of the effect of massage therapy on patients receiving Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT) it was concluded that those who received massage therapy had a better quality of life.  These patients rested more easily, had less depression and anxiety and were more able to communicate with loved ones during this crucial treatment.
  • Massage helps overcome the feelings of fatigue.
  • Massage has positive side-effects in addition to those that affect the musculoskeletal system.
  • Massage coupled with aromatherapy and music significantly reduced emergency room nurses’ anxiety levels.
  • Adolescents had an increased sense of well-being after receiving massage.
  • Massage increases a sense of well-being and decreases stress in older adults.
  • Massage reduces nausea in chemotherapy patients.
  • Caregiver[s] reported an improvement in physical and emotional states after chair massage.
  • Massage in combination with mental training (in a stress management program) has a positive effect on women’s health.

According to the American Psychological Association:

  • Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
  • 75 to 90 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
  • Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has declared stress a hazard of the workplace.
  • It is logical that if stress is decreased, then wellness will increase.  Massage has been shown to decrease stress; therefore massage will increase wellness and should be included in everyone’s health management plan.

Source article:  http://www.amtamassage.org/statement3.html


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Therapeutic Massage

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benefits for those who exercise

Quality of Life Improvement

 Millions of people around the world play sports and exercise, from the elite professional athlete to the novice just starting a walking program for general health and wellness benefits. 

Sports massage can be used to improve athletic performance, speed recovery, and can be utilized by all individuals who participate in any athletic and/or exercise program to help improve conditioning and maintain peak performance.  Research has shown that in relation to exercise and athletic participation massage can:*

  • Reduce muscle tension 4, 18, 19

  • Help athletes monitor muscle tone 4, 19

  • Promote relaxation 4, 18, 19

  • Reduce muscle hypertonicity 4, 18, 19

  • Increase range of motion 4, 14, 18, 19

  • Improve soft tissue function 4, 18

  • Support recovery from the transient immunosuppression state 6

  • Support the recovery of heart rate variability and diastolic blood pressure after high-intensity exercise.7

  • Decrease muscle stiffness and fatigue after exercise 8, 18, 19

  • Improve exercise performance 8, 9, 18, 19

  • Decrease delayed onset muscle soreness 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

  • Be the most efficient intervention for maintaining maximal performance time in subsequent exercise tests when combined with active recovery from maximal exercise 12

  • Reduce serum creatine kinase post exercise 13

  • Reduce swelling 17, 19

  • Reduce breathing pattern disorders 18

  • Enhance athletic performance 4, 18, 19

  • May help prevent injuries when massage is received regularly 18, 19

Individuals who participate in exercise and athletic programs who seek enhanced performance, improved conditioning, faster recovery, injury prevention, and assistance in maintaining peek fitness can benefit from massage therapy given by professional massage therapists working within their scope of practice.  

Source article: http://www.amtamassage.org/approved_position_statements/Massage-Therapy-for-Those-Who-Exercise.html​