Overview
Massage therapy for pain control is increasingly accepted and employed by mainstream health care providers, hospitals and clinics. This adoption of an alternative form of pain treatment is based both on patient demand as well as study findings that support its effectiveness.
Evidence of Effectiveness
A growing body of research evidence supports the use of massage therapy as an effective treatment for both acute and chronic pain. In a study of 41 patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy for cancer, published in “The Journal of Nursing Scholarship” in 2004, massage therapy reduced pain, improved quality of sleep, reduced symptoms and anxiety levels compared with those who did not receive massage. Another study of 262 patients between 20 to 70 years old with chronic low back pain compared the effectiveness of massage with Chinese acupuncture and the use of self-care educational materials. Results published in “The Archives of Internal Medicine” in 2001 found massage more effective than either alternative. Massage recipients also used the least medications and had the lowest costs of follow-up care. A 2002 study of the effect of massage therapy on chronic non-migraine headaches published in the “American Journal of Public Health” found a muscle-specific type of massage therapy to be an efficacious, non-drug way to reduce the incidence of chronic tension headaches.
How It Works
Massage is a general term for rubbing, pressing and manipulating skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons. It can play a major role in controlling stress, managing anxiety and depression and relieving pain. It’s also helpful for joint stiffness, hypertension and sports injuries.
Massage therapists work from external symptoms to find and treat the root cause of pain, according to Brenda Griffith, president of the American Massage Therapy Association. Theirs is a holistic approach that focuses on the entire person.
Types of Massage
Several styles of massage are available, including Swedish massage, a popular style of massage that uses long hand strokes, deep circular motions, kneading, tapping and vibration and myofascial release, in which a trained therapist finds and gently pushes on pain coordinates in the body, causing tense muscles to relax.
Other approaches include deep tissue massage, which employs slow, forceful hand manipulation of the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, often used for muscle injuries. Shiatsu massage uses the meridians, or energy points, to apply thumb and hand pressure to correct chi (energy) imbalances.
Sports massage, a variation on Swedish massage, is used to treat or prevent sports injuries. Trigger point massage is focused on trigger points or tight muscle fibers that may result from injury or overuse.
Some Words of Caution
In most cases, massage is not only beneficial but also safe. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should consult with a doctor if you have certain medical conditions. These include pain of unknown origin, burns or open wounds, blood clots, broken bones, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy or severe osteoporosis. In rare instances, massage can cause temporary paralysis, internal bleeding, nerve damage or allergic reactions to massage oils.
Check It Out
Most states require massage therapists to be certified as competent and licensed as a health care provider. You can ask your doctor or someone else on your health care team for a recommendation. You can also ask the massage therapist whether she is licensed, certified or registered; questions regarding training and experience are also appropriate. Ask how many sessions of massage the therapists thinks you will need, the cost of treatment and whether it is covered by your health insurance.
