The most compelling evidence supporting the benefits of massage therapy lies in its effectiveness for stress and anxiety reduction; massage therapy demonstrates benefits in enhancing mood and health-related quality of life. The ongoing research is promising in terms of pain control and managing additional symptoms common to patients with cancer, including pain. There is substantial evidence indicating that massage therapy may positively impact various patient-reported functional outcomes in populations experiencing pain (Corbin, 2005; Crawford et al., 2016).
The Canadian Guideline for Opioid and Chronic Non-Cancer Pain currently suggests considering a trial of massage therapy instead of opioids for various conditions, such as back and neck pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, and headaches (Busse et al., 2017; Lebert, 2018). Notably, the American College of Physicians now acknowledges massage therapy as a viable treatment option for individuals dealing with both acute and chronic low back pain (Chou et al, 2017; Qaseem et al., 2017; Lebert, 2018).
Recorded adverse events to the application of MT are seldomly identified. In the context of integrating massage therapy into the primary care team's approach to pain treatment, this modality boasts a favorable safety profile and has demonstrated effectiveness as a healthcare option for various persistent pain syndromes (Skelly et al., 2020; Lebert, 2018).
An increasing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of massage therapy in addressing conditions that burden patients and the healthcare system. These conditions include musculoskeletal pain, the discomforts associated with cancer treatment, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety (Fournier & Reeves, 2012).
Chronic musculoskeletal pain poses significant social and economic costs (Blyth et al., 2019), prompting a re-evaluation of treatment methods (Lewis et al., 2020; Lin et al., 2020).
Research more frequently highlights health systems where massage therapists actively contribute as integral members of integrative care teams, specifically in pain management. These approaches are used alongside specific pharmacological methods, relieving chronic and acute pain sufferers.
“A biopsychosocial framework of health and wellness helps contextualize the interconnected and multidirectional interaction between physiology, thoughts, emotions, behaviours, culture, and beliefs.”
(Lebert, 2018).