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The most compelling evidence supporting the benefits of massage therapy lies in its effectiveness for stress and anxiety reduction; massage therapy demonstrates benefit 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).
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.
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Image Created by Richard Lebert
Improved Health Outcomes when Massage Therapy is Included in Primary Care Teams.
“A biopsychosocial framework of health and wellness helps contextualize the interconnected and multidirectional interaction between physiology, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, culture, and beliefs” (Lebert, 2018).
Cost-Effective Care:
Improved Patient Outcomes:
Persistent Pain Management:
Prehab, Rehab and Restoring Function
Acute and Subacute Management
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Image Created by Richard Lebert
When to Refer to a Massage Therapist
Compelling evidence underscores the integration of massage therapy into various critical aspects of patient health treatments. This includes chronic pain management (e.g., addressing back pain, headache, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, neck and shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, and hospice care), behavioural health treatment (anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD, and aiding in substance use disorder recovery), rehabilitation and physical training (including athletic training/injury treatment, ergonomics, job-related injuries, cardiac rehab, joint replacement surgery, and scar management), as well as acute medical conditions (such as cancer management, postoperative pain, lymphatic drainage, and maternity and neonatal care (AMTA, 2018).
Cancer Care:
Massage therapy is commonly embraced by cancer patients to address their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Research findings suggest that massage therapy is particularly effective in relieving cancer-related pain, especially pain associated with surgical procedures (Lee et al., 2015). Massage therapy appears to be promising for reducing pain intensity/severity, fatigue, and anxiety in cancer populations compared to the active comparators evaluated in this systematic review (Boyed et al.,2016).
Post-surgical care:
A growing body of literature supports the integration of massage therapy, a commonly prescribed holistic pain management therapy, in caring for patients undergoing surgery (Boyed et al.,2016)
Stress, Mood and Anxiety Improvement:
RMTs can help patients manage stress and anxiety, promoting overall mental health. Massage therapy is known to induce relaxation and improve mood (Moyer et al.,2004)
Preventative Care:
Regular massage therapy can contribute to preventive care by addressing musculoskeletal issues early, potentially preventing the development of more serious conditions.
Musculoskeletal issues:
Numerous studies demonstrate that massage therapy can provide relief for patients with chronic back pain. Results suggest that massage therapy is a viable, effective treatment option for people who deal with chronic back pain (Kumar, et al., 2013; Preyde, 2000). Neck and shoulder pain improves with massage therapy (Chou, 2017; Kong et al., 2013; Field, 2014).
Increased Patient Satisfaction:
Integrating massage therapy into primary care can enhance patient satisfaction by providing an additional, often highly valued, avenue for treatment and support.
Patient Education:
RMTs can educate patients about self-care strategies, exercises, and lifestyle modifications to complement massage therapy and promote long-term well-being.
Holistic Patient Care:
RMTs contribute to a holistic approach to patient care by addressing physical, mental, and emotional well-being through massage therapy.
In Canada, hospital-based massage therapy is not a new concept; however, hospital-affiliated massage therapists are often independent contractors (Guzman, 2015). And while some hospitals have on-site massage therapists, they are frequent volunteers (Guzman,2015). The dependable integration of massage services by registered/licensed therapists is still limited despite the positive evidence-based contribution massage therapists in Canadian hospitals can make to healthcare outcomes (Kania-Richmond et al., 2015). Community Health Centres (CHCs) distinguish themselves by combining medical services with health promotion and community programs under one roof. When recognized as an available treatment, Massage therapy can be considered to be part of the “Illness Prevention Service Area within CHCs. With the increasing use of complementary and alternative healthcare (CAHC) in Canada, the public's willingness to explore CAHC, including massage therapy, alongside conventional healthcare, may exert pressure to incorporate it into primary care teams.
MYTH
Massage can spread cancer.
FACT
Massage therapy is beneficial in helping people with cancer manage their symptoms, including lymphedema and pain.
MYTH
Massage can induce labour or cause miscarriage.
FACT
There is no evidence or scientific explanation that indicates that massage can cause a miscarriage. Massage is beneficial in increasing comfort in all three trimesters.
MYTH
Massage has to be painful to be effective.
FACT
Some treatments are effective because they are light. Some types of massages will involve applying more pressure, but it doesn’t have to hurt to maximize health benefits.
MYTH
All Massage is the same.
FACT
Massage types include Lymphatic massage, Sports massage, Relaxation massage, Nerve mobilization, Stretching and exercise prescription, Progressive relaxation and more.
MYTH
Massage therapy flushes toxins from the body. While it does pose many benefits, removing toxins is not one of them.
FACT
There is no scientific evidence that massage therapy “flushes” toxins from the body.
MYTH
Massage is only for Adults.
FACT
The effects that massage therapy has on children are similar to those in adults. Older children and teens can benefit from the non-invasive treatment of massage therapy.
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