Scientists and medical researchers from around the world have been studying massage therapy for decades, trying to understand why it’s as effective as it seems to be. Experts agree on some aspects of massage therapy, while others remain a bit of a mystery. For example, everyone agrees that applying pressure to soft tissues like muscles causes changes within those muscles. They also agree that massage promotes relaxation and reduces stress, which often helps improve certain physiological conditions.
However, some benefits of massage therapy still elude conventional science. This uncertainty has led to several theories and hypotheses, often using “might” to suggest possible health benefits of massage therapy:
- Might block pain signals: This is known as the “gate control theory” of reducing pain.
- Might stimulate the lymphatic system: This could increase the flow of lymph, which carries disease-fighting cells throughout the body.
- Might shift the nervous system: Moving from the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) to the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system can result in a lower heart rate, slowed breathing, and relaxed muscles.
- Might prevent fibrosis: By breaking up scar-like tissue, massage may promote beneficial changes in the body.
- Might release feel-good chemicals: Massage may help the body release serotonin or endorphins, which are known to improve mood.
- Might improve sleep: Better sleep is essential for pain control and healing.
- Might enhance overall health: The close interaction between the client and the therapist can contribute to mental and physiological well-being.
What do the studies show?
Here are some specific cases showing the reported benefits of massage therapy, whether they’re fully understood or just observed with curiosity:
- Students at a New Jersey Medical School: Those given massage therapy before an exam showed less anxiety, lower respiratory rates, more white blood cells, and a boosted immune system.
- Cancer patients at the James Cancer Hospital in Ohio: Patients experienced less pain and anxiety after receiving massage therapy.
- University of South Carolina studies: Women who recently lost a child were less depressed after massage therapy.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): Massage therapy improved weight gain in premature infants and those exposed to HIV, and it sped up recovery in patients after abdominal surgery.
- University of Miami’s Touch Research Institute: Massage therapy was found to decrease high blood pressure, relieve migraines, and increase alertness and performance at work.
Additional studies confirm that massage therapy can reduce heart rates, lower blood pressure, increase blood circulation and lymph flow, relax tense muscles, stimulate weak muscles, speed up healing after surgery, disease, and injury, improve vision range, increase endorphins, and reduce anxiety, tension, depression, pain, and itching in burn patients. Autistic children also exhibit calmer and more predictable behavior after massage therapy.
So, is massage therapy beneficial? Absolutely! Massage therapy offers benefits on so many levels. The exact mechanics may not be fully understood yet, but the positive outcomes are undeniable by any standard. Want to learn more about massage in Eden Prairie at Elliott Therapeutics? Click here.