Research Citations

Massage really works for chronic low-back pain

Massage really works to relieve stress and aid relaxation

Massage really works for cancer patients

Massage really works to boost the immune system

Research Citations on the Efficacy of Massage Therapy, 2002 version

Massage really works for chronic low-back pain

People who get massage for sore muscles and pain have long said that it gives them relief and helps them get back to regular activity. Recent research on the benefits of massage for some types of back pain has shown that massage is effective in both relieving chronic low-back pain and for controlling some back pain.

a.

Cherkin, D.C., Eisenberg, D., et.al. Randomized Trial Comparing Traditional Chinese Medical Acupuncture, Therapeutic Massage, and Self-care Education for Chronic Low Back Pain. Arch Intern Med. 161(8):1081-8; Apr 23, 2001.

b.

Preyde, M. Effectiveness of Massage Therapy for Subacute Low-back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. CMAJ. 162(13):1815-20; Jn 27, 2000.

Massage really works to relieve stress and aid relaxation

After a massage, people say they "feel good" in a general sense. They also report a greater sense of well being. When someone "feels good", they usually "hurt" less, too. Massage has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, and to increase blood and lymph circulation. Massage also has been shown to increase endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.

a.

Cady, S.H., Jones, G.E. Massage Therapy as a Workplace Intervention for Reduction of Stress. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 84(1): 157-158; Feb 1997.

b.

Culpepper-Richards, K., Effect of a Back Massage and Relaxation Intervention on Sleep in Critically Ill Patients. Am. J. Crit. Care. 7(4): 288-299; Jul 1998.

c.

Fakouri, C., Jones,  P. Relaxation Rx: Slow Stroke Back Rub. J. of Geron. Nurs. 13 (2): 32-35; Feb 1987.

d.

Field, T., Morrow, C., Valdeon C., Larson, S., Kuhm, C., Schanberg, S. Massage Reduced Anxiety in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Patients. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry. 31 (1): 125-31; Jan 1992.

e.

Meek, S.S. Effects of Slow Stroke Back Massage on Relaxation in Hospice Clients. Image. J. Nurs. Sch. 25 (1): 17-21; Spring 1993.

f.

Shulman, K.R., Jones, G.E. The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy Intervention on Reducing Anxiety in the Workplace. J. Applied Behav. Sc. 32(2): 160-173; Jn 1996.

Massage really works for cancer patients

Cancer and cancer treatments can cause great physical pain and anxiety. Women who have mastectomies report negative feelings about being touched and must fight a common problem of lymphedema (a build up of lymph in the arm after their surgery). Massage has been shown to reduce and relieve lymphedema, to relieve pain and anxiety among hospitalized cancer patients, and to help mastectomy patients recover from their reluctance to be touched.

a.

Badger, C. The Swollen Limb. Nurs. Times (England). 82 (31): 40-41; 1986.

b.

Brennan, M.J.and Weitz, J. Lymphedema 30 Years After Radical Mastectomy. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 71: 12-14; 1992.

c.

Bunce, I.H., Mirolo, B.R., Hennessy, J.M., et. al. Post-mastectomy Lymphedema Treatment and Measurement. Med. J. Aust. 161: 125-28; 1994.

d.

Ferrell-Torry, A.T. and Glick, O.J. The Use of Therapeutic Massage as a Nursing Intervention to Modify Anxiety and the Perception of Cancer Pain. Cancer Nurs. 16 (2): 93-101; Apr 1993.

e.

Palliat. Nurs. 1 (1): 21-30; Jan/Mar 1995.

Massage really works to boost the immune system

Your body’s immune system helps you fight off infections and illnesses, and it helps you recover from injuries. When you are under stress, the immune system may not always work the way it should. Research among different groups of people in very different situations has shown the massage can increase the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity (the activity level of the body’s natural "killer cells") and decrease the number of T-cells. The result is an immune system that is working better. Massage doesn’t cure ailments, but it has been shown to help the body function better in fighting ailments.

a.

Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Ironson, G. Massage Therapy Effects on Breast Cancer. (unpublished); 1998.

b.

Ironson, G., Field, T., et.al. Massage Therapy is Associated with Enhancement of the Immune System’s Cytotoxic Capacity. Intern. J. Neuroscience. 84:205-217; 1996.

c.

Zeitlin, D., et.al. Immunological Effects of Massage Therapy During Academic Stress. Psychosomatic Medicine. 62:83-87; Jan/Feb 2000.

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