American Massage Therapy Association^®

American Massage Therapy Association Encourages More Research on the Effects of Therapeutic Massage

(Evanston, IL - April 17, 2000) — Today, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) restated its view that it is encouraged by recent studies on the efficacy of therapeutic massage and that, while some do not conclusively measure the nature of those effects, such studies point out the need for more research.

"Any clinical research brings us closer to understanding massage," said AMTA president Maureen Moon. "We know that therapeutic massage helps relieve stress and we know that athletes all over the world report beneficial results from sports massage. Scientific studies continue to investigate how it works and what actually takes place in the body as a result of massage."

A recent study of 8 boxers, reported in The British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that there was no difference in blood glucose and lactate levels among those who were massaged after a boxing session and those who rested for 20 minutes. Boxers in the group massaged did report feeling better than the other group. The study did not attempt to determine why that group felt better or if there were other physiological changes in them.

AMTA believes that more research is vital to understanding how therapeutic massage works; and the association hopes that the public is not confused about the efficacy of massage as researchers study its effects. Many research studies have shown very positive effects of massage for many physical and emotional conditions.

With more than 40,000 members, AMTA is the largest organization for professional massage therapists and has a code of ethics and clear practice standards. It supports research on the efficacy of therapeutic massage through the public, charitable AMTA Foundation.

Additional information about massage therapy and about AMTA is available elsewhere on this Web site.

Back to News Room