May 2008 [Volume 7, Issue 5]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Researching the Benefits of Massage
• Massage Helpful in Relieving Fibromyalgia Pain
• Massage and Ulcers Question

Researching the Benefits of Massage

Much research has been done to determine how well massage therapy provides relief for chronic, non-malignant pain for certain conditions such as low back pain but few studies have been done to determine its effectiveness on shoulder and headache pain.

A study published in the Journal of Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine searched computerized databases for relevant studies including prior reviews and primary trials of massage therapy for chronic, non-malignant pain. The authors found that "research to date provides varying levels of evidence for the benefits of massage therapy for different chronic pain conditions. Future studies should employ rigorous study designs and include follow-up assessments for additional quantification of the longer-term effects of massage on chronic pain."

The authors looked at studies which analyzed the effectiveness of massage therapy and low back pain, sub acute and chronic non-specific low back pain, headaches, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and mixed chronic pain conditions (neck and shoulder or neck and back pain). The authors found mixed results when going over all of the data.

"In sum, this review identified important areas for future research on the effectiveness of massage therapy for chronic, non-malignant pain. Whereas there is fairly robust support for the analgesic effects of massage for non-specific LBP, there is only moderate support for such effects on shoulder pain and headache pain. One of the most important methodological considerations that should be addressed in future trials is the inclusion of follow-up assessments in order to allow further quantification of the longer-term effects of massage therapy on pain."

Massage Helpful in Relieving Fibromyalgia Pain

A recent study published in the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology compared massage therapy with relaxation therapy for fibromyalgia with only massage therapy offering long-term benefits.

The study consisted of 24 adult fibromyalgia patients randomized to either massage or relaxation therapy. Each of these groups received 30-minute treatments twice a week for five weeks. Both groups showed decreased anxiety and depressed mood immediately after the first and last therapy sessions. During the study, only those in the massage therapy group reported an increased number of sleep hours and a decreased frequency of sleep movements. Substance P levels decreased and well as the physician's rating of pain, disease and the number of tender points.

"It would be important to compare massage therapy with other therapies that have been effective with fibromyalgia including cognitive behavior therapy and other complimentary therapies such as acupuncture and EEG-driven stimulation," the authors noted.

Massage and Ulcers Question

Question: I have severe acid reflux with a hernia and ulcers. Would massage therapy be able to help my condition and help get it under control? I do go now for stress reduction but is there some method to work on my stomach to get rid of some of my discomfort.

Answer: Unfortunately massage doesn't rid the body of ulcers (generally caused by bacteria) or the hernia. A John Barnes trained myofascial release therapist might be able to help with the discomfort. You can locate one in your area by visiting www.myofascialrelease.com, www.amtamassage.org or www.abmp.com to find a practitioner in your area.

Rajam Roose

Note: Information provided in this Q&A section is drawn from the "Ask a Massage Therapist" online forum, in which massage therapists field questions relative to the massage profession. Readers are encouraged to post their questions at www.massagetoday.com/ask/. Answers should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation and do not in any way constitute the practice of massage therapy or any other health care profession. Readers should consult their own health care providers for medical advice.

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