Musculoskeletal Conditions
Back Pain
A recent review of Complementary and Alternative therapies for back pain found that massage, among other therapies, resulted in a significant decrease in the intensity of acute and sub-acute back pain compared to placebo.(1) This same review found no effect on chronic back pain.
Neck Pain
Short term improvement has been seen with chronic neck pain.(2)
Migraines
In one meta-analysis randomized control trial (RCT) of manual therapies for migraine prophylaxis, the conclusion was reached that massage may be as effective as propranolol or topiramate but further study is needed for confirmation.(3)
Fibromyalgia
Patients with fibromyalgia may benefit from massage, although some find it unpleasant due to increased sensitivity of the muscle tissue. Slow gradual progression of pressure may be needed. Patients may see a short term decline in anxiety levels and improved quality of sleep, pain and quality of life.(4) Longer term effects may include improved quality of sleep. There are a number of other RCTs confirming these findings but larger trials are needed.(5)
1. Furlan A, Yazdi F, Tsertsvadze A, et al. Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Back Pain II. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 194. Prepared by the University of Ottawa Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2007-10059-I (EPCIII). AHRQ Publication No. 10(11)E007. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. October 2010.
2. Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Hawkes RJ, et al. Randomized trial of therapeutic massage for chronic neck pain. Clinical Journal of Pain. 2009;25(3):233–238.
3. Chaibi A, Tuchin PJ, Russell MB. Manual therapies for migraine: A systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2011 Feb 5.
4. Castro-Sánchez AM, Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, Granero-Molina J, Aguilera-Manrique G, Quesada-Rubio JM, Moreno-Lorenzo C. Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:561753.
5. Kalichman L. Massage therapy for fibromyalgia symptoms. Rheumatol Int. 2010 Jul;30(9):1151-7.