New Research Analysis Indicates Massage Therapy Strongly Recommended for Pain Management

EVANSTON, Ill., May 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on the evidence, massage therapy can provide significant improvement for pain, anxiety and health-related quality of life for those looking to manage their pain.  This is the conclusion of a collaborative meta-analysis of research on massage therapy for pain conducted by Samueli Institute and commissioned by the Massage Therapy Foundation, with support from the American Massage Therapy Association.  The first part of the three-part review and analysis has been published online by the journal Pain Medicine. 

Pain is a major public health concern, affecting approximately 100 million Americans.¹  It is currently recognized as the most compelling reason for an individual to seek medical attention, and accounts for approximately 80% of physician visits.^2,3  Not only are individuals affected, but also their families, the national economy and health systems.  It is estimated that chronic pain accounts for approximately $600 billion in annual health care expenditures and lost productivity.^3,4  This annual cost is greater than the cost of other national priority health conditions, highlighting the significant economic burden of pain.

Based on the evidence, massage therapy, compared to no treatment, should be strongly recommended as a pain management option. Massage therapy is conditionally recommended for reducing pain, when compared to sham or other active comparators, and improving mood and health-related quality of life, compared to other active comparators.⁵

Pain is multi-dimensional and may be better addressed through an integrative approach. Massage therapy is commonly used among people seeking pain management and research has generally supported its use.  But, until now there has been no published, rigorous review of the available research and evidence for its efficacy for pain populations.   

This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to rigorously assess the quality of massage therapy research and evidence for its efficacy and effectiveness in treating pain, function-related and health-related quality of life outcomes for people with various types of pain. 

Samueli Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization dedicated to exploring the science of healing.  See www.SamueliInstitute.org.

The American Massage Therapy Association, the most respected name in massage therapy, is the largest non-profit, professional association serving the massage therapy profession. AMTA offers a free professional massage therapist locator service at www.findamassagetherapist.org.

The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity, with a mission to advance the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.  See www.massagetherapyfoundation.org.

¹ Institute of Medicine (U.S.). Committee on Advancing Pain Research Care and Education. Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research. Washington, D.C2011.

² National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2006, with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. Hyattsville, MD2006.

³ Jamison R, Edwards R. Integrating Pain Management in Clinical Practice. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings. 2012;19(1):49-64.

⁴ Fishman S, Young H, Lucas A, et al. Core competencies for pain management: results of an interprofessional consensus summit. Pain Medicine. 2013;14(7):971-981.

⁵ Crawford C, Boyd C, Paat C, et al. The Impact of Massage Therapy on Function in Pain Populations – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Part I, Patients Experiencing Pain in the General Population. Pain Medicine http://painmedicine.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/05/06/pm.pnw099

Media Contact: Ron Precht

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SOURCE American Massage Therapy Association

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