NIKKI YARNELL

While there are several noteworthy studies to date detailing some of the benefits of massage, the health care community is only beginning to understand exactly how beneficial massage can be. Organizations like the American Massage Therapy Association, New York State Society of Medical Massage Therapists, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Mayo Clinic and Tiffany Field at the Touch Research Institute are working together to uncover the many benefits of massage and thus enhance its importance within the medical and general community at large.

Below is a sampling of interesting studies taken from trusted periodicals such as The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Preventative Medicine, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

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SOME GENERAL FACTS ABOUT MASSAGE

• Today, 39 million American adults – more than one out of every six – get at least one massage each year.
• Massage therapy has been proven effective in:
  Relieving back pain
  Boosting immune system
  Reducing anxiety
  Lowering blood pressure
  Treating migraines
  Decreasing carpal tunnel symptoms
  Easing post-operative pain
  Alleviating side effects of cancer
• Because massage and bodywork directly or indirectly affects every system of the body, it promotes health, prevents illness and injury, and speeds recovery.
• In 1996, massage therapy and bodywork was officially offered for the first time as a core medical service in the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, and nationally certified practitioners provided key medical services.

                                                                       NCBTMB Website
Massage has been shown to:

• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce heart rate
• Increase cytotoxic capacity (activity level of the body’s natural "killer cells")
• Enhance weight gain in pre-term infants
• Increase lymph flow
• Reduce edema
• Relieve and reduce certain types of back pain
• Reduce anxiety and relieve stress

                                                                        AMTA Website
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HOW MASSAGE HEALS SORE MUSCLES

"A massage after vigorous exercise unquestionably feels good, and it seems to reduce pain and help muscles recover..."

                                                                        The New York Times
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DON'T CALL IT PAMPERING: MASSAGE WANTS TO BE MEDICINE

"While massage may have developed a reputation as a decadent treat for people who love
pampering, new studies are showing it has a wide variety of tangible health benefits..."

                                                                        The Wall Street Journal
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A COMPARISON OF MASSAGE THERAPY AND USUAL MEDICAL CARE FOR CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN

"Low back pain is very common. It often goes away after several days or weeks, but it may last for months or years or periodically recur..."

                                                                        Annals of Internal Medicine
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MASSAGE THERAPY ATTENUATES INFLAMMATORY SIGNALING AFTER EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE

"Massage therapy is commonly used during physical rehabilitation of skeletal muscle to ameliorate pain and promote recovery from injury..."
   
                                                                        Science Translational Medicine
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CHANGES IN PSYCHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE FOLLOWING MASSAGE THERAPY

"Investigations into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to address stress, depression, and anxiety of those experiencing chronic pain are rare..."

                                                                        Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy
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EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT MASSAGE THERAPY IS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

"Massage therapy may help relieve symptoms of depression, a new review of medical literature hints..."

                                                                        Journal of Clinical Psychology
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EFFECT OF MASSAGE ON PAIN MANAGEMENT FOR THORACIC SURGERY PATIENTS

"Integrative therapies such as massage have gained support as interventions that improve the overall patient experience during hospitalization..."

                                                                        International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
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NEW STUDY FINDS HOW MASSAGE AFFECTS STRESS HORMONE LEVELS

"Recently published in The Journal of Alternative and Contemporary Medicine, researchers tested the blood of 53 adults via intravenous catheters before and up to an hour after they received deep Swedish massages or light massages..."

                                                                         Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine
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MASSAGE FOR SENIORS: WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

"As the number of seniors continues to grow, so does the number of articles on the potential benefits of massage therapy for this special population..."
              
                                                                         American Massage Therapy Association
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THERAPIES: FOR ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE, MASSAGE MAY HELP

"People who suffer from arthritis of the knee appear to gain lasting relief from a traditional course of Swedish massage, researchers report..."

                                                                         American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
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EFFECTIVENESS OF AROMA MASSAGE ON ADVANCED CANCER PATIENTS WITH CONSTIPATION

"In advanced cancer patients, a large number of patients suffer from various types of pain and discomfort..."

                                                                         Complementary Theories in Clinical Practice
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RANGE OF MOTION IMPROVES AFTER MASSAGE IN CHILDREN WITH BURNS

"In 2003, approximately 83,300 children in the United States (ages 14 and younger) were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to burns..."

                                                                          Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
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MASSAGE AS ADJUVANT THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE POSTOPERATIVE PAIN

"Acute postoperative pain is a nearly universal experience after major surgical procedures..."

                                                                          Journal of American College of Surgeons
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BODY-ORIENTED THERAPY IN RECOVERY FROM CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE

"For women in therapeutic recovery from childhood sexual abuse, recovery is intimately related to integration of the self..."

                                                                          Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
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JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: BENEFITS FROM MASSAGE THERAPY

"Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common rheumatic disease of childhood and one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood..."

                                                                           Journal of Pediatric Psychology
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MODERATE VERSUS LIGHT PRESSURE MASSAGE THERAPY LEADS TO GREATER WEIGHT GAIN IN PRETERM INFANTS

"Moderate pressure massage therapy has been noted to be more effective than light pressure massage therapy for both adults and infants..."

                                                                           Infant Behavior and Development
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SPORTS MASSAGE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

"Athletic populations repeatedly tout the benefits of massage therapy to enhance athletic performance as demonstrated by the number of major athletic teams that support massage therapists on their payroll..."

                                                                            Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
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MASSAGE THERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE SYMPTOMS

"Massage therapy may improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, according to a new study..."

                                                                            Natural Standard
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