Massage
Alternate names: Abdominal Massage, Abdominal Meridian Massage, Acupuncture Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Bindegewebsmassage, Chair Massage, Classical Massage, Connective Tissue Manipulation, Connective Tissue Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Deep Transverse Friction Massage, Digital Massage, Effleurage Massage, Esalen Massage, Foot Massage, Foot Reflexion Massage, Hand Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Ice Massage, Infant Massage, Integrative Massage, Lomilomi Massage, Marma Massage Therapy, Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Massage, Oil Massage, Perineal Massage, Petrissage, Prostate Massage, Roll-stretch Massage, Rhythmical Massage, Shiatsu, Skin Rehabilitation Massage Therapy, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Thai Massage, Therapeutic Massage, Tibetan Massage, Trigger point Massage, Tui Na
Background
Massage is the manual or mechanical manipulation of soft tissue to improve health. It is a holistic therapy that's believed to affect all body systems.
Massage might reduce swelling, increase the flow of oxygen into tissues, soften or stretch scar tissue, reduce the build-up of lactic acid in muscles, allow muscles to relax, and stimulate the healing of connective tissue or damaged muscles.
People commonly use massage for back pain and cancer-related pain. It is also used for relaxation, constipation, multiple sclerosis (MS), asthma, athletic performance, stress, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.
Massage might reduce swelling, increase the flow of oxygen into tissues, soften or stretch scar tissue, reduce the build-up of lactic acid in muscles, allow muscles to relax, and stimulate the healing of connective tissue or damaged muscles.
People commonly use massage for back pain and cancer-related pain. It is also used for relaxation, constipation, multiple sclerosis (MS), asthma, athletic performance, stress, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.
Safety Safety definitions
Massage is likely safe when used in most conditions associated with stress and pain. Massage can cause soreness in some people. More aggressive forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage, seem to be more likely to cause side effects. Massage shouldn't be used in place of treatment with more proven therapies.
Children: Most types of massage are likely safe for children. There isn't enough reliable information to know if more aggressive forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage, are safe.
Broken or damaged skin: Massage might make damaged or broken skin worse.
Clotting disorders: Massage might increase the risk of blood clots in people who already have a higher risk for blood clots.
Cartilage or bone overgrowth: Massage might increase the risk of damage to a blood vessel in people with an overgrowth of the bone or cartilage.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Most types of massage are likely safe when used to improve mood and physical well-being during pregnancy and labor. There isn't enough reliable information to know if more aggressive forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage, are safe.Children: Most types of massage are likely safe for children. There isn't enough reliable information to know if more aggressive forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage, are safe.
Broken or damaged skin: Massage might make damaged or broken skin worse.
Clotting disorders: Massage might increase the risk of blood clots in people who already have a higher risk for blood clots.
Cartilage or bone overgrowth: Massage might increase the risk of damage to a blood vessel in people with an overgrowth of the bone or cartilage.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
- Back pain. Different forms of massage seem to temporarily relieve back pain. But it's not clear which forms help most.
- Pain in people with cancer. Massage seems to reduce pain and anxiety in people with cancer. But it's not clear which forms help most.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Burns. Massage on unburned portions of skin seems to help reduce pain and anxiety in people with burns.
- Constipation. Stomach massage seems to improve bowel function in adults and children who are constipated.
- Diseases, such as Alzheimer disease, that interfere with thinking (dementia). Massage seems to help reduce pain and anxiety in people with dementia.
- Fibromyalgia. Massage seems to help reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS). Massage seems to improve some symptoms of MS, including fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
- Yellowing of the skin in infants (neonatal jaundice). Infant massage along with light therapy helps jaundice resolve faster than just using light therapy alone.
- Chronic pain. Massage seems to reduce pain, depression, and anxiety, and improve overall mental health in people with pain. But it only seems to help short-term.
- Pain after surgery. Massage after surgery seems to help reduce pain and anxiety, at least for a few days. But these benefits don't seem to last long-term.
- Growth and development in premature infants. Massage seems to help increase body weight and improve feeding in premature infants.
- Stress. Massage seems to help reduce stress in people with many different conditions and situations.
Dosing & administration
Massage techniques vary. Practitioners mainly use their hands, but may also use their forearms, elbows, or even their feet. Swedish massage is the most commonly practiced form of massage. Other types of massage include sports massage, Esalen massage, and deep tissue massage. Depending on the technique, sessions may last from 15 to 90 minutes. They are typically administered in a comfortable, quiet location. Soothing, repetitive, low-volume music or sounds may be played in the background.
In the US, massage therapist licensing requirements vary state to state. Some practitioners are licensed as other types of healthcare professionals, including nurses and physical therapists. Massage shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
In the US, massage therapist licensing requirements vary state to state. Some practitioners are licensed as other types of healthcare professionals, including nurses and physical therapists. Massage shouldn't be used in place of more proven therapies.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 08/07/2020 02:35:01. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
