What Is Therapeutic Massage?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionTypesTechniquesUsesBenefitsEffectivenessThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started

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Table of Contents

Definition

Types

Techniques

Uses

Benefits

Effectiveness

Things to Consider

How to Get Started

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What Is Therapeutic Massage?

Therapeutic massage is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice that is often used to treat muscle pain, injury, and stiffness. Massage therapy has also been used for the treatment of mental and emotional problems, includingstress, anxiety, anddepression.

Also considered arelaxation technique, massage therapy may be able to help reduce tension and elicit feelings of calm and deep relaxation. Additionally, massage may be able to curb feelings of fear and anxiety and assist in managing otherpanic disorder symptoms.

CAM practices have grown in popularity and are often used in combination with more traditional medical practices. Some other common CAM practices includeacupuncture,yoga, andaromatherapy.

Types of Therapeutic Massage

Massage therapists use their hands, forearms, and even elbows to work through various groups of muscles.Some massage therapists will also include aromatherapy oils and tranquil music to help create a peaceful and deeply relaxing experience.

What Therapeutic Massage Can Help With

Therapeutic massage is often used to help relieve muscle tension and pain. It may be used on its own, but it is also often used in conjunction with other traditional pain treatments. Therapeutic massage may also be helpful for helping people deal with symptoms of conditions including:

Therapeutic massage can help reduce muscle tension, which is why it may help relieve some symptoms that are associated with stress and anxiety.

Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Massage therapy can help the body relax, which in turn can help you let go of anxious and fearful thoughts. Massage can relieve muscle pain and tension, improve circulation, and increase flexibility. As a relaxation technique, massage therapy can work to help manage thefight-or-flight response, or stress reaction, that is typically overactive among people with anxiety disorders.

The fight-or-flight reaction is responsible for causing fearful thoughts and reactions that often far outweigh any actual threat in the environment. For example, people withagoraphobiaoften fear having apanic attackin a large crowd or a confined area where it would feel embarrassing or be difficult to escape.

Physical BenefitsLess muscle pain and tensionImproved circulation and flexibilityLower heart rateMental BenefitsFewer anxious thoughtsTamed fight-or-flight responseLower tension and more feelings of calm

Physical BenefitsLess muscle pain and tensionImproved circulation and flexibilityLower heart rate

Less muscle pain and tension

Improved circulation and flexibility

Lower heart rate

Mental BenefitsFewer anxious thoughtsTamed fight-or-flight responseLower tension and more feelings of calm

Fewer anxious thoughts

Tamed fight-or-flight response

Lower tension and more feelings of calm

There is evidence suggesting that massage therapy may be an effective adjunctive treatment for conditions such as depression and anxiety. For example:

Generally, massage therapy only has a few potentially adverse side effects. Many people experience some soreness throughout their body the first few days following a massage.

However, you should never feel pain or discomfort during or after a massage. Massage is also contraindicated for certain medical conditions. Always consult your doctor before getting a massage if you are unsure if it’s right for you.

Studies have supported the safety and effectiveness of utilizing massage therapy for stress, anxiety, and depression—but if you are experiencing panic attacks and other symptoms of panic disorder, talk to your doctor before trying this or other CAM therapies.

Your doctor will be able to assist you with conventionaltreatment options, such asmedicationand therapy. Massage may be beneficial in helping you manage your condition but is not a substitute for traditional medical care.Massage therapy may be incorporated into your standardtreatment planto assist you in coping with your symptoms.

Massage therapy is offered at many spas, salons, and wellness centers. However, as it continues to become a more mainstream treatment option for physical and mental health concerns, massage is now offered at many hospitals and clinics as well. Some insurance companies even cover massage therapy services.

When meeting with your massage therapist for the first time, make sure to discuss your medical history, including any mental health symptoms.

It is important to schedule these services with a licensed or certified massage therapist. This ensures that you will get treatment from a qualified practitioner who has followed the standards and requirements for their state licensure.

Licensed massage therapists can be found through website directories, including theNational Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodyworkand theAmerican Massage Therapy Association. Let the massage therapist know if you have any specific areas of concern and be sure to discuss what you hope to get out of the massage, such as muscle or stress relief.

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8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-50. doi:10.1002/da.20671National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy for health.NCCIH Clinical Digest for Health Professionals.Rezaeian T, Mosallanezhad Z, Nourbakhsh MR, Ahmadi M, Nourozi M.The impact of soft tissue techniques in the management of migraine headache: a randomized controlled trial.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):243-252. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.12.001National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy: What you need to know.Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043Li YH, Wang FY, Feng CQ, Yang XF, Sun YH.Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e89304. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0089304Falkensteiner M, Mantovan F, Müller I, Them C.The use of massage therapy for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression in oncological palliative care patients: A narrative review of the literature.ISRN Nurs. 2011;2011:929868. doi:10.5402/2011/929868Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-450. doi:10.1002/da.20671

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-50. doi:10.1002/da.20671National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy for health.NCCIH Clinical Digest for Health Professionals.Rezaeian T, Mosallanezhad Z, Nourbakhsh MR, Ahmadi M, Nourozi M.The impact of soft tissue techniques in the management of migraine headache: a randomized controlled trial.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):243-252. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.12.001National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy: What you need to know.Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043Li YH, Wang FY, Feng CQ, Yang XF, Sun YH.Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e89304. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0089304Falkensteiner M, Mantovan F, Müller I, Them C.The use of massage therapy for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression in oncological palliative care patients: A narrative review of the literature.ISRN Nurs. 2011;2011:929868. doi:10.5402/2011/929868Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-450. doi:10.1002/da.20671

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-50. doi:10.1002/da.20671National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy for health.NCCIH Clinical Digest for Health Professionals.Rezaeian T, Mosallanezhad Z, Nourbakhsh MR, Ahmadi M, Nourozi M.The impact of soft tissue techniques in the management of migraine headache: a randomized controlled trial.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):243-252. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.12.001National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy: What you need to know.Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043Li YH, Wang FY, Feng CQ, Yang XF, Sun YH.Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e89304. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0089304Falkensteiner M, Mantovan F, Müller I, Them C.The use of massage therapy for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression in oncological palliative care patients: A narrative review of the literature.ISRN Nurs. 2011;2011:929868. doi:10.5402/2011/929868Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-450. doi:10.1002/da.20671

Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-50. doi:10.1002/da.20671

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy for health.NCCIH Clinical Digest for Health Professionals.

Rezaeian T, Mosallanezhad Z, Nourbakhsh MR, Ahmadi M, Nourozi M.The impact of soft tissue techniques in the management of migraine headache: a randomized controlled trial.J Chiropr Med. 2019;18(4):243-252. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.12.001

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Massage therapy: What you need to know.

Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043

Li YH, Wang FY, Feng CQ, Yang XF, Sun YH.Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e89304. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0089304

Falkensteiner M, Mantovan F, Müller I, Them C.The use of massage therapy for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression in oncological palliative care patients: A narrative review of the literature.ISRN Nurs. 2011;2011:929868. doi:10.5402/2011/929868

Sherman KJ, Ludman EJ, Cook AJ, et al.Effectiveness of therapeutic massage for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial.Depress Anxiety. 2010;27(5):441-450. doi:10.1002/da.20671

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