There is a considerable bulk of research-backed benefits for massage therapy, but there are also claims for what massage can help with that do not have any backing as well. We are going to list the research proven benefits in here.

 

 

Please be aware that this is a list and not a comprehensive breakdown. If you are looking for a specific breakdown of conditions that may be helped with a massage therapy treatment, checkout our Frequently Asked Questions page as that is contained there.

 

One of the claims that I see often for massage is that it helps with weight loss. I cannot stress that there is zero research to back up this claim. I believe that the people who say that they have experienced weight loss results may be mislead by the effects of water loss taking place during their treatment. This water loss could be experienced through tissue dehydration from the work being done or sweating (both from the work being done or the sheets and blankets covering your body which traps heat underneath). The bottom line is that massage is not a true and effective form of weight loss.

This touches upon an interesting point.. how can some people experience specific types of benefits when others will not? While there may be many reasons specific to the individual either: physically, emotionally, or socially; I believe that the main reason is simply in how that individual wants their treatment to impact them. Here I am talking about potentially causing a placebo effect to take place.

My point with bringing up the above is to simply say that you should be skeptical of anyone claiming to have a result that is not on the below list. Skepticism is healthy.

Now comes the list that was promised. Each effect has concrete backing but I will not be providing links to that here, that would make this list much more bloated and hard to go through. If you would like me to link you to the backing, you will have to contact me via email with the specific benefit or effect that you are questioning and I will be more than happy to do so.

Soft Tissue Effects:

— increased connective tissue mobility

— increased muscle resiliency

— increased muscle extensibility

— increased postural awareness

— decreased ligament restrictions

— decreased scarring

— decreased signs of inflammation

— decreased trigger point activity

— promotion of tendon and muscle healing

— separation and lengthening of fascia

— promotion of dense connective tissue remodeling

— balance of agonist / antagonist muscle function

— ease and efficiency of movement

— normalized postural alignment

— enhanced muscle performance

— secondary to the enhancement of muscle extensibility, enhancement of joint mobility, normalization of joint integrity, reduction of pain, reduction of muscle spasm, reduction of resting tension, reduction of trigger point activity, etc.

 

Structural & Joint Effects:

— increased postural awareness

— increased joint mobility

— increased active range of motion

— increased joint integrity

— decreased capsular restrictions

— decreased signs of inlammation of the joint capsule

— decreased joint effusion (abnormal accumulation of fluid)

— ease and efficiency of movement

— normalized postural alignment

 

Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Gastrointestinal Effects:

— increased arterial supply

— increased venous return

— increased lymphatic return

— increased respiration / gaseous exchange

— increased airway clearance / mobilization of secretions

— help to normalize irregular breathing

— increased airway clearance

— increased perceived relaxation

— increased ventilation

— increased rib cage mobility

— decreased edema (swelling)

— decreased blood pressure

— stimulated peristalsis (aids digestion)

 

Multisystem Effects:

— normalized sensation

— secondary effect from easing of nerve root compression due to fascial restrictions, trigger points, and postural malignment

— pain reduction

— through primary treatment of dysfunction

— i.e. active trigger points

— decreased perception of pain

— through systemic sedation

— reduction in “negative” / stress hormones

— i.e. cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine

— systemic sedation

— increased perceived relaxation

— increased levels of “positive” hormones

— i.e. serotonin and dopamine

— increased ability to self-monitor the physical and psychological effects of stress

— improved mood

— improved body image and physical self-acceptance

— stimulated immune function

— improved quality and length of sleep

— enhanced mental focus

— promoted weight gain and overall development for high-risk infants

— improved sensory organization and increased vagal activity

— enhanced alertness