Often perceived as a mere indulgence, massage therapy is increasingly recognised by medical professionals as a powerful tool for enhancing both physical and emotional health. Research continues to uncover the profound, holistic effects of compassionate touch on the human body and mind.
More Than a Luxury: Massage in Modern Healthcare
While some view massage as a luxury treat, it has a long history as a component of healthcare. Niki Munk, a licensed massage therapist and associate professor at Indiana University Indianapolis, notes that it is now increasingly embedded within hospital care due to growing evidence and positive patient experiences supporting its advantages.
This shift is reflected in usage statistics. A 2022 National Health Interview Survey revealed that 8.5% of Americans used massage for their "overall health." Epidemiologist Jeff Levin from Baylor University, the study's first author, explains that the broad definition of "health"—encompassing physical, mental, and emotional states—makes massage appealing to a wide audience, though it also presents a challenge for traditional research seeking singular causal links.
Who Benefits Most from Therapeutic Touch?
Experts agree that nearly anyone can gain from massage therapy. Dr Carla Kuon, an associate professor of internal medicine at UCSF, was inspired to launch a massage service for adult patients after witnessing the success of a paediatric programme. A 2018 study on this service found it was "quite beneficial for distress, pain, tension, anxiety, fatigue and improved sleep."
"We all thrive on caring, compassionate touch," says Dr Kuon. She explains that pleasant touch sends safety signals to the brain, releasing natural endorphins that promote happiness. While anyone can benefit, she and Professor Munk suggest that individuals who experience less healthy touch in their daily lives—such as those with chronic conditions like long Covid or chronic fatigue syndrome—may feel the effects most profoundly.
Tangible Physical and Emotional Rewards
The physical benefits are wide-ranging. Rocco Caputo, a touch therapist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, uses massage to help patients re-establish a connection with their bodies, inducing a calming parasympathetic nervous state. Research at MSK found that massage provided long-term pain reduction for advanced cancer patients.
In other studies, Professor Munk's work with veterans showed that twice-weekly massage for 12 weeks led to significant improvements in pain severity, with benefits lasting three months. Another study demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in lower back pain after ten sessions.
The mechanisms are multifaceted. Professor Shane Phillips from the University of Illinois at Chicago co-authored research showing massage enhances blood flow and vascular function, even in limbs that were not massaged directly, suggesting a whole-body effect.
Emotionally, the impact is equally powerful. Dr Anne Weisman from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, found in her research that massage gave participants a renewed awareness of their bodies, boosting motivation and resilience. One participant remarked that it "reminded her of her human-ness," highlighting the profound psychological connection.
Making Massage Accessible for Everyone
Despite its benefits, the cost of professional massage can be a barrier. Experts stress that the core principle is therapeutic touch, which can be incorporated in other ways. Dr Kuon suggests that even self-massage or a simple foot massage can be beneficial. Rocco Caputo has created guided videos for self-care techniques to manage ailments like headaches.
There is a growing call to integrate massage more fully into mainstream healthcare. Jeff Levin argues against framing it as "alternative medicine," which can be disparaging, while Niki Munk advocates for health plans to cover massage therapy, making it "accessible to as many people as possible."
