Headaches, especially tension-type headaches and those related to neck pain and trigger points, appear to respond well to massage therapy. Researchers found that patients experienced lower levels of pain and reduced frequency. All these findings support a systematic review that found massage can be as effective as pharmacological interventions for tension-type headaches. Massage therapy is so consistently helpful that it is recommended in clinical guidelines for headache care.

Research supports massage therapy for fibromyalgia, specifically for pain, anxiety, quality of life, and sleep.  The best results were seen with long-term treatments, so this suggests that people with fibromyalgia commit to several weeks of regular massage to derive the most benefit.

Massage by itself or in combination with aromatherapy, can be an effective strategy to help manage symptoms and improve function in people who have arthritis. Some studies looked at whole-body relaxation treatments, while others examined bodywork, including self-massage, targeted to the affected area.

Massage therapy has a surprisingly robust body of evidence showing benefits for people with depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mood-related challenges. Much of this research has been done in settings where depression, anxiety, and stress are part of a larger health picture (such as among hospital patients, or in the context of chronic pain), although one study looked at the effects of massage therapy on 70 women diagnosed with anxiety and depression who underwent a month of spa treatments; not surprisingly, their stress-related hormones and other biochemical changes suggested that massage can be helpful in this circumstance.

Sprains (torn ligaments) often respond well to massage therapy along with some movement therapy. Research has shown that stimulating nerves in the area of sprains can improve balance and stability, especially around the ankle.

A systematic review combining findings from dozens of studies found that massage therapy was helpful for CTS symptoms. This supports similar conclusions of studies that found patients with CTS who received massage had significant decreases in symptom severity and improvements in strength and function of their hands and wrists—especially in comparison with other interventions.

Many physicians recommend massage therapy, especially to the muscles of the lower leg, as part of treatment for plantar fasciitis. However, relatively little research has been done on this topic. One study compared massage and exercise to ultrasound and exercise, and found that massage led to longer-lasting relief for the participants, and a small systematic review found support for soft tissue mobilization to help patients with plantar fasciitis.

Much of the research about massage therapy as a way to manage sleep quality and insomnia has been done in the context of other conditions. For instance, one study found that massage helped reduce insomnia symptoms for women who are postmenopausal. A systematic review concluded that massage could improve sleep quality for women who are pregnant. Several studies find that massage helps people to sleep better while they deal with complex medical conditions such as breast cancer; congestive heart failure; or chronic health conditions in children.

Autoimmune diseases, including lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma, present challenges that massage therapy can address. Pain, fatigue, quality of life, mood, and self-efficacy (the belief that one can succeed and thrive in spite of obstacles) are all positively affected by massage for people who live with autoimmune diseases.

Sources:

1. Mooventhan, A., & Nivethitha, L. (2014). Effects of acupuncture and massage on pain, quality of sleep and health related quality of life in patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 5(3), 186–189. https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-9476.140484

2. Backus, D., Manella, C., Bender, A., & Sweatman, M. (2016). Impact of Massage Therapy on Fatigue, Pain, and Spasticity in People with Multiple Sclerosis: a Pilot Study. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 9(4), 4–13. https://doi.org/10.3822/ijtmb.v9i4.327

3. Field, T., Diego, M., Delgado, J., Garcia, D., & Funk, C. G. (2013). Rheumatoid arthritis in upper limbs benefits from moderate pressure massage therapy. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 19(2), 101–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.12.001

Painful menstruation, also called dysmenorrhea, is a leading reason for missed school and work. It has been the subject of substantial research, because massage therapy is a noninvasive, nonpharmaceutical, and low-risk option for women who struggle with painful cramps. One study found that connective tissue manipulation (a specialized type of bodywork on the back) was effective for menstrual pain. Another study compared this technique to foot reflexology; both interventions were equally helpful for symptoms, and benefits lasted at least through the following menstrual cycle. A meta-analysis that combined data from several studies concluded that abdominal aromatherapy massage was helpful for pain relief among women with menstrual cramps.

Source:

1. ÖZGÜL, S., Nalan ÇİNAR, G., GÜRŞEN, C., BARAN, E., ÜZELPASACI, E., NAKİP, G., Nur Gerlegiz, E., ÇELENAY, Ş. T., & AKBAYRAK, T. (2023). The Effects of Connective Tissue Manipulation in Primary Dysmenorrhea: a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), 30(1), 181–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-022-00964-5

2. Toprak Celenay, S., Barut, O., Karakus, A., & Alkan, A. (2023). Comparison of Connective Tissue Massage and Classic Massage in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 46(5), 305–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2024.09.005

3. Sut, N., & Kahyaoglu-Sut, H. (2017). Effect of aromatherapy massage on pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 27(NA), 5–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.01.001

4. Najaf Najafi, M., Najaf Najafi, N., Rashidi Fakari, F., Moeindarbary, S., Abdi, F., Sadat Hoseini, Z., & Ghazanfarpour, M. (2021). The Effect of Aromatherapy Alone or in Combination with Massage on Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, 43(12), 968–979. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1740210