You’ve heard the saying, “Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.” But wouldn’t a more pleasant prescription be, “Have a massage and call me in the morning”? While massage may never replace traditional medicine, it has been found to be an effective complement to western treatment.
“Back when I was in massage school in the ’80s, the role of massage in public health practically didn’t exist. It was for people with a little money to burn,” says Ruth Werner, a licensed massage practitioner who is nationally certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork and author of A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology. “Within a very short period of time, people were talking about massage for health reasons. In 2009, the number of people using massage in healthcare has skyrocketed.”
And it’s not just stress and back pain being treated. Massage has been linked to the reduction or management of symptoms associated with many conditions. Here are just a few.
Fibromyalgia
Scientists aren’t sure what causes fibromyalgia, a syndrome characterized by chronic pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue and psychological distress, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. Another symptom associated with fibromyalgia is having areas of the body that cause pain when touched even lightly. So, it’s a wonder that massage is even possible—let alone helpful. But it is.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes fibromyalgia, a syndrome characterized by chronic pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue and psychological distress, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. Another symptom associated with fibromyalgia is having areas of the body that cause pain when touched even lightly. So, it’s a wonder that massage is even possible—let alone helpful. But it is.
“No one has really answered how massage helps fibromyalgia,” Werner says. “But it’s been found to increase the amount of time a person has in stage 3 and stage 4 sleep, which is difficult to get to with fibromyalgia. It’s also possible that massage ‘works out’ some of the pain-processing chemicals.”
Osteoarthritis
Nearly 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis, making it one of the most common forms of arthritis. Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, it’s caused by the breakdown of cartilage, the tissue between bones that allows joints to move easily and painlessly.
Nearly 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis, making it one of the most common forms of arthritis. Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, it’s caused by the breakdown of cartilage, the tissue between bones that allows joints to move easily and painlessly.
When pain occurs inside the joints, it’s natural for the body to want to protect itself. “Muscles around the affected joints tend to get tight in an effort to ‘splint’ the area, which actually only adds to the pain and reduces range of motion,” Werner says. “Massage isn’t going to fix arthritis, but it will help with the muscle pain and stiffness.”
Stress
A certain amount of stress is expected and even necessary, according to the American Institute of Stress. It can cause you to be alert, push you to do your best and even increase productivity. But too much stress can do the opposite.
A certain amount of stress is expected and even necessary, according to the American Institute of Stress. It can cause you to be alert, push you to do your best and even increase productivity. But too much stress can do the opposite.
“There is quite a bit of research out there about massage and the emotional component,” says Diana Thompson, a licensed massage practitioner and president of the Massage Therapy Foundation. “In school, we separate the mind and body, but literature shows that massage may be really good at helping with stress and anxiety.”
TMJ
Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) causes pain and limited mobility in the jaw, and affects more than 10 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. While not all causes are known, some include injury to the jaw, arthritis, certain dental procedures, infection, autoimmune disease, hormones and genetics.
Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) causes pain and limited mobility in the jaw, and affects more than 10 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. While not all causes are known, some include injury to the jaw, arthritis, certain dental procedures, infection, autoimmune disease, hormones and genetics.
A study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies in 2007 found a link between massage and the reduction of some TMJ-related symptoms, including pain, decreased mobility and jaw clicking. Of course, not all treatment works for everyone. The TMJ Association encourages patients to find out what works best for them.
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