Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft tissue by a trained practitioner — distinct from the self-massage tools covered under Exercise Accessories.

What published research reports

The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that massage therapy has been studied for many conditions, with evidence suggesting short-term relief of low-back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and pain from osteoarthritis of the knee, as well as reduced anxiety in some settings; it describes many studies as small and short-term, with lasting effects less established. NCCIH reports the risk of serious harm is low when massage is given by a trained practitioner, with cautions listed for people with bleeding disorders, low platelet counts, blood-clot history, fractures and cancer involving the treated area.

References

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Massage Therapy: What You Need To Know. nccih.nih.gov