Stress relief

• The results of this study suggest that massage therapy is a beneficial tool for the health of nurses as it may reduce psychological stress levels. Bost N, Wallis M. The effectiveness of a 15 minute weekly massage in reducing physical and psychological stress in nurses. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2006 Jun-Aug; 23(4):28-33.
• Pain intensity and tension levels were significantly lower after massage and relaxation levels and overall mood state improved significantly after treatments in a study of practicing nurses.Katz, J.,  Wowk, A.,  Culp, D., Wakeling, H. Pain and tension are reduced among hospital nurses after on-site massage treatments: A pilot study. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Volume 14, Issue 3, June 1999, p 128-133.
• This study evaluated the effectiveness of an on-site chair massage therapy program in reducing anxiety levels of employees. For 15 minutes weekly, subjects either received a massage or were allowed a break, depending on their assignment to either the treatment or control condition. Shulman, K.R., Jones, G.E. The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy Intervention on Reducing Anxiety in the Workplace. Significant reductions in anxiety levels were found for the massage group.Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 32(2): 160-173; Jn 1996.

Pain reduction

• This study demonstrated that for older adults experiencing persistent pain, massage is associated with self-report of less limitation due to physical or emotional issues, better emotional health, more energy/less fatigue, better social functioning, and better overall health. Munk, N. Kruger, T.; Zanjani, F. Massage Therapy Usage and Reported Health in Older Adults Experiencing Persistent Pain. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Jul 2011, Vol. 17 Issue 7, p 609-616.
• Massage was shown to measurably reduce pain for patients with fibromyalgia. Field, T., Delage, J., Hernandez-Reif, M. Movement and massage therapy reduce fibromyalgia pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2003, p 49-52.
• By the end of the study, the massage therapy group, as compared to the relaxation group, reported experiencing less pain, depression, anxiety and improved sleep. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance, and their serotonin and dopamine levels were higher. Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Theakston, Krasnegor & Hillory, International Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 106, 2001, Issue 3-4.

Improved immune function

• Massage therapy caused a measurable biologic effect that likely leads to improved immune function. Rapaport, M., Schettler, P, Bresee, Catherine, A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Single Session of Swedish Massage on Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal and Immune Function in Normal Individuals. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicne, 2010 Oct; 16(10): 1079-1088.
• Massage is shown to reduce stress levels and measurable changes in biologic activity associated with improved immune system performance in breast cander patients. Hernandez-Reif, et. al, Breast cancer patients have improved immune and neuroendocrine functions following massage therapy, Journal of Pshychosomatic Research, Volume 57, Issue 1, July 2004, p 45-52.

Reduced headaches

• This study provides preliminary evidence for reduction in headache pain and disability with massage therapy that targets myofascial trigger points. Montalva, R. The Effects of Massage Therapy on Tension-Type Headaches: A Placebo Controlled Trial. Psychology, November 2006, p 109.
• A significant reduction in the frequency of tension-related headaches was achieved through massage on myofascial trigger points. Moraska, AF, Stenerson, L, Butryn, N, Krutsch, JP, Schimiege, SJ, Mann JD, Myofascial trigger point-focused head and neck massage for recurrent tension-type headache: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.  The Clinical Journal of Pain, 2015 Feb;31(2):159-68.