Massage Therapy as Part of Recovery

Quick answer: Massage therapy can be part of recovery, but the evidence is modest. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says there is only weak evidence that massage helps low-back pain.

It can give short-term relief of neck pain if sessions are long enough and frequent enough. The risk of harmful effects appears to be low. If you are in Midtown Manhattan and considering massage after an injury, here is what the federal research summary says.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis.

What is massage therapy?

NCCIH says massage therapy involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. It is used to help manage a health condition or to enhance wellness.

The term covers many techniques. NCCIH says the most common form in Western countries is Swedish, or classical, massage. Other styles include sports massage and clinical massage aimed at specific goals, such as releasing muscle spasms.

Does massage help low-back pain?

NCCIH says several evaluations of massage for low-back pain have found only weak evidence that it may be helpful.

It cites a 2015 review of 25 studies that found short-term improvements in pain after massage, in both acute and chronic low-back pain. Because the studies were low quality, the reviewers said they had “very little confidence” that massage is an effective treatment for low-back pain.

NCCIH also notes that 2017 American College of Physicians guidelines included massage as an option for acute or subacute low-back pain, but not for chronic low-back pain.

Does massage help neck pain?

NCCIH cites a 2016 review of four U.S. studies that found massage could provide short-term relief of neck pain, if the sessions were long enough and frequent enough.

It also cites a 2013 review in which massage was more helpful for neck and shoulder pain than inactive therapies, but not more effective than other active therapies. For shoulder pain, the benefits were short-term only.

What does the evidence look like overall?

Condition	What NCCIH reports
Low-back pain	Only weak evidence that massage may help
Acute or subacute low-back pain	Included as an option in 2017 American College of Physicians guidelines
Chronic low-back pain	Not included in those guidelines
Neck pain	Short-term relief if sessions are long and frequent enough
Neck and shoulder pain	Better than inactive therapies, not better than other active therapies
Safety	Risk of harmful effects appears low

Is massage therapy safe?

NCCIH says the risk of harmful effects from massage therapy appears to be low.

There have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as a blood clot, nerve injury or bone fracture. NCCIH says some of these cases involved vigorous types of massage, such as deep tissue massage, or people at increased risk of injury, such as elderly people.

How should massage fit into your care?

NCCIH gives two tips:

• Don’t use massage therapy to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
• If you are unsure whether massage is appropriate for you, discuss it with your health care provider.

After a car accident or a work injury, that means getting examined first. Then you and your provider can decide whether massage belongs in your plan.

What should you tell your massage therapist?

• Where it hurts, and when the pain started.
• Whether the pain followed a crash or a work injury.
• Any health conditions, medications, or history of blood clots.
• Whether you would prefer lighter pressure.

What other options are there?

NCCIH reviews several nondrug approaches for pain. Read what spinal manipulation can and can’t do and acupuncture for back and neck pain.

If your neck hurts after a crash, see whiplash and neck pain after a crash.

Why choose Nexus Spinal Care for massage therapy in Midtown Manhattan?

Nexus Spinal Care offers massage therapy alongside chiropractic care and pain management at 211 East 43rd Street, Suite 741, in Midtown Manhattan.

Dr. Jean V. Laine, D.C. speaks English, Creole, French and Spanish.

Call (302) 590-8218 or see how to reach the office.