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Massage Therapy

Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report:

This report was done in 2010 and based on several controlled randomised trials regarding the effectiveness of some manual modalites, including massage therapy, to deal with a variety of musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal conditions. Most of the trials have been done between 2000 and 2009.

Here are the some conditions listed where massage therapy was tested:

Non-specific Low Back Pain, mechanical neck pain, shoulder pain, lateral epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip pain, knee pain, ankle and foot conditions, temporomandibular disorders, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, tension-type headache, cervicogenic headache, miscellaneous headache, asthma, pneumonia, vertigo, otitis media.

A review of the evidence for the effectiveness, safety, and cost of acupuncture, massage therapy, and spinal manipulation for back pain

This revien done in 2003 compare different randomized controlled trials on acupuncture, massage and spinal manipulation for back pain. Most of the RCTs had been done between 1995 and 2003.

So it is not the most recent RCTs. The conditions listed are covering the general back pain, from neck, mid-back and lower back pain. From acute to chronic pain.

Effects of massage therapy on sleep quality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

A study done in 2010 to show the effect of massage therapy on the sleep quality after a coronary bypass graft surgery.

It has been done on 57 patients and the results show improving patient recovery as massage therapy does reduce fatigue and improves sleep.

Trigger Point Therapy

Pilot study on massage therapy and trigger point therapy on chronic headache:

A pilot study made at the University of Colorado in 2008 shows changes in clinical parameters in patients with tension-type headache following a massage therapy and trigger point therapy treatment.

The study was done over two three weeks sessions. During the second three weeks period of this pilot study, the frequency of headache occurrences decreased, but it is important to note that following headaches experienced by participants were of reduced intensity and duration and these reductions persisted at least 3 weeks following massage therapy.

A case study done in 2011 of a medial epicondylosis (medial elbow pain) in a recreational squash player treated by massage and trigger point therapy. (In French and English)

A 35 year old male presented with medial elbow pain of 4–6 weeks duration that worsened after playing squash.

Treatment: cross friction massage, instrument assisted fascial stripping to the medial epicondyle area and over the belly of the pronator teres muscle, use of trigger point therapy in the pronator teres, active assisted compressions to the trigger point noted in the pronator teres, and mobilizations of the carpals, specifically the scaphoid. Instructions were given to the patient regarding icing the elbow and daily eccentric exercises.

At a one year follow up, the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms with no recurrence.

A study case of a patient with rotator cuff tear of the shoulder with myofascial pain syndrome, treated with trigger point therapy.

In this study case done in 2000, a patient came with a rotaror cuff tear of the shoulder 6 months after the onset of the trauma and couldn't bare any manual therapy. Gentle massage and trigger point therapy were applied on some of the shoulder muscle on a daily basis after 2-3 weeks. Followed by cortisol injection for another 2 weeks. 2 weeks later, the patient was nearly pain free.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

A RCT on the effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer.

A randomized controlled trial done women who had breast surgery and how manual lymph drainage, massage of scar tissue, and progressive active and action assisted shoulder exercises can be effective to prevent secondary lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer. this RCT has been done on 120 women between 2005 and 2007.