Benefits of Massage:
We must learn to practice the art of slowing down. The most precious gift we have been given is our bodies. We must take good care & nurture ourselves as much as possible. When we do this regularly, it has a positive impact on our health (body), emotions (mind), & how we connect to the universe (spirit). When we give ourselves time to relax, we are able to receive and enjoy more of life. The benefits of massage are many. Some of the most important being, relief of stress, tension & fatigue, promoting a sense of relaxation, renewed energy and well-being. Massage also reduces muscle soreness, increases mobility & can bring relief to acute chronic pain. Incorporating it into your regular health routine can prevent injury & bring vitality to your life.

Massage Therapy Research:

The Massage Therapy Foundation advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education and community service.

The therapeutic benefits of massage continue to be researched and studied. Recent research has shown the effectiveness of massage for the following conditions:
* Cancer-related fatigue.1
* Low back pain.2
* Osteoarthritis of the knee.3
* Reducing post-operative pain.4
* Boosting the body’s immune system functioning.5
* Decreasing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.6
* Lowering blood pressure.7
* Reducing headache frequency.8
* Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.9
* Decreasing pain in cancer patients.10

1. Currin, J. Meister, E.A. (2008) A hospital-based intervention using massage to reduce distress among oncology patients. Cancer Nurs. 31(3):214-21. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18453878?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
2. Preyde M. (2003) Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Soft Tissue Manipulation, 8, 4 – 10.
3. Perlman AI, Sabina A, Williams AL, Njike VY, Katz DL. (2006) Massage Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Arch Intern Med. 166(22):2533-8.
4. Piotrowski, M., Paterson, C., Mitchinson, A., Kim, H. M., Kirsh, M., Hinshaw, D. B. (2003) Massage as Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Acute Postoperative Pain: A Preliminary Study in Men. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 197(6), 1037-1046.
5. Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P., Bresee, C. (2010) 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 Medicine, 16(10), 1-10.
6. Field, T., Diego, Miguel, Cullen, Christy, Hartshorn, Kristin, Gruskin, Alan, Hernandez-Reif, Maria, Sunshine, William. (2004). Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are lessened following massage. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 8:9-14. http://www.massagetherapyfoundation.org/pdf/Massage%20and%20carpal%20tunnel%20syndrome.pdf
7. Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, Krasnegor J, Theakston H, Hossain Z, Burman I (2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31 – 38.
8. Quinn C, Chandler C, Moraska A. Massage Therapy & Frequency of Chronic Tension Headaches. (2002) American Journal of Public Health. 92(10):1657-61
9. Reader M, Young R, Connor JP. (2005) Massage therapy improves the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. J Altern Complement Med. 11(2):311-3. PMID: 15865498.
10. American College of Physicians. (2008) Massage Therapy May Have Immediate Positive Effect On Pain And Mood For Advanced Cancer Patients. Science Daily 16 September. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915174534.htm

AMTA 2011 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet:
* Twenty-nine (29) percent of adult Americans who had a massage between July 2009 and July 2010 received it for medical or health reasons.
* Of those that have ever had a massage, fifty-four (54) percent say they’ve used massage therapy at least one time for pain relief.
* Of the people who had at least one massage in the last five years, 31 percent reported they did so for health conditions such as pain management, injury rehabilitation, migraine control, or overall wellness.
* Eighty-six (86) percent agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain.
* Eighty-five (85) percent agree that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness.