When it comes to easing pain, many people turn to massage therapy as a natural remedy. But is it actually effective? A recent systematic review published in JAMA Network Open sheds light on the current state of research—and the results might surprise you.
What the Study Found
Despite hundreds of studies and systematic reviews, the evidence supporting massage therapy for a variety of painful conditions still isn’t solid. A team of researchers, led by Dr. Selene Mak from the Veterans Health Administration, reviewed studies on massage therapy for pain relief published from 2018 to 2023. While some studies suggest massage could help with conditions like low back pain, labor pain, and post-surgery recovery, the overall evidence remains uncertain.
What’s the Deal with the Evidence?
Out of the 129 systematic reviews examined, only 41 formally rated the quality of evidence. Seven of those found moderate-certainty evidence that massage could alleviate pain, while the rest were based on low- or very-low-certainty evidence. This means that while some people report feeling better after a massage, the science behind it doesn’t yet provide strong enough proof that it works for everyone or for all types of pain.
What We Need Moving Forward
Researchers agree that more high-quality, long-term studies are needed to determine how well massage therapy works compared to other treatments. They also stress the importance of tracking patients over extended periods (at least 6 months) to get a clearer picture of how effective it really is for chronic pain.
So, while massage therapy isn’t a magic cure, it might still offer some relief—especially when used alongside other proven treatments. But for now, the jury is still out, and the need for more research is clear.
Until then, if you enjoy a good massage, go ahead and treat yourself—but keep in mind that it’s just one part of the puzzle when it comes to managing pain.
