Nurses and GPs should prescribe massages more, the study says
Research released last November is another step towards the scientific proof of just how powerful massage can be in treating a myriad of ailments safely and effectively. In fact, it suggested that health professionals, such as GPs and nurses, should be more active in including massages as part of treatment plans for illnesses ranging from back pains to stress and chronic conditions.
“Sadly, the majority of people in western populations, including doctors, have never experienced a professional massage,” says Professor Marc Cohen, from Australia’s RMIT University (see sb08/4 p44). “This presents an opportunity for spas to expand into vast new markets. Doctors need to become more educated about spa services and spas need to change their image from being providers of pampering and luxury to providers of an effective and essential therapeutic service.”
multiple benefits The study, which was commissioned by the Australian Association of Massage Therapy (AAMT) and conducted by RMIT University, is a review of 740 existing academic research papers focused on the therapeutic benefits of massage. The mix of Australian and international papers, which were published between 1978 and 2008, included a variety of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, comparative studies, case-series/studies and cross-sectional studies.
A number of massage disciplines were covered including acupressure, Bowen therapy, lymphatic drainage, myofascial release (see sb07/2 p78), reflexology, rolfing, Swedish massage, sports massage, infant massage, tui na and trigger point therapies.
The review found that there was moderate to strong evidence (grade a and b) to support massage therapy in six out of 28 conditions. It was found to be most effective in treating nausea and vomiting, anxiety, chronic disease management – especially lower back pain – delayed onset muscle soreness and pulmonary function.
Lead researcher, Dr Kenny Ng says it was also particularly helpful in relieving stress and aiding relaxation, as well as supporting “the wellbeing of patients with chronic and terminal diseases such as cancer”.
what’s next? Tricia Hughes, chief executive of AAMT, says: “There’s a growing body of research supporting massage therapy as being an evidence-based therapeutic modality. We certainly hope this report leads the way for future research in the field of massage therapy. This groundwork provides remedial massage therapists, complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and the broader allied health community with a basis to pursue evidence-based practice.”
The promising benefits of massage therapy for infants and people with specific health conditions were highlighted as two areas to further explore. It was also suggested that more research is required to determine the benefits of massage in people with depression and post-natal depression, labour pain, fibromyalgia, premenstrual syndrome, urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis, myofascial pain and osteoarthritis in the knee.
Cohen adds: “There’s also a need to explore the economic benefits – reduced healthcare costs and increased industrial productivity – of providing massage services to people experiencing significant stress and other chronic conditions.”
*Dr Ng, K & Professor Cohen, M. The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy: A Summary of Evidence-Based Research. RMIT University, Australia, November 2011
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2012 issue 3
Ask an expert: Corporate wellness
Wellness programmes for corporate employees is a lucrative and growing market. What can spas do to tap into this possible new revenue generator?
Training: Anne Bramham
ASTECC is the sole spa training organisation working with Montage. Founder Anne Bramham explains what makes them stand out
Resort spa: Castles & dreams
Jennifer Harbottle looks round The Chateau – an organic wellness resort modelled on a French castle but located in the Malaysian rainforest
Mother & Baby spas: Latching on
Independent, wealthy women are redefining motherhood. Mari Stevens investigates this new emerging group
City focus – Chicago: Chicagoland
Lisa Starr takes a look at a cross-section of spas in Chicago and how they differentiate themselves in the thriving urban spa location
Summit review: Outside the box
The sixth Global Spa & Wellness Summit in Aspen hosted a number of expert speakers. Katie Barnes reports
Spa tourism – Madeira: Madeiran Marvel
The Portuguese island of Madeira holds much promise as a wellness destination. Anni Hood finds out about its spa tourism strategy
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Nurses and GPs should prescribe massages more, the study says
Research released last November is another step towards the scientific proof of just how powerful massage can be in treating a myriad of ailments safely and effectively. In fact, it suggested that health professionals, such as GPs and nurses, should be more active in including massages as part of treatment plans for illnesses ranging from back pains to stress and chronic conditions.
“Sadly, the majority of people in western populations, including doctors, have never experienced a professional massage,” says Professor Marc Cohen, from Australia’s RMIT University (see sb08/4 p44). “This presents an opportunity for spas to expand into vast new markets. Doctors need to become more educated about spa services and spas need to change their image from being providers of pampering and luxury to providers of an effective and essential therapeutic service.”
multiple benefits The study, which was commissioned by the Australian Association of Massage Therapy (AAMT) and conducted by RMIT University, is a review of 740 existing academic research papers focused on the therapeutic benefits of massage. The mix of Australian and international papers, which were published between 1978 and 2008, included a variety of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, comparative studies, case-series/studies and cross-sectional studies.
A number of massage disciplines were covered including acupressure, Bowen therapy, lymphatic drainage, myofascial release (see sb07/2 p78), reflexology, rolfing, Swedish massage, sports massage, infant massage, tui na and trigger point therapies.
The review found that there was moderate to strong evidence (grade a and b) to support massage therapy in six out of 28 conditions. It was found to be most effective in treating nausea and vomiting, anxiety, chronic disease management – especially lower back pain – delayed onset muscle soreness and pulmonary function.
Lead researcher, Dr Kenny Ng says it was also particularly helpful in relieving stress and aiding relaxation, as well as supporting “the wellbeing of patients with chronic and terminal diseases such as cancer”.
what’s next? Tricia Hughes, chief executive of AAMT, says: “There’s a growing body of research supporting massage therapy as being an evidence-based therapeutic modality. We certainly hope this report leads the way for future research in the field of massage therapy. This groundwork provides remedial massage therapists, complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and the broader allied health community with a basis to pursue evidence-based practice.”
The promising benefits of massage therapy for infants and people with specific health conditions were highlighted as two areas to further explore. It was also suggested that more research is required to determine the benefits of massage in people with depression and post-natal depression, labour pain, fibromyalgia, premenstrual syndrome, urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis, myofascial pain and osteoarthritis in the knee.
Cohen adds: “There’s also a need to explore the economic benefits – reduced healthcare costs and increased industrial productivity – of providing massage services to people experiencing significant stress and other chronic conditions.”
*Dr Ng, K & Professor Cohen, M. The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy: A Summary of Evidence-Based Research. RMIT University, Australia, November 2011
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2012 issue 3
Ask an expert: Corporate wellness
Wellness programmes for corporate employees is a lucrative and growing market. What can spas do to tap into this possible new revenue generator?
Training: Anne Bramham
ASTECC is the sole spa training organisation working with Montage. Founder Anne Bramham explains what makes them stand out
Resort spa: Castles & dreams
Jennifer Harbottle looks round The Chateau – an organic wellness resort modelled on a French castle but located in the Malaysian rainforest
Mother & Baby spas: Latching on
Independent, wealthy women are redefining motherhood. Mari Stevens investigates this new emerging group
City focus – Chicago: Chicagoland
Lisa Starr takes a look at a cross-section of spas in Chicago and how they differentiate themselves in the thriving urban spa location
Summit review: Outside the box
The sixth Global Spa & Wellness Summit in Aspen hosted a number of expert speakers. Katie Barnes reports
Spa tourism – Madeira: Madeiran Marvel
The Portuguese island of Madeira holds much promise as a wellness destination. Anni Hood finds out about its spa tourism strategy
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
