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
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [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
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
