Mounting Evidence Suggests Massage Offers Broad Health Benefits,Experts say
Growing research indicates massage therapy is far more than a luxury,offering meaningful physiological and psychological benefits - from pain reduction and improved sleep to bolstering the immune system and easing anxiety. While historically viewed as an option treatment, experts are increasingly advocating for its integration into mainstream healthcare, citing its potential to address a wide range of conditions and improve overall wellbeing.
For years, the benefits of massage have been largely anecdotal.Though, a surge in scientific studies is now quantifying these effects, revealing how touch impacts the body on a cellular level. Experts like Dr. Mark Hyman, a functional medicine physician, emphasize the power of massage to address “highly translatable” benefits across diverse populations. The accessibility of massage, even in self-administered forms, is also gaining attention as a simple yet often overlooked intervention for promoting health.
according to Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, massage stimulates the release of oxytocin, often called the “cuddle hormone,” which reduces cortisol – the stress hormone – and enhances the immune system. Weisman recalls this interplay, noting the impact of “ness” on physiological responses. A related article in The Guardian highlights age-specific exercise considerations,reinforcing the need for tailored wellness approaches.
The benefits extend beyond immediate relaxation. Kuon emphasizes the essential nature of “some form of therapeutic touch,” suggesting even self-massage or a foot massage - as demonstrated in a November 2022 study published in menopause - can be beneficial. Caputo further expands accessibility by offering instructional videos, originally intended for children, to address common ailments like headaches and hand pain (available on YouTube here and here).
However, a key barrier to wider adoption remains perception. Levin argues against categorizing massage as “alternative medicine,” believing it carries a disparaging connotation. munk echoes this sentiment,advocating for inclusion in health insurance coverage to ensure accessibility “to as many people as possible” and solidify massageS role as a legitimate healthcare intervention.
