We’ve listed 10 Ailments that massage therapy have been shown to help or improve from The Touch Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. All of these ailments when not treated in a timely manner reduce your own bottom line or the corporate bottom line. Does it really matter if you or an employee have these ailments due to work related issues? No, it is more important that these and many more ailments are treated properly and you lead a active life or your healthy corporate culture contributes to the company bottom line.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A regular massage treatment plan for stretching tendons alleviated pain and increased nerve conducting velocity following one month in adults with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Immediately following massage therapy, depressed mood, anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels were reduced. Following 10 days of massage therapy, fatigue related symptoms, particularly anxiety and somatic symptoms, were reduced, as were depression, difficulty sleeping and pain.  Stress hormone (cortisol) also decreased and dopamine increased.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Massage therapy (as compared to transcutaneous electrical stimulation) improved sleep patterns and decreased pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression and cortisol levels in adults with fibromyalgia..

Job Performance/Stress

Massaged adults showed 1) decreased frontal EEG alpha and beta power and increased delta power consistent with enhanced alertness; 2) math problems were completed in significantly less time with significantly fewer errors after the massage; and 3) anxiety, cortisol (stress hormone) and job stress levels were lower at the end of the 5 week period.

Migraine Headaches

Massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms and increased serotonin levels in adults with migraine headaches.

Back Pain

262 patients who had persistent back pain received Traditional Chinese Medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage, or self-care educational materials for up to 10 massage or acupuncture visits over 10 weeks. RESULTS: At 10 weeks, massage was superior to self-care on the symptom scale and the disability scale. Massage was also superior to acupuncture on the disability scale. The massage group used the least medications and had the lowest costs of subsequent care.

Exercise

Eighteen volunteers were randomly assigned to either a massage or control group. Delayed onset muscle soreness was induced with six sets of eight maximal eccentric contractions of the right hamstring, which were followed 2 hours later by 20 min of massage or sham massage (control). Peak torque and mood were assessed at  2, 6, 24, and 48 hour postexercise. Range of motion (ROM), intensity and unpleasantness of soreness were assessed at 6, 24, and 48 hour postexercise. Neutrophil count was assessed at 6 and 24 hour postexercise. RESULTS: Intensity of soreness was significantly lower in the massage group relative to the control group at 48 hour postexercise.

Headaches

This study examined the effects of massage therapy on chronic, non-migraine headaches.  Four chronic tension headache sufferers (aged 18-55 yrs) received structured massage therapy treatment directed toward the neck and shoulder muscles during a 4-wk period. RESULTS: Massage therapy reduced the number of weekly headaches. Headache frequency was significantly reduced within the initial week of massage treatment, and continued for the remainder of the study. A trend toward reduction in average duration of each headache event between the baseline period and the treatment period was also observed.

Pain

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to assess possible effects of massage as compared to listening to relaxation tapes on musculoskeletal pain. 129 patients suffering from long-term musculoskeletal pain were randomized to either a massage or relaxation group, and assessed before, during and after treatment. RESULTS: During treatment there was a significant improvement in self-rated health, mental energy, and muscle pain only in the massage group as compared to the relaxation group.

Overall Wellness

We have more muscle tissue in our bodies that any other tissue and it needs to be maintained properly. Massage therapy’s primary treatment is for the muscular system. By getting a massage at least once a month helps maintain the muscular system, which in turn helps maintain the other systems of the body. Each system supports the other and since the muscular system is the most abundant it has a major positive effect on the other systems of the body. Creating an overall healthy environment.