Massage therapy involves the systematic manipulation of soft tissues that has physiological, mechanical, and psychological benefits. It can be used to promote relaxation, relieve pain, reduce edema, increase range of motion, and prepare for sports. Common massage modalities include Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point, shiatsu, Thai, craniosacral, lymph drainage, and reflexology. Massage therapy has evidence-based medical uses for back pain, anxiety, depression, asthma, sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress, and drug abuse. It provides benefits to both patients by relieving pain and stress, and nurses by reducing work-related stress. Contraindications include cancer, pressure ulcers, wounds,

1. Massage Therapy
Jason Gabari
LMT RN PCCN

2. Definition of Massage
• “A systematic and scientific manipulation of
soft tissues of the body” (Davidson, 20) that
has physiologic, mechanical, and psychological
effects.

3. General Uses
• Relaxation
• Pain Relief
• Reduction of Edema
• Increases ROM
• Preparation for sporting events

4. Massage Modalities
• Swedish
• Deep Tissue
• Myofascial Release
• Trigger point
• Shiatsu
• Thai
• Cranio-Sacral
• Lymph Drainage
• Reflexology
• Hot Stone

5. Medical Uses Supported by Evidence Based
Practice
• Back Pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Asthma
• Sleep Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Drug Abuse

6. Cardiovascular Benefits
• “reflexology has an acute immediate
haemodynamic effect in healthy volunteers”.
(Thomson, 210)
• Decreases Cardiac Index
• Lowers Blood Pressure
• Stimulates Parasympathetic Nervous System

7. Effects on Pituitary Gland
• Increases Oxytocin Levels
• Decreases Argenine Vasopressin
• Decreases ACTH
• Decreases Cortisol

8. Benefits to Patients
• Increases patient satisfaction
• Relieves pain and stress
• Shows that the nurse is present and cares
• Can decrease unwanted noise
• Improve patients sleeping patterns

9. Benefits for Nurses
• Giving nurses massages during work hours
reduces stress related symptoms
• Improves posture
• Energizes nurses to endure 12 hour days

10. Contraindications
• Cancer
• Pressure Ulcers
• Wounds
• Acute Pain with Inflammation
• Bruises

11. References
• Davidson, E.J. (2005). Nurse massage therapy– a growing specialty. Virginia
Nurses Today, 13(2) 20.
• Engen, D.J. Whaner-Roedler, D.L., Vincent A., Chon, T.Y., Stephen, S., Luedthe, C.A,
Loehrer, L.L., Dion, L.J, Rodgers, N.J., & Bauer, B.A. (2012) Feasibility and
effect of chair massage offered to nurses during work hours on stress-
related symptoms: A pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical
Practice,18(4) 212-45.
• Jones, J., Thompson, P., Lauder W., Howie, K., Leslie, S.J. (2012). Reflexology has
an acute immediate haemodynamic effect in healthy volunteers: A double-
blind randomised control trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical
Practice,18(4) 204-11.
• Rapaport, M.H., Schettler, P., & Bresee, C. (2012). A preliminary study of the
effects of repeated massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune
function in healthy individuals: A study of mechanisms of action and dosage.
Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 18(8) 789-97.