Massage therapy for pain management
Massage Therapy for Pain Management
Chronic pain is something millions of people live with daily. Massage is one of the most accessible and beneficial ways to alleviate pain caused by persistent conditions.
Key takeaways:
Chronic pain is an epidemic, adversely affecting or limiting 1 in 5 people on a daily basis.
Massage is scientifically proven to alleviate chronic pain across a range of conditions.
Reliance on massage is increasing at a slower rate than chronic pain, suggesting a gap.
Misconceptions and cost prohibitions keep pain sufferers from accessing massage.
An estimated 50 million American adults live with some level of daily chronic pain—roughly one in five people. When polled, those suffering from chronic pain cited back, neck, hip and knee pains as both the most persistent and the most debilitating, as well as the most difficult to cope with. These pains limit mobility, lower quality of life and restrict activity—all of which perpetuate a further cycle of deterioration.
About 10% of the population will suffer from Plantar Fasciitis at some point during their lifetime. That’s a lot of people!
With a growing number of individuals suffering from chronic pain, there’s an equally growing movement for holistic treatment—namely, massage. Massage therapy for pain management is well-studied and vetted, and is applicable in both preventive and prescriptive capacities. It’s accessible and individualized. And, unfortunately, it’s also under-utilized.
Despite the many benefits of massage therapy for pain management, it remains an under-utilized medium of relief for sufferers. However, innovation within the field could soon make it more accessible and welcoming for those uncertain about it or apprehensive to it.
The science behind massage for pain
Massage therapy as a form of pain management is widely and comprehensively studied. Myofascial release for tension, palpation’s ability to improve Range of Motion (ROM) and trigger point therapy’s restorative effects on the joints are all well-documented. Moreover, massage is well-researched in the context of a variety of chronic pain conditions, including tension headaches, arthritis (osteo and rheumatoid), hypertension and even complications from diabetes.
This diversity of research into the efficacy of massage has culminated in a clearer understanding of the mechanisms by which massage delivers relief. These primarily boil down to the following:
Better blood flow. Better blood flow correlates to better oxygen delivery throughout the body, which plays a critical role in stimulating natural healing factors. Oxygenation at inflammation sites helps stimulate collagen production and the growth of new capillaries, while fighting off any infectious microbes.
Stress relief. The overproduction of cortisol—a “stress hormone”—is commonly one of the primary markers in cases of chronic pain. Massage’s therapeutic benefits trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine, to balance cortisol levels, thereby bringing relief and relaxation to the body.
Myofascial release. As people seek to safeguard themselves against pain, they inherently limit their mobility and reduce strain on the body. Stiff joints, aching muscles and limited mobility are all side effects of chronic pain. Massage therapy specifically identifies these points and palpates them, to induce release and relief.
This trifecta of massage benefits is uniquely positioned to provide relief to chronic pain patients. As the growing prevalence of chronic pain nears classification as an epidemic, it’s logical to assume that increased reliance on massage therapy would follow. Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily the case.
Massage by the numbers
“Most people generally believe that massage therapy is a better alternative to prescription drugs or surgery for pain management, so what are the barriers preventing people from turning to massage for pain management?” – Christian Mackin, CEO of Massage Robotics
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, roughly 25% of men and 21% of women seek massage therapy each year—figures that have risen very slightly over the past decade. And while a quarter and a fifth of the population (respectively) may seem like strong turnouts, further data shows significant barriers that prevent others from seeking relief through massage.
Less than 20% of individuals making less than $50k annually get massages.
This figure rises to 36% for individuals making more than $100k annually.
75% of men and 71% of women cite health and wellness as top reasons for massage.
However, only 25% of men and 28% of women seek massage for pain management.
Moreover, 63% of all massage appointments result from a doctor recommendation.
The data are clear: there are both financial and educational barriers to massage. Those with limited income can’t always afford to seek relief through massage therapy. Those who can and do recognize its wellness benefits don’t connect them to pain management. And, regardless of who’s seeking a massage for their health, they’re usually not apt to book an appointment without urging from a medical provider first.
Closing the gap between the growing number of individuals diagnosed with chronic pain and those aware of massage therapy as an outlet for relief begins with education. The role of demystifying massage and linking its benefits to a person’s specific condition currently falls to physicians. To make it more accessible, massage needs to become more inherently inviting—and more affordable.
The role of robotics in closing the gap
As it’s done in countless other fields, robotics has the power to transform the future of massage—specifically, from both cost and accessibility standpoints.
In terms of accessibility, massage robotics takes therapists out of the equation—and with them, the uncertainties that often hold people back from exploring massage. Fear of judgment, embarrassment, awkward situations or inappropriate behavior disappear when massage robots enter the fold. Massage quality isn’t compromised, either—the programmatic nature of machines opens the door to a new level of precision massage that’s largely unattainable from even the most skilled service providers.
Massage Robotics robotics massage table.
Thanks to the emerging robotics-as-a-service field, the cost of robot-administered massages is also likely to bring down the cost of massage therapy for pain management. Those making less than $50k annually will now have the access (and knowledge) they need to pursue massage as a wellness investment, instead of merely as an indulgence.
Taking care of the only bodies we’re given
There’s something ironic in the possibility of massage robots helping chronic pain patients better-manage their conditions and symptoms—using ageless, indispensable robots to care for priceless, one-of-a-kind bodies. Nevertheless, this is the way forward for an industry that’s more and more in demand by a growing population of chronic pain sufferers.
As challenges of cost, accessibility and even the availability of skilled professionals grow alongside demand, it’s clear there's a need for innovation in the field of massage. Massage robots present a clear opportunity: one that will advance the potential of massage therapy for pain management.