How does your neck feel today?

While earlier research focused on pain relief, more recent research has included patient-centered outcomes as well. This randomized controlled study compared the effectiveness of three active therapies: deep tissue massage, supervised strengthening and stretching exercises, and a combined therapy consisting of exercise followed by massage, with advice to stay active as a control group.

Participants were allocated to massage (n = 145), exercise (n = 160), combined therapy (n = 169) or advice (n = 147). Treatment duration was six weeks, and the number of visits was limited to six for massage, exercise and combined therapy, and three for the advice group.

The results show that massage alone or with exercises was more effective in the short term than advice to reach a clinically meaningful improvement in pain intensity, and that massage and exercise alone were more effective in the mid-term.

Massage, exercise or a combination of both may encourage these kinds of reframing based on mechanisms beyond the immediate effects of deep tissue manipulation. The sense of empathy and care provision offered by massage therapy may increase patient satisfaction, reduce anxiety and distress, and facilitate a sense of self-efficacy.