Beyond Relaxation: How Massage Therapy Supports Healing, Not Just Comfort, and Common Myths

One of many things that brings me joy is being a lifelong learner and challenging any bias I may have. So, let's dive into some ways massage could be viewed. Many think of a massage as a luxury, something to do on a spa day or after a stressful week. And yes, it does feel amazing! But here’s the truth! Massage therapy is so much more than relaxation. It becomes a powerful tool for healing, pain relief, and emotional well-being when practiced by trained professionals.

Let’s dive into some misconceptions.

Myth #1: Massage is just pampering

For a long time, massage therapy has been marketed as indulgent self-care. Think of scented candles, soft music, and cucumber water. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. The reality is that massage therapy, especially when provided by a licensed massage therapist (LMT), is based on anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), therapeutic massage has been shown to help with a wide range of health issues, from chronic lower back pain to fibromyalgia and even anxiety and depression. It’s not guesswork, but evidence-based care.

✅ A 2020 systematic review published in the journal “Pain Medicine” concluded that massage therapy significantly reduces pain intensity and improves function in individuals with chronic pain conditions.(Source: Pain Med. 2020;21(7):1388-1400.)

Myth #2: Massage Only Helps with Muscle Pain

Many people assume massage therapy is just for sore muscles. But research shows it can also support grief and a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Massage influences the nervous system by activating the parasympathetic response (rest and digest), reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increasing serotonin and dopamine, the body’s natural mood boosters. Massage also boosts Immune cells: Massage boosted several types of immune cells (lymphocytes), which can help fight off infections.

✅ A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that massage significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.(Source: J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(6):843-850)

✅ The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine also reported measurable increases in oxytocin and decreases in cortisol following just one session of therapeutic massage.(Source: J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(5):819-825)

Myth #3: There’s No “Real” Science or Research Behind Massage Therapy

Some skeptics still believe massage lacks scientific support. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Over the past 20 years, a growing body of peer-reviewed research has established massage as an evidence-based practice with measurable physiological benefits.

• Improves lymphatic flow

• Reduces inflammation and scar tissue formation

• Enhances flexibility and joint range of motion

• Helps with post-surgical recovery and soft tissue rehabilitation

Massage therapy is now widely integrated into hospital recovery programs, cancer centers, and veteran care facilities, a sign of its growing legitimacy in mainstream healthcare.

✅ A 2016 Cochrane Review found massage effective in reducing both short-term and long-term pain in patients with chronic low back pain compared to inactive treatments.(Source: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(9):CD001929)

Myth #4: It’s Not Safe for Complex Conditions

Another myth is that massage isn’t appropriate for people with complex medical conditions. In truth, many massage therapists can undergo specialized training to safely work with clients who have cancer, autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia, and arthritis, sometimes in partnership with medical professionals. Massage therapists must complete 24 hours of continued education for licensing renewal every two years, and here they can choose to get more specialized in various conditions.

✅ The Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic both incorporate massage therapy into integrative care programs for conditions like cancer, heart disease, and chronic pain.(Sources: Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine & Health; Cleveland Clinic Center for Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine)

Why These Myths Persist

For years, massage was either dismissed as a luxury or it was over spiritualized. But today’s massage therapists are health professionals who blend compassionate care with clinical skill.

Massage therapy is more than a feel-good indulgence instead, it’s an essential part of whole-body healing. From easing chronic pain to helping release emotional trauma stored in the body, it offers powerful support for both physical and mental health. And with existing research and new studies still emerging, we’re only beginning to understand just how helpful its benefits are in mental and physical health.