Key takeaways: Prior plausibility: Evaluate how a claim aligns with established science. For example, “human energy fields” lack solid biological or physical foundations, making them low in plausibility—unlike massage’s impact on nervous and immune systems, which is far more plausible Methodology: Focus on the methods and results sections—they’re the least
Clinical equipoise means that clinicians and researchers honestly don’t know which treatment is better. Therefore, no researcher favors one treatment over another during the experiment design, which reduces the risk of bias. If one treatment is already known to be better, it would be unethical to give someone the inferior
Swedish massage often brings to mind a relaxing experience in a spa-like setting, maybe with white robes, low lighting, aromatherapy, and bliss. While the techniques do have roots in Sweden, it became a catch-all term for generic relaxation massage, typically slow gentle strokes with a lubricant, such as oil or
A 2024 systematic review of 17 systematic reviews found that the evidence and certainty of massage therapy for 13 pain conditions to be predominately “low” or “very low.” “There were only a few conditions for which [the] authors of systematic reviews concluded that there was at least moderate-certainty evidence regarding
A group of British, Australian, and Finnish researchers identified eight clinical trials that skew the results of 32 systematic reviews and 10 clinical practical guidelines for spinal pain, according to their study published in The Journal of Pain in 2023. These trials examine cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or physical therapy for
A group of European, Australian, and U.S. researchers identified several factors that reduce the trustworthiness of pain research, according to a review published in The Journal of Pain in 2025. These factors include: Failure to meet current standards of governance and integrity Undeclared or poorly managed conflicts of interest Unethical
Most chronic pain explanations are often attributed to biomechanics, physiological factors or both. Not surprisingly, most treatments are often based on these reasons, such as surgery, medications, posture correction, and joint manipulation. However, a group of researchers—led by Dr. Lene Vase from Aarhus University in Denmark—highlighted core principles of psychological
A team of researchers from Australia, Brazil, and the U.K. recommended several changes to the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines for low back pain and sciatica because some of the guidelines “are not in line with the most recent evidence.” According to their editorial published in
For decades, many physicians and manual therapists believed osteoarthritis pain was rooted primarily in the joints. However, research in the past 20 years is pointing toward the brain and spinal cord as key players in how pain is felt and processed, including different types of arthritis. A 2025 review published
Traditionally, massage and other manual therapists are taught mostly the biological aspects of treating joint pain, such as anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology. However, some physiotherapists and pain researchers have been advocating for a broader approach to patient care. They wrote in an editorial published in British Journal of Sports Medicine
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and is often accompanied by fatigue, sleep issues, tenderness, stiffness, and mood changes. It can significantly impact quality of life, limiting the ability to work, engage in daily activities, and maintain social relationships. Fibromyalgia affects about 0.2% to 6.6% of the
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects your joints and skin. The hallmark symptoms are joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and joint injury. This type of arthritis typically occurs in people with psoriasis, and the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis among them is about 30%. Other risk factors include