We see the terms “evidence-based practice”—and sometimes its cousin “science-based practice”—pop up often in massage therapy forums. It’s not uncommon to see massage therapists sharing research from various sources in their discussions. This shift is a decidedly good thing. As healthcare providers, we should strive to critically evaluate our own
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
Jason is a 47-year-old man who loves to work around the house. If there’s grass to be cut, gutters to be cleaned, or Christmas decorations to be hung, he’s your guy. His lawn is the envy of his neighbors, and he beams at his twinkling lights, but the next morning
Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans are the primary insurance providers for approximately 68 million Americans. Original Medicare plans (Parts A and B) do not generally cover massage therapy as they consider it to be an “alternative and complementary medicine” practice and thus not medically necessary. That said, if massage therapy
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
Ankylosing spondylitis, or AS, is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine. It causes pain, stiffness and eventually fusion of your vertebrae. One of the hallmark signs of this disease is called “bamboo spine” because the vertebrae look like bamboo shoots when they fuse together. Ankylosing spondylitis can
Gout athritis can bring sudden and intense pain at your joints, particularly the big toe, ankles, elbows, wrists, fingers, and knees. While traditional treatments typically involve medication and dietary changes, massage therapy could be used to alleviate severe pain from flare ups. While the Arthritis Foundation recommends getting a regular
Massage therapy is well-known to reduce body aches and promote relaxation, and its benefits may extend further for those with osteoarthritis. While massage therapy shows promise in pain reduction, its effectiveness can vary depending on the severity of the condition and individual factors, such as lifestyle, genetics, prior experience with
Arthritis refers to different types of joint diseases that are characterized by pain, inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. These include: Osteoarthritis – Degenerative joint disease caused by cartilage wear and tear Rheumatoid arthritis – An autoimmune disorder that targets joint lining Psoriatic arthritis – Arthritis associated with