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# Massage & Fitness Magazine

Bridging research with hands-on practice.

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## Posts

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- [What Is active stretching and its benefits?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/active-stretching/) - Active stretching is where you take a muscle group you want to stretch and contract its opposite muscle group without using external support. The objective isn’t necessarily to increase your flexibility; rather, it’s a way to prepare for the upcoming activity. For example, if you want to stretch your hamstrings, you lie on the floor
- [Hyperbolic stretching review: Does science support Its claims?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/hyperbolic-stretching-review/) - Hyperbolic Stretching is a rising star in the world of “next best thing” in fitness programming. The gender-specific program is based on the idea that full-body flexibility can be transformed in four weeks (eight minutes per day!) and that men and women need different stretching techniques to achieve their fitness goals. The program boasts that
- [Does static stretching help improve strength and performance?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/static-stretching/) - Static stretching is a type of stretch where you hold the lengthening position of a muscle for a period of time. While many have followed the stretching ritual before a workout for many years, scientific research in the past decades has found that static stretching has mixed results in improving strength and athletic performance. A
- [Are active and passive stretching worth your time?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/passive-stretching/) - A 2025 study published in PLOS One examined how passive and active warm-up methods interact with stretching to improve flexibility and muscle performance. The researchers Hitier et al. examined a group of competitive athletes who completed three different warm-ups: An active warm-up involving cycling and submaximal muscle contractions A passive warm-up in a heated environment,
- [Scientists disagree over whether brain scans, biomarkers should be used to validate chronic pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/scientists-disagree-over-whether-brain-scans-biomarkers-should-be-used-to-validate-chronic-pain/) - An editorial in Nature Neuroscience argued that biological tests, such as brain scans and biomarkers, do not prove or disprove a person’s pain. However, a responding researcher said that doesn’t make biomarkers “futile or conceptually flawed.” Lead pain researcher Jan Vollert at the University of Exeter and 10 colleagues argued that the complex biopsychosocial nature
- [Perceived discrimination increases risk of chronic pain, more so if you're older, study finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/perceived-discrimination-increases-risk-of-developing-chronic-pain/) - Does having perceived discrimination increase the risk of chronic pain? Some researchers think so. Perceived discrimination is a person’s subjective experience of unfair treatment or negative attitudes based on their ethnicity, race, gender, age, body size, disability, and other characteristics. Discrimination is also defined as “process by which a member, or members, of a socially
- [Pain descriptors offer insight but fall short in guiding treatment, researchers say](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain-descriptors-offer-insight-but-fall-short-in-guiding-treatment/) - The International Association of Pain Society (IASP) have introduced the term “nociplastic pain” in 2017 to describe chronic pain that does not fit into the other two existing pain descriptors: neuropathic and nociceptive. However, putting the new term into practice can be challenging since nociplastic pain does not have a specific cause. In 2025, researchers
- [People in pain report more frequent perceived discrimination than those without pain, study finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/perceived-discrimination-pain-frequency/) - A 2022 study of 5,871 people in England found those with pain “are more likely to report discrimination than those without pain, and this experience is associated with increased depression and loneliness.” This population with perceived discrimination predicts “greater depressive symptoms and loneliness over 6-year follow-up,” the researchers wrote. Scott and her colleagues Dr. Ruth
- [20 Causes of Pelvic Pain in Women and When to Get Help](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pelvic-pain-women/) - Pelvic pain in women or anyone with a uterus can come from your digestive, reproductive, or urinary system. Several diagnoses share pelvic pain as a symptom, and pelvic pain could be caused by: Period cramps Endometriosis Pelvic inflammatory disease Cancer Kidney stones Diverticulitis Appendicitis Some STDs Ovarian cysts Ectopic pregnancy People may also experience pelvic
- [Trunk muscle activity may not explain lifting-related low back pain, studies find](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/trunk-muscle-activity-may-not-explain-lifting-related-low-back-pain-studies-find/) - Trunk muscle activity may not play a major role in explaining lifting-related low back pain among manual workers, according to a 2025 study published in Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. The findings challenge a long-standing assumption in occupational health and rehabilitation that people with low back pain change the way they activate their trunk muscles
- [Posture assessments are ‘irreproducible’ and unreliable in finding who has low back pain, studies find](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/standing-posture-is-unreliable-and-irreproducible-in-identifying-who-has-low-back-pain/) - A 2018 study found that using standing posture assessments to find whether someone has low back pain to be “irreproducible.” The researchers of this study, led by Dr. Hendrik Schmidt from Charité–Universitätsmedizinin Berlin wrote that such lack of reproducible results can lead to misinterpretation of imaging measurements, wrong diagnoses and possibly unnecessary treatment for pain.
- [Keynote speaker Dr. Eyal Lederman kicks off at 2016 RMTBC Manual Therapy Conference](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/dr-eyal-lederman-kicks-off-as-keynote-speaker-at-manual-therapy-conference/) - During and after last month’s San Diego Pain Summit, my brain was overloaded with information that changed some of my own beliefs and perceptions about pain. For those who could not get enough of the pain science and manual therapy, the 2016 Manual Therapy Conference (MTC) in New Westminster, B.C., is one such event with
- [2016 San Diego Pain Summit rocked its second year with Dr. Robert Sapolsky](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/2016-pain-summit-rocked-san-diego-with-its-second-year/) - It has been a week since the second San Diego Pain Summit is over, yet I am still tingling with the experiences, knowledge, and camaraderie that I made with old and new colleagues and friends. Walking into Marina Village at the San Diego Bay area was like stepping back in time to the 2015 Pain Summit.
- [Sweat is about 99% water, 1% minerals, 0% toxins, research finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/sweat-is-mostly-water-wee-amounts-of-minerals-toxins-hardly/) - Unless you are exposed to high levels of industrial chemicals, such as chloride, mercury, and lead almost daily in your work or living environment, your sweat hardly have any “toxins.” Sweat is about 99% water with 1% minerals and other compounds. One study of seven people found that sweat contains trace amounts of metals, including
- [Unstable surface training also follows SAID principle, researchers find](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/unstable-surface-training-gets-specific-and-adaptive/) - Recent research reveals that specific balance exercises do not carry over to a variety of balancing skills. Based on the SAID principle (specific adaptation to impose demands), you get better at specifically what you train to do. For example, balancing on a wobble board would help you maintain better balance on a skateboard than training
- [Volume, frequency, tempo: Why how you train matters more than lifting heavy weights](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/do-you-need-to-lift-heavy-to-get-bigger-muscles/) - Current research finds that you don’t need to lift heavy weights like the beefiest guy at the gym to get bigger muscles. A 2022 umbrella review of 14 meta-analyses reported that training volume and frequency may matter more than how heavy you lift. Volume When other variables are held constant, higher volume increases time-under-tension, which
- [Mechanical loading still reigns for muscle hypertrophy, scientists say. Hormones, ‘pump,’ not so much](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/mechanical-loading-muscle-hypertrophy/) - Key takeaways Mechanical tension and mechanotransduction are currently the strongest evidence-based explanations for how muscles get bigger. Current evidence suggests that anabolic hormones, cell swelling (“pump”), and metabolites have little to no effect on muscle hypertrophy. A Canadian exercise scientist suggests a few ways for academics and others to disseminate better information. ~~~~ Several Canadian
- [How do muscles contract without changing length?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/how-do-muscles-contract/) - Although we still have a lot to learn about how muscles contract, we do understand the basics of how the nervous system initiates a series of actions that contract a muscle. What about muscle movements that we don’t consciously decide to make, like breathing, digestion, and heartbeats? And what about muscle spasms? The secret behind
- [Pros and cons of balance training for strength, power, injury risk reduction](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/balance-training-exercise/) - Walk into any gym, and you’ll likely find a variety of balance equipment stacked on racks or strewn about the floor, like wobble boards, BOSU balls, and foam pads. But how effective is balance training for improving athletic performance and injury recovery? Let’s see what the research says. Strength and power A 2015 systematic review
- [Why low back pain patients still want imaging, despite evidence shows it doesn’t help much](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/back-pain-imaging/) - Even as clinical guidelines discourage routine imaging for low back pain, many patients continue to ask for MRIs, X-rays, or CT scans. Not necessarily for diagnosis, but for something harder to measure: reassurance. A 2025 study published in BMC Primary Care suggests that imaging is less about medical necessity and more about feeling certain, validated,
- [Researchers challenges ‘get stronger’ message in pain treatment](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/researchers-challenges-get-stronger-message-in-pain-treatment/) - A 2025 editorial published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine argued that increasing muscular strength is not the main driver for reducing pain. Instead, they wrote that strength training is one component among several factors that contribute to pain reduction, based on the biopsychosocial framework of pain. These other factors include improved self-efficacy, changed
- [What is kyphoscoliosis and can it be treated?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-is-kyphoscoliosis/) - Kyphoscoliosis is an extreme form of spine deformity where there is an excessive rounding of the upper spine (kyphosis) and side-to-side curve in parts of the spine (scoliosis). This type of posture tends to have the back appear crooked or have the lower part of the spine curve inward toward the abdomen, which is more
- [Can you massage an inguinal hernia back in place?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/inguinal-hernia-massage/) - An inguinal hernia occurs when a weakness in the lower abdominal wall at the inguinal canal allows the contents of the abdomen to bulge through the rupture. “Hernia,” from the Latin for “rupture,” is used to describe several conditions in your body, and inguinal hernia is one of the most well-recognized type. Inguinal hernias can
- [Body symmetry, not asymmetry, linked to low back pain among cricket bowlers](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/body-symmetry-not-asymmetry-is-linked-to-low-back-pain-among-cricket-bowlers/) - A 2015 study published in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that cricket fast bowlers with abdominal symmetry have higher incidences of low back pain than those who have abdominal muscle asymmetry. Sixteen of the 25 teenage cricket fast bowlers in South Africa participated in the study have low back pain and nine
- [San Diego Pain Summit 2016: A game-changer in massage therapy](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/san-diego-pain-summit-2016-a-game-changer-in-massage-therapy/) - Nearly a year ago, I had a wonderful experience attending, reporting, and tweeting the first San Diego Pain Summit. Although it drizzled that weekend that may have made some of Vancouverites think if they had really left home in British Columbia, everyone seemed to enjoy the learning and company. I finally met friends and colleagues
- [Challenging “old” stereotypes: 5 stories reframe what aging is about](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/challenging-old-stereotypes-5-stories-that-reframe-what-aging-is-about/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Intro" _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font="Libre Baskerville||||||||" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]Hip-hop, breakdancing, and salsa were three of my favorite types of dance in my twenties and even today. I loved them so much that I would take classes and go out to clubs and dance socials three
- [Making sense about massage and low back pain with Dr. Christopher Moyer](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/making-sense-about-massage-and-low-back-pain-with-dr-christopher-moyer/) - A 2015 Cochrane Review found “little confidence” in the effectiveness of massage therapy for chronic low back pain. While this had stirred some pushback from many massage therapists on social media, some therapists embraced the change of the narrative from “fixing” someone to “managing.” the condition. To sort through the research, Dr. Christopher Moyer, who
- [Lumbar epidural steroid injections for chronic low back pain: Short-term wins, long-term questions](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lumbar-epidural-steroid-injections/) - Lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESIs) remain a popular minimally invasive option to reduce nerve-root inflammation and buy time before—or instead of—surgery. A 2025 narrative review published in Cureus by Soin et al. synthesized the latest evidence on LESIs’ real-world performance from 2020 to 2025. The authors concluded that LESIs function best as a ‘bridge therapy’
- [Book Review: ‘Tell Me Where It Hurts’ reframes how pain is understood for patients](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/book-review-tell-me-where-it-hurts-reframes-how-pain-is-understood-for-patients/) - Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek health care, yet it remains widely misunderstood. In Tell Me Where It Hurts: The New Science of Pain and How to Heal, pain psychologist Rachel Zoffness translates modern pain science into accessible language. The result is not just an educational text, but a narrative-driven
- [Shoulder “abnormalities” is not always a cause of pain or disability, research finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/shoulder-pain-asymptomatic/) - Shoulder abnormalities, such as osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tears, do not always mean they are the primary cause of shoulder pain. A 2024 systematic review published in Osteoarthritis & Cartilage found 30% to 75% of the general population with such shoulder abnormalities are asymptomatic. Although researchers Ibounig et al. wrote the prevalence of shoulder abnormalities
- [Scientists and doctors rethink osteoarthritis pain: Beyond joints and brain parts](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/arthritis/scientists-and-doctors-rethink-osteoarthritis-pain-beyond-joints-and-brain-parts/) - 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 in Nature Reviews Rheumatology challenges
- [Confounding factors could make scientists draw wrong conclusions, researchers warn](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/overlooked-confounding-factors-can-mislead-exercise-researchers/) - Confounding factors can cause some researchers to believe that there’s a direct cause-and-effect relationship in their studies. For example, if they were to examine whether taking a vitamin would increase an athlete’s stamina, there are likely other factors besides the vitamin that could influence their results. It could be sleep quality, caffeine intake, time of
- [A disc bulge does not always correlate to back pain, research finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/disc-bulge-back-pain/) - Oregon-based Massage educator Whitney Lowe wrote on his blog that intervertebral discs can manage a high compressive load between the adjacent vertebrae. “The idea many people have when they hear about a ‘blown-out disc’ is that some acute force caused a previously normal disc to rapidly protrude to one side as a result of the
- [5 best peptides for skin care and what you should look for (2024)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/best-peptides-for-skin-care/) - Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. They are molecular in size. Many kinds of peptides naturally exist in our bodies to send signals to different types of cells. Some are precursors to hormones like insulin and oxytocin. Others play vital roles in the immune system. They even
- [10 best professional massage oils](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/best-massage-oils/) - Key takeaways Consider these factors when shopping for massage oils: Make sure the oil is all-natural and hypoallergenic to ensure that it won't cause any skin irritation. Look for an oil with a light scent that won't be overbearing in the room. Choose an oil that is water dispersible so it won't leave behind any
- [Best massage creams for professionals](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/best-massage-creams/) - Massage cream is a type of moisturizer that is designed to be used during several types of massage. It helps to lubricate the skin and provides a protective barrier between the hands and the body. Massage cream is often used to help with dry skin, reduce the appearance of scar tissues, or perform a face
- [Ballistic stretching isn’t as dangerous as you think, research finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/is-ballistic-stretching-dangerous/) - Ballistic stretching uses rapid movements and momentum to stretch a muscle beyond its normal range of motion. This type of stretching uses stretched muscles in a spring-like manner at a high velocity. Although I’ve played sports since age 5, I’ve never come across a coach, trainer, or physical therapist who has referenced ballistic stretching. Dynamic
- [Lymphatic drainage massage: A review of benefits, effectiveness, myths](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lymphatic-drainage-massage/) - Lymph drainage massage (or manual lymphatic drainage, MLD) is a type of gentle massage that is supposed to reduce swelling in the limbs due to fluid buildup. It may help “clear out” congested lymph nodes in a particular area of your body by performing a series of rhythmic, compressive strokes along lymph vessels. Practitioners claim
- [PNF stretching: How to do it and what research says](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/what-is-pnf-stretching/) - Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, or PNF, is a type of stretching that involves a muscle to repeatedly contract against resistance and then relaxed into a deeper stretch, using the nervous system to allow greater lengthening. In practice, a practitioner or partner takes a limb into a passive stretch. Then the athlete contracts the muscle group that goes
- [2018: A Journey Halfway Around the World—and Back](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/2018-a-journey-halfway-around-the-world-and-back/) - “You don’t speak Dutch?” said the middle-age gentleman who sat in front of me at a bench inside a Starbucks in De Meern, Netherlands, while I was compiling the feature story for the Summer 2018 issue on my laptop. I looked at him, mildly surprised that would say that to me, and smiled. “Sorry, I
- [When fear isn’t the main driver: Rethinking psychological models of chronic pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/fear-avoidance-beliefs/) - For decades, fear-avoidance beliefs have played a central role in how clinicians and researchers understand chronic pain. When pain is interpreted as a sign of harm, people may avoid movement or activity, leading to physical deconditioning, emotional distress, and disability. This framework has shaped assessment tools, treatment approaches, and patient education across pain care. However,
- [Decades of research finds most types of stretching increase flexibility—but with nuances](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/types-of-stretching/) - For decades, stretching has been treated as a general prescription for something you’re supposed to do before and after exercise or whenever your body feels stiff or sore. Many fitness experts and manual therapists have recommended stretching as a way to prevent injury and improve flexibility. But how much of such recommendations are based on
- [Why stretching theories lean toward neural explanations, less mechanical](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/why-stretching-theories-lean-toward-neural-explanations-less-mechanical/) - While stretching is often recommended by many fitness, sports, and rehab professionals, few could explain how it works and why. Traditional explanations often include “it lengthens your muscles” or “releases fascia.” However, research in the last 30-plus years has shown that stretching is less about mechanical properties and more about a combination of structural, neural,
- [Narratives Matter: Patients Use Blogs to Cope With Their Chronic Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/storytelling-and-narratives-blogs-from-patients-who-are-coping-with-their-pain/) - Oftentimes we see blogs and websites about pain, rehabilitation, and exercise from various healthcare and fitness professionals. However, we don’t often read or hear stories from the patients’ or clients’ side of their experience and knowledge. Clinicians and trainers sometimes get caught up in facts, data, and and their own beliefs that they forget about the
- [Neurological explanation lessen pain perception more than biomechanical](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-neurological-explanation-lessen-pain-perception-more-than-biomechanical-one/) - How well patients with chronic low back pain respond to physiotherapy treatment can depend on what and how the physiotherapist explains pain to them. Researchers from the International Spine and Pain Institute in Story City, Iowa—led by Dr. Adriaan Louw—found that their subjects seem to respond better to a single-leg raise test after they were
- [Therapists Who Extrapolate Research to Fit Their Beliefs May Backfire](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/therapists-who-extrapolate-research-to-fit-their-narratives-may-put-their-own-foot-in-their-mouth/) - Sometimes we see a post on social media about a new research finding that adds a better understanding of how our body works. And sometimes these findings may (or may not) apply to what we do with our clients or patients. So how do we know if certain research can be applied to what we
- [Edge Work: Giving Patients the Power to Heal Themselves](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/edge-work-giving-patients-the-power-to-heal-themselves/) - “Manual therapists tend to believe that they are Batman, but they are actually more like Alfred.” ~ Dr. Cory Blickenstaff When I attended the 2015 San Diego Pain Summit, I had a hard time understanding Dr. Cory Blickenstaff's presentation on “edge work.” Part of the reason may have been the idea that I was surrounded by
- [Massage therapy research summary needs to tell the whole story](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/massage-therapy-research-summary-needs-to-tell-the-whole-story/) - While my Facebook feed was flooded with shares of the Association of Massage Therapy’s research finding of massage therapy for various health issues last week, I stumbled upon an interest Tweet from PainScience’s Paul Ingraham: This led me to probe a little deeper into AMT’s research summary. Well, a “little deeper” led to a “lot
- [Why massage therapists should learn CPR and first aid, even if it’s not required](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/why-massage-therapists-should-learn-cpr-and-first-aid-even-if-its-not-required/) - It was time for a career change — or rather a career improvement. There was an opportunity to become a first-aid attendant at a sawmill I used to work at, so I took two weeks off dove into the course. It was intense and I was learning to do things I never thought I would
- [Pain education may help patients recover better and save more money](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/therapists-who-provide-pain-education-may-help-patients-recover-better-and-save-more-money/) - A 2014 study published in Spine — led by Dr. Adriaan Louw from the International Spine and Pain Institute — showed that patients who received pain education with a physical therapist before they undergo lumbar radiculopathy surgery had better expectations and recovery than those who received no such education. Patients who were eligible for the study
- [Client-centered care vs. ego-centered care in massage therapy](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/client-centered-care-vs-ego-centered-care-in-massage-therapy/) - In my early years as a personal trainer, I tended to focus a lot on the type of exercise equipment or modality that was popular at the time to market myself and to apply them to almost all of my clients. Whether it was bodyweight training, BOSU, kettlebells, or core training, I pretty much learned
- [Analyzing the evidence of massage article on Velo Magazine](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/analyzing-the-evidence-of-massage-article-on-velo-magazine/) - A recent article published on Velo Magazine about massage therapy and recovery stirred a hornet's nest among some massage therapists on social media. Some called the article “BS,” “crap,” and a host of other familiar terms we might see on some social media debates. A few said that the title is very misleading and does not reflect
- [Why is the understanding of pain in massage therapy not updated? Part 2](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/its-2016-why-is-our-understanding-of-pain-still-stuck-in-the-past-part-2/) - This is a continuation from Part 1. Recently, I heard this short story on NPR that may sound all too familiar some of you. Even I had experienced it a few times in my life. You might even know a friend, a family member, or a coworker who experienced it. Even if you're in a really bad
- [Why is the understanding of pain in massage therapy not updated? Part 1](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/its-2016-why-is-our-understanding-of-pain-still-stuck-in-the-past-part-1/) - Since the 1950s, pain science has evolved quite rapidly and grew more complex, moving away from the Cartesian model of pain that has been the foundation of pain treatment for over 300 years. Current research integrates biology, neuroscience, psychology, genetics, sociology, and other disciplines of science and humanities into understanding pain, which guides clinicians to
- [5 best massage creams for professionals](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-product-review/best-massage-creams-for-professional-massage-therapy/) - If you don’t wish to deal with stains on your sheets and clothes, massage creams may be the best choice for you. Like oils, lotions, and gels, massage creams allow a smooth glide while allowing you to provide deeper pressure if needed. But creams don’t drip like oils and lotions, so you don’t have to
- [Applied Pain Science in Manual Therapy Worldwide, Part 2](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/applied-pain-science-in-manual-therapy-the-world-is-catching-up-part-2/) - This morning, I had a barrage of various blogs, infographics, and PubMed articles on my Facebook feed on various myths and outdated ideas about pain from Jarod Hall, Lars Avemarie, and Andres Cepeda. There was even a rant from Bodhi Haroldsson who asked why dogma in massage therapy education and culture still exist, (even among Canadian RMTs). Bodhi, friends, you’re
- [How to Use KT Tape for Wrist Pain & Does It Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/kt-tape-wrist/) - Kinesiology tape, or KT tape, is often used as a conservative treatment for pain relief and to support the joints to reduce the risk of injury and improve athletic performance. It’s similar to regular athletic tapes that you often see in drugstores, but unlike them, KT tape is more elastic, waterproof, and comes in a
- [What is MCL injury? Causes, Treatments, Evidence](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/mcl-injury/) - An MCL injury is a sprain or tear of the medial collateral ligament, which is located on the inner side of the knee. It’s made up of a strong band of connective tissues that connects your femur to your tibia. The MCL works with the other knee ligaments—anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL),
- [Chronic low back pain: What sciences supports vs. what it doesn’t](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/chronic-low-back-pain/) - Whether it’s cardio or strength training, exercise has been shown to have moderate short-term to long-term effects for chronic low back pain. (Photo by Airman First Class John D. Partlow)Key takeaways Chronic low back pain stems from multiple causes, including biological, psychological, societal, and environmental factors. The current body of research points out that a
- [Applied Pain Science in Manual Therapy Worldwide, Part 1](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/applied-pain-science-in-manual-therapy-the-world-is-catching-up-part-1/) - When I met physiotherapist Rheysonn Cornillia, who practices in Cavite, Philippines, at the 2019 San Diego Pain Summit, I wasn’t too surprised to hear the problems he faces in his profession are the same as most of my manual therapy friends in Canada, U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Given the gradual acceptance and understanding
- [Washington state massage therapy profession should be modeled as legitimate health care practice](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/how-could-massage-therapy-be-defined-as-a-part-of-healthcare-profession-in-u-s/) - It could be argued that legitimacy starts with an intent to represent what we do with integrity. That is, we do what we say we do, and not something else. Physical therapists do physical therapy, surgeons do surgery, nurses do nursing, etc. Each legitimate healthcare profession tends to different aspects of a patient’s treatment, contributing
- [10 best lotions for massage therapists](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-product-review/best-massage-lotions-for-professional-massage-therapy/) - A good massage can work wonders on the body and mind, but with so many different types of massage, it can be difficult to know which lubricant to use. Massage oil is usually the first to come to mind due to general association, but there are also massage gels, creams, and lotions. Whether you’re looking
- [Should you use massage lotion or oil?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-lotions-vs-oil/) - When it comes to massage, there are two primary forms for lubrication: Oil and lotion. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Oil is best for protecting the skin’s moisture barrier and providing a smooth glide—especially during a full body massage or for those with dry skin. However, it can be slippery, and some people
- [Clearing the Myths Behind Sacroiliac Joint Pain (Updated 2021)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/narrative-sacroiliac-joint-pain/) - A group of researchers and physiotherapists recently challenged the current diagnosis and management of sacroiliac joint pain. Led by Dr. Thorvaldur Palsson from the Department of Science and Technology at Aalborg University in Denmark, the team questioned a few common ideas among clinicians about why the sacroiliac joint is painful among many patients. Traditional explanations
- [What Is Trigger Point Therapy? (2021)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/trigger-point-therapy/) - Trigger point therapy is a type of massage technique that is supposed to help alleviate the symptoms or even “get rid of” trigger points. These trigger points are traditionally thought to be tiny muscle knots or tissue adhesions that cause the sore spots when you press on certain areas of your body, such as your
- [What Is Piriformis Syndrome?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/piriformis-syndrome/) - The piriformis syndrome can be a bane for many athletes, particularly among those who perform endurance sports like marathoners, road cyclists, and rowers. Competitive distance runners keep a strict training schedule and are notorious for being able to rattle off their mileage for the day, week, and even year-to-date. Most have learned to create time
- [Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Does massage and physical therapy help?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/) - Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) describe a group of connective tissue diseases or disorders that affect the body in many ways. It’s often associated with joints that move beyond normal range of motion to the point of potential subluxation or dislocation. EDS has a genetic component that changes the structure and function of collagen and some connective
- [What Is Connective Tissue Disease and Does Massage Help?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/connective-tissue-disease/) - Connective tissues disease refers to the pathology of tissues that link your body’s organs, joints, and other structures in place. These connective tissues act like scaffolding, providing stability and allowing some degree of movement. They’re composed of elastin and collagen, which are types of protein that you can find in skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, cartilage,
- [How Much Should You Really Tip a Massage Therapist?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-much-to-tip-for-massage/) - Tipping is a customary “social norm” in American culture, but most people still question what the proper amount to tip is. Should it be based on service or should customers pay a flat rate of 20 percent of the total cost? The 20 percent tip is commonly found in the food industry, but how does
- [Neff and Maté Keynotes for Pain Society of Alberta ‘World Pain Summit’ 2021](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/neff-and-mate-keynotes-for-pain-society-of-alberta-world-pain-summit-2021/) - Pain Society of Alberta (PSA) will be hosting its first official World Pain Summit next month virtually from Oct. 15 to 17. This event highlights the importance of self-compassion and how psychological and environmental factors affect physical health and chronic pain with psychologist Kristin Neff and Dr. Gabor Maté as the keynote speakers. “I don’t
- [Is the Beighton Score for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome valid or just BS? ](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/beighton-score/) - While the Beighton score is a “standard” assessment to diagnose whether you have joint hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and similar disorders, several researchers recently questioned its validity and reliability of the scoring system. In 2020, British and South African researchers found inconsistencies of the “hands on floor” part of the Beighton score assessment to
- [What Exercises Are Good for Hypermobility and Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (EDS)?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-exercises-are-good-for-hypermobility-and-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-eds/) - Exercise often draws mixed reviews from those with hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs), often with anecdotal and sometimes research based justification. Many people under that spectrum have had negative experiences with various traditional means of health management. However, there is hope for those with HSDs, including Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, when provided with appropriate guidance. Is hypermobility syndrome
- [Is Massage Therapy Good for Scleroderma?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/is-massage-therapy-good-for-scleroderma/) - Scleroderma, named from the Greek roots σκληρός (skleros, “hard”) + δέρμα (derma, “skin”) is an autoimmune disorder. It’s considered a rare disease because in samples of 1 million Americans, you would expect to find about 250 of them—about 0.025%—living with scleroderma. Out of five people who have scleroderma, four of them will be women. While
- [Should You Fix Leg Length Discrepancy?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/should-you-fix-leg-length-discrepancy/) - I remember a client from a few years ago who told me that he had chronic hip pain and low back pain for almost a year, and his physical therapist had told him that it’s likely because his left leg is “longer” than the other leg. His previous massage therapist attempted to “correct” his leg length
- [What is Iliotibial Band Syndrome? ](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/iliotibial-band-syndrome/) - Iliotibial band syndrome (IT band) is a painful condition that most often affects runners, especially those who run long distances, other athletes whose sports involve a lot of running or legwork, such as skiers, cyclists, and soccer players, or those who are new to exercise. Symptoms can manifest as hip pain, knee pain, or a
- [What Is Gluteal Tendinopathy and Can Massage Help?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/gluteal-tendinopathy/) - Gluteal tendinopathy typically affects sedentary people, but it can also be problematic among those participating in running and other athletic activities. It’s the most common lower limb tendinopathy, and it’s nearly three times more common in women than men. Gluteal tendinopathy may affect as many as 25 percent of women more than 50-years-old and has
- [What Causes Sciatica to Flare Up and Can Massage Help?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/sciatica/) - Sciatica is often used rather loosely and refers to a particular set of symptoms rather than the specific underlying medical condition. It’s sometimes referred to as lumbar radiculopathy, and the symptoms can range from discomfort to severe pain that can be difficult to diagnose due to similar symptoms from other conditions, like the piriformis syndrome.
- [Does Massage Help with Hip Flexor Pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/hip-flexor-pain/) - No matter which type of hip flexor pain you have, they all can be unpleasant and limit your ability to move, even if you’re just getting out of bed. Hip flexor pain can be a burning sensation or a sharp pain near your groin, lower abdominals, somewhere along the front of your waistline, or a
- [Jumper’s Knee Brace: Do They Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/jumpers-knee-brace/) - Patellar tendinopathy, or jumper’s knee, has a long history of affecting athletes who play a variety of sports at all skill levels. This condition causes pain just below the kneecap in the patellar tendon (sometimes called a patellar ligament). Teenage athletes who participate in high-impact sports (think running, jumping, and squatting) often suffer from jumper’s
- [What Does a Positive Slump Test Mean?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-does-a-positive-slump-test-mean/) - There are a lot of special tests in physical therapy that aren’t all that special. When it comes to low back pain and sciatica, the slump test isn’t one of them. This test checks the important boxes. It’s easy to perform (and hard to mess up!), and when it’s positive, there’s no ambiguity. Pain and
- [Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): A Patient’s Perspective](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-crps/) - It wasn’t hard to find Kris Leong among the crowd outside of the Amsterdam Centraal Station on my first visit to the Netherlands on a cloudy day in April 2018. She rolled toward me on her red scooter—her “Batmobile”—wearing a gray and white checkered coat and a gray fuzzy hat. People parted to let her
- [Causalgia, RSD, CRPS : Does the Name Matter?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/causalgia-rsd-crps-does-the-name-matter/) - Causalgia, algodystrophy, shoulder-hand syndrome, Sudeck’s atrophy: these are some of the names complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) was called since the late 19th century as each generation of physicians get a better understanding of the disease. Until the end of World War II, CRPS was called “causalgia,” stemming from the Greek words καυσός (heat) and
- [Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Work for CRPS?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-spinal-cord-stimulation-work-for-crps/) - Living with chronic pain can leave you feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. Spinal cord stimulators are small implantable devices that are placed under your skin. They can help you manage pain and restore your quality of life and sleep by masking the pain signal before it can reach your brain. Spinal cord stimulators may also reduce
- [How Physical Therapy Can Help the Opioid Crisis (2022)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-physical-therapy-helps-opioid-crisis/) - For the first time in U.S. history, more than 100,000 Americans have died from opioid overdose in a 12-month period from April 2020 to April 2021, according to a report from last November from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most data from each state show similar patterns as the national trend, from
- [Ursa Foundation Leaves Legacy in Manual Therapy Communities](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/ursa-foundation-leaves-legacy-in-manual-therapy-communities/) - Many healthcare professionals have teachers who have made an impact in their career and personal lives where their influence continues to thrive even after they pass on. One such teacher was Dr. Loren “Bear” Rex, who was an osteopathic physician and founder of the nonprofit Ursa Foundation in Edmonds, Washington. While Bear passed away in
- [2022 San Diego Pain Summit: Manual Therapy Community Re-emerges](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/2022-san-diego-pain-summit/) - The San Diego Pain Summit resumed its first in-person conference since 2020 on Feb. 26 and 27, 2022 with a line-up of new and old voices that tackles the difficult (and often uncomfortable) topics that few manual therapy and medical conferences address. Speakers in this year’s event presented a range of topics that fulfills the
- [Massage Therapy: an Alternative to Opioids, But Is It Cost Effective?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-an-alternative-to-opioids-but-is-it-cost-effective/) - Six years after releasing their initial recommendations on prescribing opioids for chronic pain, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated the federal guidelines last February, emphasizing on trying other treatments in the management of acute and chronic pain before prescribing opioid medications. The suggested non-opioid treatment options are both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, such as gabapentin
- [How to Get Rid of Muscle Soreness](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-to-get-rid-of-muscle-soreness/) - Muscle soreness, sometimes called “delayed onset muscle soreness” (DOMS) is a dull, achy pain that you may have experienced after a hard workout, especially if you’re not used to exercising. It’s a “functional muscle disorder” without any obvious visible signs of muscle structure damage due to overexertion and eccentric muscle contraction, according to the 2012
- [Why Are My Muscles So Tight? Blame Your Nervous System](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/why-are-my-muscles-so-tight/) - Tight muscles get blamed for a lot of things. Don’t feel good when you bend down to feed the dog in the morning? It’s because your back muscles are tight. Having neck pain while you sit at your desk to work or texting? It must be tight muscles. Pulled a “hammy” playing adult-league kickball? Tight
- [Do You Really Need a Cooldown After Exercise?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/do-you-need-a-cooldown-after-exercise/) - A cooldown is any recovery method that is supposed to help transition your body back to its pre-exercise state. Many people believe that a cooldown has many benefits, such as removing metabolic waste faster, reducing the risk of injuries, improving next-day athletic performance, and reducing muscle soreness and muscle tightness. While cooldowns are quite popular
- [Does Foam Rolling Really Help Get Rid of Sore Muscles?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/does-foam-rolling-help-get-rid-of-sore-muscles/) - If you have been to a gym in the past decade, you have inevitably seen foam rolling. Foam rollers have evolved from long white cylinders to brightly colored tubes that vary in texture, density and length. The list of proposed benefits of foam rolling is long. Gaiam, one of the major brands in workout recovery
- [How to Fix Your Anterior Pelvic Tilt, But Should You?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/anterior-pelvic-tilt/) - What is anterior pelvic tilt? The anterior pelvic tilt is where your pelvis is rotated forward, lifting your buttocks upward and increasing your lower back arch. Sometimes the pelvic tilt decreases the upper spine curvature, making your back to appear flatter. As a result, some muscles get chronically shortened, like your hip flexors and lower
- [What Is Kyphosis: Types, Causes, Treatments](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/kyphosis/) - Kyphosis refers to having too much curvature in your upper back, which can reduce range of motion in your shoulders and upper back extension. Too much rounding of the spine may also increase the risk of some joint disorders and diseases, such as fractures in the spine among older adults. It has features commonly found
- [What Is Lower Cross Syndrome and Should You Fix It?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lower-cross-syndrome/) - Lower cross syndrome refers to the muscular imbalances of the lower body, including the hips, lower abdominals, hip flexors, and legs. The “cross syndrome” term comes from the “X” that you often see from the side view of a person’s body at the pelvis or shoulder girdle. Some of these muscles in lower cross syndrome
- [How to Reverse Cervical Lordosis Based on Science](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/cervical-lordosis/) - Cervical lordosis refers to the natural, C-shaped curve of your neck, which is made up of seven vertebrae—C1 to C7—that work with your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves to allow a wide range of movements. The curve also helps to absorb shock in the upper spine, along with the intervertebral discs between each vertebra. While
- [Is Massage Good for Lymphedema? (2022)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lymphatic-drainage-massage-lymphedema/) - Many proponents of lymphatic drainage massage (sometimes called manual lymphatic drainage or MLD) can reduce swelling and other symptoms of lymphedema, but current scientific research do not have a strong support for such claim. A 2020 study that was published in Medicine found that such lymphedema massage “might not add any effect to the treatment
- [Can Massage Cause Muscle and Nerve Damage?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/can-massage-cause-muscle-and-nerve-damage/) - In 2005, a relatively healthy 88-year-old man in Taiwan sought medical treatment after falling down due to weakness in his arms and legs. He turned out to be experiencing acute kidney failure and fever as well. In taking his history, his healthcare team learned that he received massage therapy for one to two hours every
- [Should You Massage a Muscle Spasm?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/should-you-massage-a-muscle-spasm/) - A muscle spasm is a strong involuntary muscle contraction, which is often quite painful. That’s the definition used by researchers and clinicians who study and treat what causes spasms and what can be done to treat them. Although the causes are not fully understood, there are things you can do to relieve the pain of
- [Can Exercise Fix a Dowager’s Hump?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/can-exercise-fix-a-dowagers-hump/) - A dowager’s hump, which is a type of hyperkyphosis, often refers to the excessive curvature of the thoracic spine near the neck base. Most medical professionals agree that a “normal” range of the thoracic spine is between 20 to 40 degrees. Any degree greater than 40 is classified as “hyperkyphosis” because some research has shown
- [Pediatric Pain: How Parents Pass Their Pain to Their Children](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pediatric-pain-how-parents-pass-their-pain-to-their-children/) - I remember having low back pain as young as eight when I was visiting my family in Macau back in the summer of 1985. My mom, who also had chronic low back pain, said to me, “You can’t have back pain. You’re too young!” She believed that children should not have such pain because their
- [Pediatric Pain History: When Doctors Didn’t Give Infants Anesthesia](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pediatric-pain-history-when-doctors-didnt-give-infants-anesthesia/) - In early 1985, Jill R. Lawson of Silver Springs, Maryland, gave birth to Jeffrey Lawson, who was prematurely born at 26 weeks. After her son underwent heart surgery to fix a blood vessel near his under-developed heart, Jeffrey passed away five weeks after the surgery at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center. While his death was
- [What Is Lomi Lomi Massage? The Hawaiian Perspective](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-is-lomi-lomi-massage/) - Lomi lomi massage is part of the traditional Hawaiian healing practice that uses different techniques to address many of your body’s pains. It’s not a single style of massage, but rather has many different unique linages, each with its own techniques, preferences, and focuses. Lomi lomi done by native Hawaiians in Hawaii often appears very
- [How Childhood Anxiety Affects Chronic Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/childhood-anxiety/) - In the fall of 1990 when I was in eighth grade, my family moved further north in San Diego County, away from Mira Mesa where I had lived since first grade. Before we moved, many questions and uncertainties swirled in my brain with hundreds of “what ifs.” What if I don’t like the kids and
- [Pediatric Massage: Is It Okay for Kids?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pediatric-massage/) - As a massage therapist, I typically only see adults, but three years into my career, I treated a 16-year-old for whiplash following her doctor’s recommendation. In the beginning, her shoulders were stiff. She would only speak when addressed and rarely looked up. But the last time I saw her, she walked into the office, confident
- [Physical Therapy for Dancers: What Do They Do?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/physical-therapy-for-dancers/) - Dance physical therapy is where a physical therapist treats a dancer’s injuries and helps to improve their performance mostly with exercise and movement. They evaluate the nature of an injury and monitor the progress of their recovery, much like almost any athlete. But don’t get this confused with “dance therapy.” “[As a] provider, I’m providing
- [How Childhood Neglect Affects Chronic Pain in Adulthood](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/child-neglect-affects-chronic-pain/) - If you Google “child neglect” and hit the “News” tab, you would likely find many of such cases reported with parents or caregivers arrested or found guilty in court for child endangerment or neglect. For more than 20 years, neglect ranks as the most common type of child maltreatment in the U.S. In 2010, about
- [Differences Between a LMT and CMT](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/differences-lmt-vs-cmt/) - A massage license is issued by the government while a massage certification is distributed by a private institution. And so, there are legal differences between a licensed massage therapist (LMT) and a certified massage therapist (CMT). What does a massage therapy license do? Being a LMT shows that you have obtained the required knowledge set
- [How Corporal Punishment in Schools Affects Long-term Behavior in Children](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-corporal-punishment-in-schools-affects-long-term-behavior-in-children/) - A Missouri school district recently reinstated the use of corporal punishment on children with written consent from a parent after more than 20 years of prohibiting the practice. The district in Casville, Mo., asserts that corporal punishment, defined as “the use of physical force as a method of correcting student behavior,” is a viable method
- [Calf Strain: Treatments, Recovery, Causes, and Prevention](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/calf-strain/) - A calf strain, or a pulled calf muscle, is when a muscle in the back of the leg is overstretched or torn which can also cause pain in the back of your knee. These muscles include the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The former is in charge of elongating the foot and toes whereas the latter’s
- [11 Types of Massage for Pain Relief](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/types-of-massage/) - There are likely more than 20 different types of massage in the world, but if you were to break them down to the basics, there are probably just less than ten—all involve some form of physical touch. But the type of massage you receive depends on what your intentions are, your health status, and prior
- [What Is Lordosis and Do You Need to Fix It?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lordosis/) - Lordosis (also called “swayback”) is where your lower spine curves inward excessively. Such curve functions as a shock absorber, adapting to movement and load and keeping your body stable. While having spinal curves is natural and beneficial, having too much low back curve may cause health problems. But based on the body research on lordosis,
- [Does a Larger Q Angle Cause Knee and Hip Pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/q-angle/) - The Q angle—or quadriceps angle—is the distance between two imaginary lines: one line is drawn from the ASIS of the pelvis to the middle of the patella, and then a second line is drawn from the patella’s center to the tibial tubercle. This angle represents the pull of the quadriceps and can play a major
- [Can Massage Help With Scoliosis Pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/scoliosis/) - Scoliosis is an abnormal, side-to-side curve of the spine, which may originate in the bones or created by muscles pulling on the bones. It can be a single or double curve, and it’s often diagnosed among children and teenagers since their bones are easier to change and adapt than adults. Also, scoliosis may cause excessive
- [What Is Foot Pronation and When Do You Need to Fix It?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/foot-pronation/) - Pronation is a normal motion at the ankle joint where your foot and ankle rolls inward after making contact with the ground. This helps to absorb shock when you walk and run. It’s part of a normal gait pattern as you transition from midstance to your toes as you push off to the next step.
- [What Is Valgus Knee, and When Is It a Problem?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/valgus-knee/) - Valgus knee, also known as ‘knock-knees’ or genu valgum, is where your knees angle in towards the midline of your body. This can lead to foot pronation on the affected side and is sometimes associated with increased lordosis, which can cause a forward tilt of the pelvis. Knee valgus is often normal during early childhood.
- [What Is Varus Knee and When Do You Need to Fix It?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/varus-knee/) - Varus knees, also known as genu varum, occurs when the knees bend away from each other in a standing position. This can lead to foot supination, where the weight of your feet is shifted to the outer side. Sometimes varus knees are associated with a flattening of the low back curve. Genu varum is normal
- [What Is Aromatherapy Massage and Is It Safe?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/aromatherapy-massage/) - Aromatherapy massage combines scented, plant-based oils or lotions with massage therapy, often used for enhancing relaxation and reducing pain. It’s easy to assume that the term “aroma” simply comes from the strong fragrances and there’s little use beyond natural perfume. But such aromatherapy has been used for at least 6,000 years in various cultures worldwide,
- [How Massage Therapy Reduces Endometriosis Pain and What You Can Do About It](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/endometriosis-massage/) - Endometriosis is a painful condition caused by the lining of your uterus growing outside of the uterus, like your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and the outside part of your uterus. During normal ovulation, this tissue is shed from your body through menstruation. When the uterine lining is outside of the uterus, the tissue has no way
- [2022 Oregon Pain Summit: Challenging Chronic Pain Beliefs and Management](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/2022-oregon-pain-summit/) - The Oregon Pain Summit (OPS) returned to hosting its event live on Sept. 29 in Lebanon, Ore. Spanning over three days, this year’s presentation focused on some of the tough issues that challenge how clinicians think about what pain is and how to best treat the person in pain based on the best practices and
- [Difference between lactic acid and lactate](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/difference-between-lactic-acid-and-lactate/) - Ket takeaways Lactate is not an end product or waste product) of metabolism. Lactate has now been shown to be able to directly enter the mitochondria—it does not first have to be converted to pyruvate. Lactate does not cause fatigue for many people. Lactate does not cause pain. Lactate is a preferred fuel source (compared
- [Can Massage Squeeze Lactic Acid Out of Muscles?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-remove-lactic-acid-muscles/) - Should you be concerned about the effects of lactic acid build-up in your muscles? If lactic acid really does what some people say it does, then you probably don’t want that substance anywhere near your muscular system. It’s an acid. It burns, which you can feel directly, and it causes damage, which you experience as
- [How Massage Can Help Treat Chronic Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-for-chronic-pain/) - Chronic pain comes in many different types, including fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), joint pain, and headaches. By definition, chronic pain usually persists more than three months or many months and years. Oftentimes, it is more difficult to treat than acute pain because many factors influence the pain persistence (e.g. immune system, stress, poor
- [Exercise for Pudendal Neuralgia: Does It Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/exercise-for-pudendal-neuralgia/) - Pudendal neuralgia is the irritation, entrapment, or compression of the pudendal nerve, which can cause a sharp pain along the path of the nerve. It starts from a bundle of nerves from the sacrum, curving around the sciatic foramen of the pelvis and toward the genitals and rectum. There, the nerve branches out to three
- [Does Massage Work for Period Cramps?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-massage-work-for-period-cramps/) - Pain comes in many different forms and everyone has their own unique relationship with it. Sometimes brilliant and fleeting, other times it’s a haunting chronic looming presence that may ebb and fade but never completely disappears. Dysmenorrhea, more commonly referred to as period pain or menstrual cramps, is often disregarded as being a valid pain
- [Do uterine fibroids cause back pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/do-uterine-fibroids-cause-back-pain/) - Uterine fibroids are round growths that are made up of strong, connective tissues that form along the walls of the uterus, which may cause back pain when these growths push against nerves or the muscles of the back or hips. They can also cause pelvic pain that could be mistaken for other causes of such
- [Do ovarian cysts cause back pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/ovarian-cysts-back-pain/) - Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs found in or on the surface of an ovary. These cysts are a relatively common among those with a uterus of child-bearing age. There are many different kinds of ovarian cysts but most are caused by a normal menstrual cycle. The cysts develop when the ovarian follicles keep growing instead
- [Can irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cause back pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/irritable-bowel-syndrome-back-pain/) - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system or gastrointestinal tract. It is often a lifelong problem that requires daily symptoms management to avoid flare-ups. Both food choices and medications may be used in the treatment of IBS. The cause of IBS is unknown but it has been attributed to
- [The 6 Best Massage Gels](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/best-massage-gels/) - Some massage therapists don’t like the oils, creams, and lotions that often stain sheets and clothes. Also, some clients and patients don’t like the oily feeling after they receive a massage that can also get on their clothes. And so, massage gels are great substitutes for oils and lotions, but they don’t offer a smooth
- [Pros and Cons of CBD Oil: What You Should Know About It Based on Science](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/cbd-oil-pros-and-cons/) - Cannabis has been a hot topic since its prohibition in 1937, but prior to that, humans had used cannabis as a medication since the end of the last Ice Age in Italy. Today we’re going to put politics and societal beliefs aside and discuss the known facts of the cannabidiol, or CBD, oil produced by
- [How Central Sensitization Affects Your Chronic Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/central-sensitization/) - Central sensitization describes adaptations that occur in the brain and the spinal cord in response to repeated stimulation on your skin. The increased responsiveness comes in two main forms: hyperalgesia or allodynia. These changes are often part of the course of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Hyperalgesia means you feel even
- [Migraine and back pain: Should you get a massage?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/migraine-and-back-pain/) - Most people with migraine attacks are careful to avoid their triggers. Common triggers can include stress, hunger, caffeine, hormones, bright lights, and evan chocolate. Recent research has also added low back pain to the list. Both conditions can start out as dull, throbbing pain and quickly progress to an intensity that is unbearable. If you’ve
- [How to Relieve a Migraine and Jaw Pain With Self Massage](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/migraine-and-jaw-pain/) - Imagine waking up to a throbbing headache that doesn’t seem to go away. You try to eat your breakfast, but as you start to chew, a sharp pain shoots up your jaw. As the pain subsides, your jaw feels tight and overworked with an ominous clicking noise every time you move it. Leaving the feeling
- [Why the SAID Principle Matters in Your Workout](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/said-principle/) - The SAID principle (acronym for “specific adaptation to imposed demands”) basically means that when your body undergoes some form of stress, like exercise, it will adapt to that stress so that you perform better in the future. Your body will also require less effort and energy to do the work. And if the movement patterns
- [How Many Sets and Reps You Should Do, According to Science?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/how-many-sets-and-reps/) - The number of sets and reps you do in a weight training exercise should depend on your fitness goals, such as getting stronger, more endurance, or more muscle mass. There’s no one-size-fits-all number for everyone, but research finds an optimal range that you can do to maximize strength gains or muscle hypertrophy. What is a
- [How Long Should I Rest Between Sets? One Minute Might Not Be Enough, Research Finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/how-long-should-i-rest-between-sets/) - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that if you are training for maximum strength and power, you should rest between 3 to 5 minutes between sets. For muscle growth, rest between 1 to 2 minutes. But sometimes, that might not be enough. Research shows that resting longer than one minute might be better,
- [How to Apply Kinesio Tape to Your Knee and Does It Really Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/kinesio-tape-knee/) - How do you apply Kinesio Tape to the knee? There are several ways to apply Kinesio tape to the knee. If you don’t have an exact diagnosis, a basic “knee pain” technique can be used. It seems like a lot of steps but it’s really easy! You can even apply this tape job to yourself!
- [How Massage Therapy Can Reduce Migraines](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-massage-can-reduce-migraines/) - Throbbing head pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and noise make migraines exhausting to those who suffer them. Yet migraines are a common condition affecting millions of people around the world. Not much is known about what causes migraines, but many factors, such as stress, diet, and hormones can trigger them. Fortunately, massage therapy—including self
- [Migraine or Headache? Know What the Differences Are to Get the Right Help](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/migraine-vs-headache/) - A pulsing sensation starts in your temples and radiates through the bridge of your nose, making you feel like there’s an invisible vice grip pressing down on you. Every sound is amplified, every light is intensified, and it feels like no amount of pain relief will make it go away. Sound familiar? Everyone gets headaches,
- [Does EDS Cause Migraines and Can Massage Help?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/migraine-and-eds/) - Migraine attacks are a common symptom of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) that a majority of people with this condition experience. Current evidence suggests that it’s primarily caused by connective tissue abnormalities, such as weak collagen fibers, that are influenced by genetic factors. This can cause blood vessels in the brain to be more susceptible to inflammation
- [5 Best Resistance Band Bars to Build Muscles and Strength](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/best-resistance-band-bars/) - Resistance band bars are a type of resistance bands that blend the benefits of elastic training with the firm grip of a barbell. They provide support and stability in the range of motion that sometimes engages more muscles than free weights. You can use them for exercises that are hard to do with barbells, such
- [8 Types of Resistance Bands to Get to Stronger in Different Ways](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/types-of-resistance-bands/) - Resistance bands are often used in fitness and rehab settings to improve strength, motor control, flexibility, and body awareness. They are made of a strong type of latex, rubber, or fabric that can be stretched and pulled in various directions. While rubber and latex are commonly used because they’re lightweight, durable, and provide a consistent
- [Resistance Bands Can Build Muscle and Strength, But There’s a Limit](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/resistance-bands-can-build-muscle-and-strength/) - Resistance bands come in many colors, materials, thicknesses, and shapes. Bands can be made of elastic fabric, flat latex, latex tubing with a handle, or the long, thick loops used to assist with difficult exercises in CrossFit. While bands can be useful for building strength, they are also portable and take up very little space.
- [5 Best Resistance Bands for Pull-ups (2023)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/best-pull-up-resistance-bands/) - Knowing how to use resistance bands to train pull-ups is like having a cheat code. The elasticity of the band provides just the right assistance to allow you to lift your body weight and build strength. Training this way can bridge the gap between those clunky pull-up assist machines and the real thing. Training pull-ups
- [8 Benefits of a Hot Stone Massage](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/hot-stone-massage/) - Hot stones are added to a massage as an enhancement. The therapist holds a stone in their hand and applies it in gliding motions, inducing relaxation. It’s often used to soothe sore muscles and joints. This is a form of thermotherapy, the practice of using heat or cold in a massage. The origins of hot
- [Different Types of Strength to Maximize Your Workout Time](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/types-of-strength/) - Strength training is not limited to a single type. For example, if you want to increase your maximum strength for powerlifting or just want to see how much you can lift, you might go for heavy, low-repetition and high-set exercises. However, if you’re looking to improve muscular endurance for long-distance running or basketball, then you
- [What Is Functional Strength Training, and Is It Just a Marketing Hype?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/what-is-functional-strength-training/) - Unlike other types of strength training, functional strength training currently has no common definition. Some personal trainers subscribe to functional strength training as an approach based on the SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands), which states that muscles adapt to specific tasks we require from them. Others define it as being rooted in the
- [How to Train for Hypertrophy vs. Strength, According to Science](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/hypertrophy-vs-strength/) - Although the terms are often used interchangeably, strength and hypertrophy are different things. Strength refers to your ability to generate force. Hypertrophy simply describes an increase in muscle size. The two concepts should be thought of as distinct but related; an increase in muscle strength can lead to an increase in muscle size and vice
- [Is Concentric or Eccentric Contraction Better for Bigger Muscles?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/concentric-vs-eccentric-contraction/) - Knowing how and when to program different types of muscle contraction is like having a cheat code for reaching your fitness goals. If everyone in the gym knew how to program to reach their goals, the diet and fitness industry would not be the multimillion-dollar juggernaut that it is. Think back to the last time
- [“Fun” Is Missing in the FITT Principle, but Here’s What Can Be Done](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/fitt-principle/) - The FITT principle is a framework used to design exercise programs, which was developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in 1975. The acronym stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type and is used to prescribe and adjust exercise variables. Since then, the guideline is updated every four to six years, with the
- [Sprain vs Break: How to Tell the Difference](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/sprain-vs-break/) - When you twist or roll your ankle, it can cause sudden and intense pain. This could be either a sprain, which is an injury to the ligaments that support the joint, or a break (or a fracture), which is an injury to the nearby bone. Both often cause swelling, bruising, and pain. Fractures are often
- [How Long Does It Take for a Stretched Knee Ligament to Heal?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/stretched-knee-ligament/) - A sudden sharp pain hit the back of your knee, followed by an intense throbbing ache, you may assume you just sprained or strained your knee. Knee sprains and strains are two common injuries that occur when ligaments are stretched beyond their limits. These are the bands of tissues that connect bones and provide joint
- [Sprain vs Strain: How to Tell the Difference](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/sprain-vs-strain/) - The terms strain and sprain are often used interchangeably but they are not the same thing. Strains are injuries to muscles and tendons whereas sprains are injuries to joints and ligaments. Neither term would be correct for describing damage to a nerve, however, both sprains and strains can be accompanied by nerve injury. Strains and
- [Wrist Ligaments Anatomy and Injuries](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/wrist-ligaments-anatomy/) - The wrist is a complex yet delicate joint, consisting of 20 joints that are connected by tendons, ligaments and bones with varying degrees of stability and range of motion. Sprains to the wrists, ankles, and knees are some of the most common sports injuries, occurring in thousands of athletes each year. Wrist sprains alone make
- [Can a Wrist Sprain Turn Into a Fracture?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/can-a-wrist-sprain-turn-into-a-fracture/) - Wrist injuries, including fractures and sprains, are quite common and often occur in sports, falls, and accidents. The wrist is a complex joint that is involved in many activities of daily living and often endures repetitive stress and trauma. Wrist sprains, on the other hand, are more common in younger people and athletes. Sprains occur
- [Is My Ankle Broken or Sprained? A Review of Treatments](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/is-my-ankle-broken-or-sprained/) - Roughly 30,000 ankle injuries occur everyday in the U.S. making it one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. Ankle sprains are common for a number of reasons. We often demand that our ankles traverse uneven terrain such as grass, gravel, and sand. Wearing shoes that are more fashionable than functional (think: high heels) asks your
- [Anatomy of the Medial Ankle Ligaments and Injuries](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/medial-ankle-ligaments-anatomy/) - Medial ankle sprains often occur when the foot is twisted inwards or dorsiflexed too far, stressing or tearing one or more of these ligaments. They can be caused by physical trauma, such as a fall, sudden movements during sports, or incorrectly landing a jump. Current evidence suggests that of all annual sports-related injuries, as much
- [What Is Kinesio Tape and How Does It Really Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-does-the-current-evidence-say-about-the-effectiveness-of-kinesio-taping/) - Kinesio Tape is a brand of elastic therapeutic tape that is supposed to alleviate pain and improve range of motion. It’s often applied to body parts where injury and pain often occurs, such as shoulders, knees, ankles, wrists and forearms, and lower back. It’s similar to other brands of athletic tape, like KT tape and
- [What Is Text Neck and Should You Fix It?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/text-neck/) - Text neck is a repetitive stress injury to your neck where your hang or flex your neck in a forward position while looking at your phone or similar devices for a long time. Symptoms include having a forward head, hunched shoulders, and a rounded upper back, which makes many clinicians believe that this posture is a
- [Does Cluneal Nerve Entrapment Cause Back Pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/cluneal-nerve-entrapment/) - Cluneal nerve entrapment, also known as cluneal neuritis, cluneal nerve compression, or clunealgia, is where cluneal nerves get “stuck” or irritated at the passage through the fascia near the iliac crest of the pelvis. There are three types of cluneal nerves: superior, middle, and inferior. The superior and middle nerves are the ones that tend
- [Why cancer patients should not be denied of massage therapy](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/cancer-massage/) - People with cancer or a history of having cancer treatments may get turned away from getting a massage or other spa treatments. In 2015, journalist Joanna Moorhead, who was diagnosed with cancer, wrote her experience in The Guardian about the vulnerability she felt when she filled out a questionnaire that asked about her health history.
- [ACL Tear: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Massage](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/acl-tear/) - An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear is a common knee injury that occurs when that ligament in the knee is stretched too far, partially torn, or completely torn. This ligament helps stabilize the knee joint and is crucial for activities that involve sudden changes in direction or sudden stops, such as American football, parkour, ballet,
- [What Is a SLAP Tear and Do You Need Surgery?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/slap-tear/) - A SLAP tear is a tear of the labram cartilage that lines the shoulder socket, often involving the attachment of the biceps tendon to the labrum. SLAP tears (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) can be acute, chronic, or degenerative and often occur with other shoulder injuries, such as posterior labral tears, Bankart lesions, or rotator
- [What Is Frozen Shoulder: Full Guide to Causes, Treatments, and Massage](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/frozen-shoulder/) - A frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by stiffness, pain, and restricted movement in the shoulder joint. It typically develops gradually in four stages: the painful stage, the freezing stage, the frozen stage, and the thawing stage. These four stages can last from six months to two years or more.
- [What Is Shoulder Impingement?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/shoulder-impingement/) - Shoulder impingement is where the tendons and connective tissues in your shoulder get pinched or compressed, causing pain and inflammation. It happens when the space between the bones in your shoulder joint narrows, usually due to repetitive overhead motions or age-related changes. This pinching can irritate the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa (a fluid-filled
- [Massage and Exercises for Shoulder Bursitis](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/shoulder-bursitis/) - Shoulder bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint that acts as a cushion between the bones and soft tissues. A bursitis occurs when the bursa becomes inflamed and irritated. This can lead to pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion in the shoulder. This article covers whether
- [What Is a Bankart Lesion?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/bankart-lesion/) - A Bankart lesion is the most common type of shoulder dislocation where the humeral head of the upper arm bone moves toward the front and downward with applied force. This can cause the glenoid labrum of the shoulder socket to tear, making the shoulder joint less stable and more prone to repeat dislocations. Bankart lesions
- [How to Use Kinesio Tape for Your Ankle and Does It Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/kinesio-tape-ankle/) - Kinesio Tape is a type of elastic, athletic tape that can be used to treat pain and swelling after an ankle injury. It mayalso improve local circulation in the injured area. While the mechanisms behind its benefits are not fully understood, research has shown that Kinesio Tape can improve proprioception, or the body’s awareness of
- [How to Use KT Tape for Your Shoulders: Does It Really Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/kt-tape-shoulders/) - KT Tape is one of the many brands of Kinesio Tape that has become wildly popular over the past few years. This class of tape was invented about 50 years ago by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor who wanted to mimic a practitioner’s hands while the patient is away from the clinic. The tape
- [Full Guide to Shoulder Pain: Causes, Treatments, and Evidence](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/shoulder-pain/) - Shoulder pain is any discomfort, aching, or pain experienced in or around the shoulder joint. Symptoms can manifest in the front, back, top, or at the armpit. Given the complexity of the shoulder joint and pain, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is causing the pain. This guide covers the research behind the
- [How Reliable Are Torn Rotator Cuff Tests?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-reliable-are-torn-rotator-cuff-tests/) - There are many shoulder tests that can help rule in or rule out a rotator cuff tear. These include: Drop arm test Belly press test Lift off test Empty can test Full Can test Hornblower’s test Bear hug Physical therapists use these tests based on the size, location, age, and condition of the tear as
- [Is Craniosacral Therapy Legit? What You Should Know Before You Try](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/craniosacral-therapy/) - Traditionally, craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle type of manual therapy that focuses on treating the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord—collectively, the craniosacral system. Practitioners use light touch to release tension and stress, believing low amplitude of the craniosacral rhythm indicates low vitality in the person. It can be
- [RMT vs LMT: What’s the Difference?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/rmt-vs-lmt/) - What’s the difference between a RMT and a LMT? While the titles registered massage therapists (RMTs) and licensed massage therapists (LMTs) are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences between them if you’re considering a career in massage therapy. One key contrast between RMTs and LMTs lies in their education and training requirements. While neither needs
- [What causes hip pain that radiates down your leg?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/hip-pain/) - Hip pain comes in a garden-variety like shoulder pain, knee pain, and back pain. And so, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for it. Sometimes different types of hip pain overlap with one another, like hip flexor pain with snapping hip syndrome. And sometimes pelvic pain, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, can have similar symptoms
- [Pain Behind the Knee: Causes, Treatments, and Massage](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain-behind-knee/) - Posterior knee pain may be caused by injuries to areas like the back corners of the knee, the lateral collateral ligament, posterior oblique ligament, or the iliotibial band (IT band). Other causes of pain behind the knee include: Baker’s cyst Hamstring strain PCL tear Vascular problems in the posterior thigh Posterior knee anatomy The knee
- [What does a PCL tear feel like? Treatment, recovery, evidence](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pcl-tear/) - A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear is an injury in the back of your knee, which can cause pain, instability, and difficulty walking or participating in physical activities. While it’s less common than other types of knee ligament injuries, like an ACL tear or a LCL tear, it still can limit your ability to move.
- [Does massage work for jumper’s knee?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/jumpers-knee/) - Jumper’s knee has long plagued athletes regardless of sport or skill level. It typically affects young athletes participating in high-impact sports, such as basketball, volleyball, track and field, tennis, and football. NBA’s Dwayne Wade and Kyrie Irving had it, and so did Super Bowl’s most valuable player Julian Edelman and baseball superstar Vladimir Guerrero. It’s
- [Hamstring Strain: Should You Get a Massage?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/hamstring-strain/) - A hamstring strain or a pulled hamstring is an injury where one or more of the three hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus) get overstretched or torn. It often occurs at the long head of the biceps femoris during the end phase of the leg swing during a sprint. It usually happens toward the
- [Medial Meniscus Tear: Do You Need Surgery?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/medial-meniscus-tear/) - Your knee consists of a medial and a lateral menisci, one on the inner side (medial) and one on the outer side (lateral), situated between the respective ends of the femur and the tibia. A medial meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage that acts as a cushion and provides stability by distributing weight and reducing friction
- [What Is Pes Anserine Bursitis?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pes-anserine-bursitis/) - Pes anserine bursitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the bursa located between the tibia and the three tendons of the hamstring muscle at the inside of the knee. Pes anserine is Latin for “goose’s foot” because of its shape. It can result from direct trauma, overuse, or as part of the secondary symptoms of another
- [Why Does Bending Your Knee Hurts and What You Can Do](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/knee-hurt-when-bending-leg/) - About 25% of U.S. adults experience some type of knee pain, an increase of 65% since the late 1990s. Pain from bending the knee often stems from several causes rather than just one, such as osteoarthritis, nerve impingement, bursitis, and a partial medial or lateral meniscus tear. Overlapping symptoms can make diagnosis and treatment difficult.
- [Best Exercises for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome/) - Patellofemoral pain syndrome, or PFPS, describes pain in the front of the knee after sitting with your knees bent for a while, especially when you sit in a tight space on a long flight or in a movie theater. Sometimes PFPS is called “runners’ knee”, which is a vague term to describe PFPS in runners.
- [Can Massage Help an LCL Injury?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lcl-injury/) - An LCL injury refers to a tear or sprain to the lateral collateral ligament, which is on the outer side of the knee. The ligament connects the femur to the fibula and works with the medial collateral ligament (MCL) to limit side-to-side motion of the knee and brace it against unusual movement. They keep the
- [Baker’s Cyst: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Massage](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/bakers-cyst/) - A Baker’s cyst, or a popliteal cyst, is the inflammation of a bursa in the back of the knee. This is often caused by rapid accumulation of the fluids in the bursa, which may lead to inflammation from constant rubbing of the muscles and tendons during movement. While this is more common among adults with
- [Should You Get a Massage for Deep Vein Thrombosis?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/deep-vein-thrombosis/) - Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is where a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep in your body, and sometimes, its symptoms can be felt in behind your knee when the clot is formed or forming in the popliteal vein. This can be fatal if the clot breaks off and travels to the heart
- [Can a Lateral Meniscus Tear Heal Itself, and Does Massage Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lateral-meniscus-tear/) - A lateral meniscus tear is a rip in the cartilage on the outer side of the knee joint, which may cause pain, swelling, and limited knee movement. The incidence of meniscus tears has been reported to be 12% to 14%. This number may be as high as 50% as we age. Meniscus tears are the
- [Does patellar tracking disorder cause knee pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/patellar-tracking-disorder/) - Patellar tracking disorder refers to patella (kneecap) moving out of place when you bend or extend your knee. Many physical therapists and other clinicians believe that this “imbalance” is the cause of most types of knee pain, such as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). But do you really need to fix your knee tracking? Is patellar
- [Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Does massage work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/rheumatoid-arthritis/) - Rheumatoid arthritis — or RA — is an autoimmune disorder that lasts a lifetime. It typically affects your joints, like fingers, shoulders, and knees, but it may affect your eyes, lungs, blood vessels, skin, and heart. Since massage therapy can help alleviate pain for many types of chronic pain conditions, it may also help your
- [What do knee braces do?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-do-knee-braces-do/) - Knee braces are medical devices worn around the knee joint to provide stability, support, and/or protection. These braces are often used by people with new knee injuries, after knee surgery, or who suffer from chronic conditions, such as arthritis. Knee braces can be condition-specific or used for general knee pain. What do knee braces treat?
- [5 best DonJoy knee braces](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/5-best-donjoy-knee-braces/) - DonJoy knee braces provide direct to consumer options beyond your standard knee sleeve. Once mostly available via prescription only, these braces are now easily obtainable in stores and online for anyone who needs a little extra support for their knees. DonJoy’s line of braces includes products that target users who have: Chronic knee conditions such
- [Does massage reduce arthritis pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-massage-reduce-arthritis-pain/) - If you’re struggling with arthritis pain, you may find relief with massage therapy. The benefits of massage include improved local circulation, relaxation, and pain reduction. It is not a cure for arthritis, but it can allow you to move better and live more independently. This article examines how massage works and the scientific evidence behind
- [Outcome-based vs. mechanism-based studies in massage therapy: Why should we care?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-research/) - 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 practices to ensure the best
- [How to fact check massage therapy research: 6 things to look for](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/six-details-to-ask-when-reading-massage-therapy-research/) - 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 biased. Check the PICO framework:
- [What does science say about Swedish massage for pain relief?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/swedish-massage/) - 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 lotion. Swedish massage involves gliding
- [Massage for joint pain: A biopsychosocial approach](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/joint-pain/) - 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 in 2019 that emerging scientific
- [What is regression to the mean in massage therapy?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-is-regression-to-the-mean/) - Regression to the mean in health care describes the tendency of the symptoms of a condition to go back to an average state after it has run its course in one extreme. Various academic fields have similar definitions of regression to the mean, such as in psychology and philosophy. For example, if you have extreme
- [Physical therapy, massage, exercise for arthritis: A review of the scientific evidence](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/physical-therapy-massage-exercise-for-arthritis-review/) - 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 the skin condition psoriasis Gout
- [Massage therapy for ankylosing spondylitis: What science says and how to find a good therapist](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-for-ankylosing-spondylitis-what-science-says-and-how-to-find-a-good-therapist/) - 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 start during the teenage years
- [Can massage reduce osteoarthritis joint pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/can-massage-reduce-osteoarthritis-joint-pain/) - 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 massage, and stress. Understanding its
- [How massage therapy may reduce psoriatic arthritis pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-massage-therapy-may-reduce-psoriatic-arthritis-pain/) - 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 family history, age 30 to
- [Can massage reduce gout pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/can-massage-reduce-gout-pain/) - 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 to reduce pain associated
- [Does massage help reduce fibromyalgia pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-massage-help-reduce-fibromyalgia-pain/) - 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 general population with women being
- [Medicare may cover massage therapy but under specific conditions](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/medicare-may-cover-massage-therapy-but-under-specific-conditions/) - 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 (or manual therapy as it
- [A system in pain: Why effective treatment for low back pain remains out of reach for many](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/why-effective-treatment-for-low-back-pain-remains-out-of-reach-for-many/) - 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 brings a different story: Debilitating
- [NICE guidelines for low back pain and sciatica needs an update, urged researchers](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain/nice-guidelines-for-low-back-pain-and-sciatica-update/) - 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 the British Journal of Sports
- [Nearly 10 years later, massage therapy evidence for low back pain is still ‘low’](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/nearly-10-years-later-massage-therapy-evidence-for-low-back-pain-is-still-low/) - 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 health outcomes associated with massage
- [Scientists review how psychological treatments alter brain networks linked to chronic pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/scientists-reviews-how-psychological-treatments-alter-brain-networks-linked-to-chronic-pain/) - 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 interventions that can change how
- [Researchers urge call-to-action to improve trust in pain research with ENTRUST-PE project](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain/researchers-urge-call-to-action-to-improve-trust-in-pain-research-with-entrust-pe-project/) - 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 practices (e.g. false reporting, fabricating
- [Untrustworthy trials skew evidence base for cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise in spinal pain, study finds](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain/untrustworthy-trials-skew-evidence-base-for-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-and-exercise-in-spinal-pain-study-finds/) - 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 chronic back pain or neck
- [Clinical equipoise: Is it possible to do a pure randomized-controlled trial in massage therapy?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/clinical-equipoise/) - 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 treatment just for research. However,
- [How gate control theory explains why massage can alleviate pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/gate-control-theory/) - If you have bumped your elbow against a table, you probably have instinctively massaged your elbow to reduce the pain. But why do you feel less pain when you rub it? And speaking of rubbing, why do many people tend to get short-term pain relief after a massage session? Based on previous pain theories,
- [Understanding pain with the neuromatrix theory: How the brain shapes your experience](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/neuromatrix-theory/) - When Lt. Col. Henry Beecher tended wounded soldiers not long after World War II, he noticed that many had varying degrees of pain despite having similar wounds. In his study published in Annals of Surgery in 1946, Beecher wrote that there is “a common belief that wounds are inevitably associated with pain” and that the
- [Deep tissue massage needs a modern narrative](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/deep-tissue-massage/) - Key takeaways: There is no consistent or commonly accepted defintion of “deep tissue massage.” Different practitoners, schools, and businesses tend to have different definitions. Deep tissue massage is different from Swedish massage by how the massage is delivered, the clients’ goals, amount of pressure, and fewer amounts of oil or lotion used. The strongest scientific
- [Kids’ back pain linked to stress more than heavy backpacks, research shows](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/backpacks-back-pain/) - A 2018 systematic review on children and teens with back pain found “no convincing evidence that aspects of schoolbag use increase the risk of back pain in children and adolescents.” Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study pooled 69 trials with a total of more than 72,600 participants. Led by Dr. Tiê
- [What is pain: A comprehensive guide for patients](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-is-pain/) - Pain is an unpleasant sensation, but it isn’t always an indication that there’s tissue damage, disease, or abnormalities in your body. After all, there are many people who have shoulder “abnormalities” or leg length discrepancies with no pain and can function well. Some amputees have pain in their leg or arm that is no longer
- [Skin sensory receptors: How context affects touch response](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/skin-sensory-receptors/) - Highlights Besides sensory receptors in the skin, context and environmental cues can affect how these receptors and the nervous system perceive touch, including massage therapy. There are three primary types of skin receptors: Mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, nociceptors. Each of these receptors have different types that detect specific types of stimuli, such as type of strokes, temperature,
- [5 chronic low back pain treatments have ‘moderate certainty evidence’ for reducing pain, researchers report](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain/5-chronic-low-back-pain-treatments-have-moderate-certainty-evidence-for-reducing-pain-researchers-report/) - Key takeaways University of Sydney researchers found one treatment (NSAIDs) to be effective at moderate-level certainty for acute low back pain Five treatments (exercise, spinal manipulation, taping, antidepressants, TRPV1 agonists) with statistically significant but small effects for chronic low back pain. All were compared to placebo. Some common treatments—like paracetamol, glucocorticoids, anaesthetics, and antibiotics—showed no
- [Exercise, psychological care show long-term relief for chronic back pain, but studies face high bias risk ](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain/exercise-psychological-care-show-long-term-relief-for-chronic-back-pain/) - A team of international researchers found that exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and multidisciplinary care could reduce chronic low back pain and disability for one year or longer. Although these treatments have at least a moderate level of certainty, about 68% of the studies have a high risk of bias. These risks of bias
- [Heavy backpacks is a risk factor to back pain in teens, but data does not show causality](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/heavy-backpacks-risk-factor-back-pain-teens/) - A 2021 systematic review of 14 trials (27,846 participants total) found a strong link between heavy backpack use and pain or musculoskeletal issues in teenagers, especially girls. Led by Dr. Nazila NeJhaddadgar from the Department of Health Promotion and Education at Ardabil University in Iran, the researchers wrote that some of the common issues reported
- [Low back pain drawings indicate physical symptoms, not psychological distress, researchers say](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/low-back-pain-drawings-indicate-physical-symptoms-not-psychological-distress/) - Researchers in a 2024 study of more than 15,300 patients with chronic low back pain found that patients’ pain drawings on a body chart “do not signify psychological distress.” Instead, they find that these drawings are more closely associated with physical symptoms, such as disability, pain duration, and pain intensity. The study was published in
- [How exercise can reduce your risk of cancer—Part 1: Biological mechanisms](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/how-exercise-can-reduce-your-risk-of-cancer-part-1-biological-mechanisms/) - A 15-year Canadian study of 889 patients with colon cancer found that those who exercised regularly had about a 25% lower risk of cancer recurrence and death over a five-year period than the control group who received health education. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2025, the study also reported a 6.4%
- [How exercise reduces your risk of cancer—Part 2: Psychosocial and environmental factors](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/how-exercise-reduces-risk-of-cancer-part-2-psychosocial-environmental-factors/) - Part one of exercise and cancer highlights the evidence of what and how exercise can reduce the risk of cancer and the biological mechanisms behind exercise on cancer. Part two focuses on the psychological, social, and environmental factors that reduce the risk of some cancer and improve cancer survivors’ quality of life. It also explores
- [Weight discrimination linked to chronic pain, but researchers say it’s more complex than that](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/weight-discrimination-linked-to-chronic-pain/) - Could being overweight increase the risk of having chronic pain? Some researchers think so. A 2025 study published in The Journal of Pain found that people ages 50 and up with chronic pain have also experienced “greater discrimination than people without pain in a community-based sample.” The researchers wrote that people with higher body mass
- [Research challenges idea that upper cross syndrome causes pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/upper-cross-syndrome/) - Upper cross syndrome refers to the hunched posture of the upper body, particularly in the shoulder girdle, neck and head, and upper spine. Certain upper body muscles are considered “tight” and “weak,” which may cause less flexibility in the shoulders, discomfort, and pain. Former clients whom I used to see regularly for massage therapy fit
- [What science says about forward head posture and neck pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/forward-head-posture/) - If you had spent many hours on your phone or computer, you may have heard warnings about forward head posture. Some clinicians and fitness trainers claim on social media that forward head may damage your neck and spine and is the primary cause of migraines. Does scientific evidence support this idea? Well, the short answer
- [Slouching isn’t the villain: What research reveals about posture and back pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/types-of-posture/) - Posture is one of the most common explanations you may have heard about as a primary cause of back pain. You likely have seen products and services online that promise to “fix your posture,” such as posture correctors, corrective exercise, and chiropractic adjustments. Posture matters to a degree, but not in a simplistic way you
- [Does Medicare cover exercise therapy for cancer?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/insurance/does-medicare-cover-exercise-for-cancer/) - For decades, the standard advice for patients with cancer was rest: Conserve energy, avoid exertion, and let treatments work. More recently, science has rewritten that script. Emerging evidence from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) underscores that exercise isn’t just safe—it’s a powerful adjunct therapy in treating cancer.
- [Health equity in pain science: Rebuilding how research measures human experience](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/health-equity-pain-science-2025/) - An international group of researchers has developed a standardized dataset aimed at improving how pain researchers document social and structural factors that influence pain. The initiative, known as Identifying Social factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes (ISSHOOs), outlines a core set of sociodemographic variables that pain studies should collect to increase consistency, transparency, and
- [Despite mixed results, pain education evidence should be taken into context, researchers say](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain-education/) - A 2025 systematic review published in the European Journal of Physiotherapy reported that pain neuroscience education may reduce chronic neck pain compared with other therapies. Based on seven randomized-controlled trials with a total of 11 interventions and 422 people, the researchers found pain education groups “showed effectiveness” for kinesiophobia, fear and avoidance beliefs, pain catastrophization,
- [Research shows rounded shoulders rarely cause pain and why movement matters more](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/rounded-shoulders/) - Rounded shoulders is where your shoulders are rotated forward, pulling the shoulder girdle forward, which shortens your chest muscles and stretches your upper back and trapezius muscles. It is often a result of upper cross syndrome, which includes a forward head posture and kyphosis. Upper cross syndrome is thought to throw the upper body out
- [Best CBD oil for massage therapy](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/best-cbd-massage-oil/) - CBD treatments are everywhere, from the local nail salon to high end spas, but why use topical CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many components of the sativa strain of the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a common psychoactive component, it doesn’t give you the feeling of being “high.” Some studies show the topical use
- [CBT and chronic pain: A closer look at the evidence](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/) - For 50 million Americans living with chronic pain—whether nagging back pain from desk work or the deep ache of fibromyalgia—this uninvited guest controls thoughts, tightens muscles, robs energy and relationships, and turns simple joys like a park walk into dreaded chores. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) offers a way to turn down the fear and frustration
- [Researchers argue nociception is necessary for pain, yet ‘strengthens’ biopsychosocial model](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/nociception-is-necessary-for-pain/) - Pain science has leaned on a familiar aphorism: Nociception is neither necessary nor sufficient for pain. The phrase typically appears in textbooks, lectures, and research papers, often used to explain why pain can exist without clear tissue damage. But according to pain researchers Asaf Weisman, Dr. Milton Cohen, and Dr. John Quintner, that aphorism—an “expression
- [Pelvic tilt posture assessments are unreliable because of anatomy variations](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pelvic-tilt-posture-assessments-unreliable-anatomy-variations/) - A 2020 study of non-surgical treatments for the anterior pelvic tilt reported “no evidence supports excessive anterior pelvic tilt as an isolated clinical disorder or pathology.” and having a cutoff point in determining what an excessive pelvic tilt means can be misleading because “sagittal balance can be individually regulated to maintain a proper posture.” In
- [Do posture correctors work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/do-posture-correctors-work/) - Posture correctors are supposed to help with spinal alignment while also teaching you what “proper” posture feels like. The question of whether posture correctors work may be somewhat related to the goal of the wearer. If the idea is to get you to avoid slouching, sure, they do that. But if the goal is to
- [PainCloud 2018 conference: Changing how pain and function are treated](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/paincloud-2018-conference-changing-how-to-treat-and-understand-pain-and-function/) - Nearly 150 clinicians attended PainCloud 2018 at the Thon Conference Universitetsgaten in Oslo, Norway on the weekend of April 21-22. The speakers included Dr. Jason Silvernail (U.S.), Lars Avemarie (Sweden), Dr. Mary O'Keeffe (Ireland), Dr. Silje Endresen Reme (Norway), Sigurd Mikkelsen (Norway), Derek Griffin (Ireland), Joletta Belton (U.S.), Todd Hargrove (U.S.), and Dr. Tasha Stanton
- [Does Narrative Medicine Have a Place in Massage Therapy?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-narrative-medicine-have-a-place-in-massage-therapy/) - Compared to most healthcare professionals, massage therapists are among the few who spend the most time with patients. They touch them during the entire session, which is typically 30 to 60 minutes long. The nature of the work and environment allows massage therapists and patients to be more engaged with each other during the session.
- [Researchers have “little confidence” in massage therapy for low back pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/researchers-have-little-confidence-in-massage-therapy-for-low-back-pain/) - While many people seek massage therapy as a way to alleviate low back pain, researchers from the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto, Canada, concluded in a 2015 meta-analysis that they have “very little confidence that massage is an effective treatment for [low back pain].” Based on 25 randomized-controlled trials with a total of
- [Core training is not better than other exercises for acute or chronic low back pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/core-training-exercises-low-back-pain/) - Some personal trainers and physical therapists believe that certain exercise modalities are “better” than other types of modalities or exercises for working with clients and patients with low back pain. However, years of data and research indicate that these ideas may not be very true. Two 2016 Cochrane Reviews conducted by researchers at the University
- [Is ‘Explain Pain’ as good as listening and paying attention to low back pain patients?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/explain-pain-is-just-as-good-as-listening-and-giving-attention-for-low-back-pain-patients/) - A few years ago, I recall seeing many of my friends and acquaintances in physical therapy talk about how great “Explain Pain Supercharged” was in helping them and their patients understand how pain works. Although I have not yet read the whole book, I had read a few passages when I visited Dr. Sandy Hilton
- [Massage therapy for knee osteoarthritis provides short-term pain relief](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-knee-osteoarthritis/) - A recent cross-sectional study from Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, found that massage therapy (Swedish style) can alleviate pain among people with knee osteoarthritis. It was better than groups that received light touching or “usual care.” However, the benefits of massage therapy lessened after eight weeks, and by week 52, there was “no
- [If Cancer Feeds on Lactate, Wouldn’t More Athletes Get Cancer?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/if-cancer-feeds-on-lactate-wouldnt-more-young-athletes-get-cancer/) - Athletes — especially those who perform high-intensity and long-duration activities like marathons and Tour de France — produce a huge amount of lactate compared to most non-athletes. However, since cancer cells thrive on lactate as their primary source of fuel, wouldn’t that process increase ultramarathoners’ and similar endurance athletes’ risk of cancer? A 2016 study
- [Descending Modulation: Why Massage Therapy Can Alleviate Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/descending-modulation-why-massage-therapy-alleviates-pain/) - Daddy, I got owie! My toddler says this often and usually goes out of his way to announce it. I usually give the spot a kiss or two, and then he goes back to what he’s doing. Problem solved, presumably because daddy’s kisses are magical. At other times when he has a fever with widespread
- [How Immune, Endocrine, Nervous Systems Influence Pain in a Lifetime](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/immune-endocrine-nervous-systems-pain/) - Our experience with chronic pain constantly changes throughout our life, even before birth. Oftentimes, it’s a gradual change that we don’t notice until one day, the pain disrupts our daily routine and we take action to alleviate it. While modern pain scientists recognizes that the nervous system plays an important role in how we feel
- [Why Massage Therapists Should Understand How Pain Works](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-pain-education/) - Recently, I had a client who told me that not only his right shoulder felt “tight" and sometimes painful when he retracts it, he also “could not retract" as much as his left side could. Although I could not find any significant differences between both sides (he could almost pinch a ping-pong ball with his scapulae),
- [What Is Acute Pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/acute-pain/) - Many people would agree that pain is unpleasant and disrupts their quality of life, regardless of whether it is acute pain or chronic pain. But pain is a necessary survival mechanism that teaches us to avoid danger and behaviors that increase the risk of personal harm. Without pain, we probably would have a hard time
- [How Immune System Contributes to Pain With Nervous System](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/immune-system-pain-nervous-system/) - When massage therapists explain pain to their patients or clients, they tend to tell their narrative based on the musculoskeletal system—and sometimes— the nervous system. While it is obvious that an ankle sprain or a knife wound is from tissue damage, our immune system are on the fringes of our peripheral tissues to serve as
- [Massage Therapy for Pain: How It Works Beyond Muscles](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pain-science-massage-therapy/) - Two years prior to treatment, a fellow ballet dancer stretched Emily’s foot and toes in plantar flexion but went too far to a point where she felt something was off. A few days later, she developed severe pain on the dorsolateral part of her right foot and continued to increase over weeks to a debilitating
- [Massage Therapists Provides Pain Relief a Hospital Setting](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/pediatric-massage-a-glimpse-at-providing-pain-relief-at-a-hospital-setting/) - Imagine being a child in the hospital with several weeks of treatment ahead of you before you can go home. Doctors and nurses enter your room multiple times a day, dressed in isolation gowns, gloves, and masks. They visit you about your medication, progress, and upcoming procedures. Then they leave. During some visits, someone takes
- [Oregon Pain Summit 2021: What to Expect](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/oregon-pain-summit-2021-what-to-expect/) - The third annual Oregon Pain Summit will be held on Jan. 22-23, 2021, and like most conferences in 2020, this will be held virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike the previous two summits that focused more on patients and public health, the upcoming event will focus more on clinicians and caregivers with the theme
- [What Can Massage Therapy Do For Disc Herniation?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-can-massage-therapy-do-for-disc-herniation/) - In 2015, many physical therapists and massage therapists on social media were excited about a study that concluded disc herniation and other physical “abnormalities” of the spine are “part of normal aging and unassociated with low back pain.” Published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology, the researchers found that “thirty percent of those in their
- [Why Massage Therapy Needs to Be Trauma-Informed](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/why-massage-therapy-needs-to-be-trauma-informed/) - In the last decade, many educational programs have updated their policies and curricula to be trauma-informed, but massage therapy lags behind, even though it’s one of the professions that could most benefit from a trauma-informed update. Massage therapists are often sought after to reduce pain and anxiety, so a disproportionate number of trauma survivors become
- [Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Revising the Cinderella Hypothesis](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/myofascial-pain-syndrome-cinderella-hypothesis/) - The energy crisis hypothesis is generally accepted as the underlying cause for the development of trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome, which led to the development of several treatments for these symptoms, including trigger point injections and trigger point therapy. However, there are some problems with the hypothesis that did not stand up to recent
- [Is It Bad to Pop Your Back?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/is-it-bad-to-pop-your-back/) - Many people find short-term stress and pain relief from back pain by “popping” their back or have a manual therapist, like a chiropractor, do it for them. Common ways to pop your back include sitting on a chair or standing up and turn your torso to your right or left or using a foam roller.
- [Alexander Scriabin: A Musician’s Quest to Fame and Pain Relief](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/alexander-scriabin-a-musicians-quest-to-fame-and-pain-relief/) - Case studies are often considered as low-quality evidence in the scientific hierarchy of evidence, but sometimes they can shed some insight, evoke new questions, and help us understand an unfamiliar topic better with storytelling. Because case studies are often narrated like a story, the information tends to get retained better than plain data. The case
- [Sports Massage Benefits: What Does Science Say?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/sports-massage/) - Sports massage is a mixed bag of different techniques, such as effleurage, petrissage, and trigger point therapy, that are very similar to the ones found in Swedish massage. Sports massage doesn’t necessarily involve the therapist applying bone-deep pressure to the muscles that make you hiss in pain. Currently, there’s no consensus of the definition of
- [What Is Dynamic Stretching and When Should You Use It?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/dynamic-stretching/) - Dynamic stretching definition Dynamic stretching is a type of stretching that involves moving your joints through your normal range of motion repeatedly. Do not confuse this with ballistic stretching because dynamic stretching is done in a controlled manner. The ballistic version is done in a fast and uncontrolled way, which includes bobbing and bouncing. While the
- [Massage Therapist Resume: 6 Tips That Make You Stand Out ](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapist-resume/) - If you’re seeking a job, it’s important to prepare a resume. Many employers require one, and even if it’s not required, having one gives an employer the impression of professionalism. Put yourself in the employer’s shoes: would you be more apt to contact the applicant who submitted a resume, or the one who left their
- [Why Massage Therapy Education Needs Critical Thinking](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/why-massage-therapy-needs-critical-thinking/) - “Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture.” ~ Francis Bacon (1605) If a patient feels better, then where is the harm? This question often comes up in any semester
- [What Is Informed Consent and Why Massage Therapy Needs It?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-is-informed-consent/) - Informed consent is an integral part of massage therapy because it represents a contract between you and your patient or client about what is about to happen when the massage begins. Consent is now generally recognized as the basis of the assumption of the risk. It may seem more relevant to use informed consent in
- [An American’s Reflection of RMTBC 2016 Manual Therapy Conference](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/an-americans-reflection-of-rmtbc-2016-manual-therapy-conference/) - If there is an excuse for me to travel — to get me out of my southern California bubble — then going to conferences, such as the 2016 Manual Therapy Conference (MTC), would be one. I have only attended such conferences for manual therapists twice, and that was with the San Diego Pain Summit. But
- [RMTBC Brings Mental Health Awareness to Massage Therapists](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/rmtbc-brings-mental-health-awareness-to-massage-therapists-but-why-should-they-care/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px"]As a massage therapist who works primarily with relatively healthy clients in a spa or house-call environment, I never thought massage therapy has a pretty big role in mental health care. I mean, when someone is suffering from PTSD, Kurt-Cobain level of depression,
- [San Diego Pain Summit: Four Years of Pain Science and Growing](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/san-diego-pain-summit-four-years-of-pain-science-and-getting-stronger/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text 2" _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px"]Back in 2015, I had no idea that the San Diego Pain Summit would sprout into an international conference, branching to different manual therapists and other healthcare professionals in different countries. While it is still quite young, it has already attracted the attention
- [2018 San Diego Pain Summit Focuses on Patients’ Perspective](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/listening-its-harder-than-it-sounds-another-humble-year-at-2018-san-diego-pain-summit/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text 1" _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px"]The San Diego Pain Summit attracts massage therapists from many countries who wants to be more informed about their practice from research and other healthcare disciplines. Every season of Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead often have a plot twist that totally catches fans off-guard. Well,
- [2019 San Diego Pain Summit Season Five: Emotions, Connections, Resilience](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/2019-san-diego-pain-summit-season-five-emotions-connections-resilience/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="T1" _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]It’s still too early for me to say whether my communication skills at work has improved or not after a week-long boot camp at the 2019 San Diego Pain Summit. Nearly all clients I had so far this week
- [San Diego Pain Summit 2021: What You Can Expect](https://massagefitnessmag.com/events/san-diego-pain-summit-2021/) - For the first time in its seven-year history, the San Diego Pain Summit will be hosting its 2021 event on Feb. 19-21 completely online because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike most virtual conferences where the presenters will speak live, attendees will get a recorded video of their 30-minute presentation before the conference days. After they
- [What Is a Chair Massage? A Beginner’s Guide](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/chair-massage/) - Humans have found all sorts of ways to adapt massage to the culture, the environment, and the resources available, and that means there are more options for varieties of massage than even a seasoned massage therapist can name. Whether you’re an office worker, a convention attendee, a grocery shopper, or a weary airline traveler, you
- [Myth of How to Improve Your Posture in Mass Media](https://massagefitnessmag.com/editorials/myth-of-how-to-improve-your-posture/) - What the media says about posture and pain is the opposite of what science says. Recently, I saw a New Yorker article on Instagram where the reporter interviewed several people, including a chiropractor and a founder of a posture corrector device company, about the dangers of certain postures and what their products can do to
- [How to Become Flexible With Strength Training](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-to-become-flexible-with-strength-training/) - You may not need to stretch to become more flexible when you hit the gym or before playing a sport. Emerging research in the last two decades found that strength training is just as effective as stretching to improve your flexibility, and stretching may not be as ‘great’ or a requirement as many personal trainers,
- [How to Become an Entrepreneur in Massage Therapy](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-to-become-an-entrepreneur-in-massage-therapy/) - Becoming an entrepreneur in massage therapy is somewhat different from other professions where you might see articles that advise you to become your own boss. While there are some overlaps in recommendations among different professions, this guide serves specifically for massage therapists. When starting on your entrepreneurial journey: Ask yourself: what do you want to
- [Massage Therapist Cover Letter: 6 Ways to Increase Job Hire](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapist-cover-letter/) - A cover letter serves to introduce yourself to prospective massage therapy employers. It mentions the high points of your resume and states the job you wish to apply for. While not every employer may expect a cover letter, including one with your resume makes you appear more professional. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a cover letter
- [Bridging Descartes to Melzack and Wall, Specificity to Gate-Control Theory of Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/bridging-descartes-to-melzack-and-wall-specificity-to-gate-control-theory-of-pain/) - We owe much of our current understanding and treatment of pain to many scientists, clinicians, and philosophers in the past centuries. From René Descartes’ origin of the specificity theory of pain to Dr. Ronald Melzack and Dr. Patrick Wall’s gate control theory of pain, pain science and treatment has been redefined and reframed several times
- [6 Tips to Land a Massage Therapy Job](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-jobs/) - When seeking a job in massage therapy: 1. Make a wish list of what you’re looking for in a job, such as the pay you want, the hours and days you would like to work, benefits you’re hoping to receive, and opportunities for advancement. Narrow your job search to a specific environment you wish to
- [5 Questions Massage Therapists Should Ask During a Job Interview](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-job-interview/) - There are many websites that tell massage therapists what to expect from a job interview from the employer’s perspective, but few massage schools teach the therapist how to interview the employer. There are questions that you are better off knowing the answer to before you agree to accept a job, which is a much better
- [Top Massage Therapy Continuing Education That Can Excel Your Practice (U.S. and Canada)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/top-massage-therapy-continuing-education-us-canada/) - Finding reliable information relating to massage therapy is tough for both clinicians and the public, and finding continuing education courses (CECs) that are up-to-date on the latest understanding of pain, movement, and touch based on good science and humanities may be even tougher. This is a problem many massage and other manual therapists encounter when
- [Kinesio Taping and McConnell Taping Not Better Than Sham for Knee Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/kt-tape-mcconnell-taping-knee-pain/) - Research finds no difference in pain outcomes among Kinesio Taping, McConnell taping, and sham taping, but what does this mean for manual therapists and patients with knee pain?
- [Can Your Massage Therapist Stretch Your Fascia?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/fascia-massage-therapy/) - Many massage therapists and personal trainers believe that they can stretch fascia or break adhesions with manual therapy, foam rollers, or other tools and methods. However, no quality evidence exists to date that says we can stretch or change the shape of fascia in any lasting or meaningful manner. The idea is just implausible. Although
- [Half of 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics Sample Have Spine Pathologies Yet Still Competed](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/2016-rio-de-janeiro-olympics-spinal-pathology/) - Many studies in more than 20 years have shown that spinal pathologies, certain types of posture and pelvic tilts, and similar structural “problems” do not always correlate or associate with pain, disability, and daily function. Even among elite Olympic athletes, MRI scans, and other types of scans found similar trends. A recent American study, led by
- [Top Continuing Education for Massage Therapy in U.K.](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/top-continuing-education-massage-therapy-uk/) - Like in Canada, the U.S., and parts of continental Europe, more manual therapists in the U.K. are moving toward a biopsychosocial model approach to their work rather than the biomechanical model that still dominates current massage and other manual therapy curriculum. Some practitioners have already updated their narrative about how massage or other types of
- [Upper Back Pain and Shoulder Pain: Is There a Relationship?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/upper-back-pain-shoulder-pain/) - A recent systematic review published in Manual Therapy did not find a strong association between the curvature of the thoracic spine and shoulder pain — or more specifically subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) — based on ten studies. This condition is described as a “non-traumatic shoulder pain, localised around the acromion, which worsens during or subsequent to lifting
- [Hunched Shoulders May Be an Adaptation to Avoid Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/hunched-shoulders-may-be-adaptation-to-avoid-pain/) - A recent study published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery challenges the existing idea that shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is caused by compression between the coracoacromial arch and the humerus during shoulder elevation above the shoulder height. Oftentimes, patients with SIS tend to have anteriorly tilted shoulders, causing the typical hunching posture. (1) Nine
- [Top Manual Therapy Continuing Education in Europe to Excel Your Practice (2021)](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/top-manual-therapy-continuing-education-europe/) - While different countries in Europe have different legalities and scope of practice in various manual therapies, many practitioners are bound by a common interest in science-based practice. Like in the U.S. and Canada, some manual therapy continuing education still leans heavily toward the biomechanical and biomedical models of pain, which often associate with the degree
- [What Is Reflexology and Does It Work?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/reflexology/) - Back in the early 1990s, I first read about reflexology from one of my mom’s Hong Kong tabloid magazines. The cover photo depicted a “map” of the feet in Chinese, indicating that pressure upon a specific area on the foot or toes can ease pain or “promote healing” to certain internal organs. The narrative sounds
- [Posture Not Associated With Back Pain Among Teens, a 10-Year Study](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/posture-not-associated-with-back-pain-among-teens-a10-year-study/) - You may remember when you were a kid or teenager, your parents told you to sit or stand up straight or don’t slouch or you'll hurt your back. However, this idea that hunching or having too much lordosis alone can cause back pain is not supported by current research. In fact, many studies in the
- [Top 10 Research That Challenged Pain Dogma in 2010 to 2019](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/top-10-research-that-challenged-pain-dogma-in-2010-to-2019/) - The 2010s saw a gradual shift in interest in massage and physical therapy education in applying research to practice, particularly in the area of pain. Many research during the 2010s challenged traditional ideas on how pain works and what it is. Since most of these research are built upon previous research in the previous decades,
- [Ronald Melzack, Psychologist Who Changed How Patients in Pain Are Treated, Dies at 90](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/ronald-melzack-psychologist-who-changed-how-patients-in-pain-are-treated-dies-at-90/) - Going beyond muscles, bones, and joints, Dr. Ronald Melzack paved a path to a more complex yet holistic way of understanding pain, leading to a gentler approach to treating patients. Famed psychologist and pain researcher Ronald Melzack died on Sunday, December 22, 2019, in Montréal. His work had revolutionized how clinicians and patients understand pain
- [Should You Fix Posterior Pelvic Tilt?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/posterior-pelvic-tilt/) - Posterior pelvic tilt is one of the several types of postures that many manual therapists and personal trainers may have learned during their career—along with uneven hips, upper cross syndrome, forward head posture, rounded shoulders, etc. The idea behind learning about these types of posture is to identify potential causes of pain, limitations of movement,
- [What Is Femoroacetabular Impingement: Treatment and Evidence](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/femoroacetabular-impingement/) - When I was in graduate school, the diagnosis “femoroacetabular impingement”—or FAI—was a relatively new and unknown phenomenon. While I was spending most of my time examining the relationship between movement abnormalities and the development of low back pain, my friend Davor was investigating risk factors that led to the development of FAI and hip
- [What Is a Prenatal Massage? An Updated Narrative for 2020](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/prenatal-massage/) - Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life and comes with its own unique set of joys. It can also come with its own unique set of discomforts and stresses. What do you do when you have a headache or an achy back and you don’t want to take medications? A good prenatal massage
- [How Massage Therapists Can Work With Pelvic Pain Physical Therapists](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-massage-therapists-can-work-with-pelvic-pain-physical-therapists/) - Massage therapists can be an important entry point to access of care. With direct public access and discussion with patients about their pain and life challenges, massage therapists will often hear patients’ problems first. By Sandy Hilton and Sarah Haag A pelvic health physical therapist is trained in specific internal (vaginal and rectal) examination of
- [Intellectual Property: Whose Idea Is It Anyway?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/intellectual-property/) - There are two primary types of intellectual property about which massage therapists should be aware: copyrights and trademarks. Generally, copyrights protect original works of authorship like writings or illustrations. Trademarks protect words, phrases, symbols, or designs which identify the source of the goods or services. Patents, a third type of intellectual property not addressed in
- [Behind-the-Scenes of Peer Review for Massage Therapists](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/behind-the-scenes-of-peer-review-for-massage-therapists/) - Clinicians are likely to trust peer-reviewed studies, but the peer-review process is often a mysterious one and riddled with errors. Why do we have peer review? What does it do well and where it sometimes falls short? What are the current challenges in the peer-review system, and what actions the research community is taking to
- [Challenges for Future of American Massage Education](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-education-challenges/) - We talk a lot about massage therapy as a healthcare profession, but are we really making any progress toward that goal? When I graduated massage school in 1992, we were deeply enmeshed in the passionate arguments you still find online about whether “energy medicine” has anything to do with massage therapy and its licensing and
- [Don’t Be a Tone Police on Social Media](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/dont-be-a-tone-police-on-social-media/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]Many people may consider physicist Stephen Hawkings to be one of the brightest minds in the history of modern physics. Even with his huge contribution to his field and our understanding of the universe, some people, including his colleagues, would still
- [Why ‘Energy Work’ Is at Odds With Ethics in Massage Therapy](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/why-energy-work-is-at-odds-with-ethics-in-massage-therapy/) - One of the biggest dividing lines in massage therapy is between evidence-based practitioners and therapists who practice ‘energy work.’ Both terms can be vague since there are many methods and modalities of massage, and many of them fall into the energy work. category. Some have been around for many years, which doesn’t mean they are
- [Massage Therapy: Are You an Independent Contractor or Employee?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-independent-contractor-employee/) - Avoid common mistakes in massage employment that invite government scrutiny and penalties “Our therapists are 1099 employees.” “I’m an independent contractor, but without the independence.” “My independent contractors have all signed a non-compete agreement.” “They’re not employees because they choose their own hours.” These statements misconstrue the distinction between employees and independent contractors. An
- [It’s Okay to Massage Pregnant Women’s Ankles](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-pregnancy-myths/) - The Myths and Facts of Massage Therapy for Pregnant Women There are many misconceptions about prenatal massage in the massage therapy community. Some of these ideas may deny the benefits of massage to pregnant women who seek it, and some of this misinformation could actually do harm by causing serious emotional distress. Let’s look at
- [How a Massage Therapist Built His Business in Vancouver Before the Internet](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-therapy-vancouver-ken-leong/) - I have been a registered massage therapist (RMT) in British Columbia, Canada, for just over 30 years. For my first five years, I worked at a busy, established massage therapy office in Vancouver that had all the neighbouring doctors referring to it. Following the tradition of taking five years to earn a “black belt” —
- [Cupping: Sucking Out the Poison of a Toxic World](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/cupping-sucking-out-the-poison-of-a-toxic-world/) - Cupping has existed in folk medicine for more than two thousand years. At the 2016 Olympics, the tell-tale circular bruises on Michael Phelp’s back put the spotlight on cupping, with many asking, “What is this and why? Should I be getting cupping? After all, what’s good enough for elite gold medalist Michael Phelps is good
- [Scope of Practice Protects Massage Therapists From Malpractice](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/scope-of-practice-massage-therapy/) - The letters that follow your name (like “LMT,” “CMT”) identify your responsibilities and limitations. Your title defines the who, what, when, where, and how of your professional scope of practice. Confusion, frustration, and resentment shadow many massage professionals’ understanding of their place among other wellness providers. “Are certain modalities exclusive to my profession?” “How
- [Veterans and Refugees: How Massage Therapy Can Help](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/how-massage-therapy-can-help-veterans-and-refugees/) - Massage therapy can help alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms among veterans and refugees, but is the profession ready to care for this population? “Ever since my wife died, I can’t sleep—the back pain keeps me awake all night,” said the patient who was a Vietnamese refugee who had served in the South Vietnamese military during
- [What Would a Modern Massage Therapy Course Look Like?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/what-would-a-modern-massage-therapy-course-look-like/) - We massage therapists have a lot to offer to people in distress from pain, depression, anxiety, and other conditions, and the numbers show that we are desperately needed. So why aren’t we already working as healthcare providers? The need is certainly there. American physician David Eisenberg’s 1993 article on patterns of usage in the U.S.
- [How the Internet Challenged What We Know About Massage Therapy](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/internet-challenged-massage-therapy/) - I’ve been an Internet-loving massage therapist since 1994, and I’ve received a better education online than I have in most formal classrooms. The Internet has offered me the opportunity to connect with brilliant colleagues, trailblazers, and mentors around the planet, in addition to feeding me an endless stream of hilarious cat memes. The instant accessibility
- [Rise, Fall, Revision of Australia’s Massage Rebate Program](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/australia-massage-rebate-program/) - Health insurance in Australia has had many twists, turns, and a few bumps along the road, especially over the last 25 years. Although I can’t remember its importance, it dominated my thoughts prior to graduating in 1993 with a remedial massage diploma. The health insurance industry has become instrumental in regards to remedial massage becoming
- [Cochrane Review Finds Lack of Effectiveness in Muscle Energy Technique](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/muscle-energy-technique-cochrane-review/) - What is muscle energy technique? Muscle energy technique is “a system of manual therapy for the treatment of movement impairments the combines the effectiveness, safety, and specificity of reeducation therapies and therapeutic exercise. The therapist localizes and controls the procedures, while the patient provides the corrective forces and energies for the treatment as instructed by
- [Do Tight Hip Flexors Really Cause Low Back Pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/tight-hip-flexors-low-back-pain/) - Current scientific evidence reveals that tight hip flexors or psoas muscles has very little or no contribution to low back pain. For many years when I was a personal trainer, I had thought that tight iliopsoas (iliacus and psoas major/minor) is a major causation of low back pain because the tightness of the muscles would
- [Research Finds Weak Evidence of Anterior Pelvic Tilt Posture ‘Correction’ for Back Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/research-finds-weak-evidence-of-anterior-pelvic-tilt-posture-correction-for-back-pain/) - Pelvic tilt ‘corrections’ are still a big hype in manual therapy and fitness professions, yet recent research finds a lack of evidence that it needs correcting for back pain. If a physical therapist or personal trainer had told you that have an anterior pelvic tilt and you need treatments to “correct” it, chances are, you
- [Lordosis Correlates With Low Back Pain, But It Is a Not Cause](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/lumbar-lordosis-may-be-correlated-with-low-back-pain-but-it-is-not-a-cause/) - Many therapists believe that having a “normal” spinal curve is associated with less or no back pain. Thus, people with too much or too little lordosis are at a higher risk of getting low back pain. However, much of the research in the past 20-plus years do not support such causative relationship. In fact, a
- [Revisiting the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain for Massage Therapists](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/revisiting-the-biopsychosocial-model-of-pain-for-massage-therapists/) - Three massage therapists walk into a bar and saw that the bartender is grimacing in pain with one hand on his right lower back. Massage therapist A asks, “Hi Carlos, what's bothering you?” Carlos replies, “My lower back has been hurting for more than a week, and it seems to worse everyday. I take painkillers
- [Massage Therapy No Better Than Dynamic Stretching to Improve Sprinting Acceleration](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/massage-dynamic-stretching-sprinting-acceleration/) - Should you get a massage before sprinting or any sport that requires bursts of speed? Probably not. A study that was published recently in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that massage therapy alone is no better than dynamic stretching or a sham ultrasound treatment to improve acceleration in sprinting. (1) For the 12-week study, a team
- [Challenging Misperceptions of Back Pain Among Indigenous Australians: Interview With Dr. Ivan Lin](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/indigenous-australians-low-back-pain-interview-ivan-lin/) - While most research addressing chronic pain is mostly based on Western, more educated, and more developed countries, a growing number of research is focusing on indigenous populations worldwide. Not only these research add more knowledge to our understanding of pain, they can help formulate healthcare and government policies in serving these populations who had faced
- [Indigenous People Get Back Pain Too; They Just Don’t Talk About It Much](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/indigenous-people-back-pain/) - Recently, a reporter from NPR interviewed a health expert, Esther Gokhale, on why indigenous populations do not have much back pain compared to people in industrialized nations. Gokhale’s answer is that people in indigenous cultures have a J-shape spine. (1) “That S-shaped spine is actually not natural. It’s a J-shaped spine that you want,” she stated.
- [Relative Risk Vs. Odds Ratio on the Backpack and Back Pain Study](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/relative-risk-vs-odds-ratio/) - Some researchers report relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) when comparing two groups’ outcome after they were exposed to a risk factor. While these concepts can help us make better sense of risk assessment, some people can confuse both terms. First, risk is the probability of someone getting sick or hurt, while odds is
- [Why Reading Scientific Abstracts of Research Paper Can Mislead You](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/scientific-abstracts-mislead/) - Back in 2016 when I watched “Rogue One” in the theater with my girlfriend at the time, it was so good that we didn’t want to leave our seats yet when the credits rolled. The trailers and teasers that dotted Facebook for weeks before the premiere didn’t spoil anything for me. However, some movie trailers
- [Does Low Back Stiffness Reflect Actual Muscle and Spine Stiffness?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-back-stiffness-reflect-actual-muscle-and-spine-stiffness/) - If you have experienced back stiffness, chances are, the experience is more than just “stiff” muscles or joints. Pain researchers from The University of South Australia recently published their study that suggests low back stiffness does not necessarily reflect actual stiffness of the low back muscles or spine. Rather, the stiffness that you feel is
- [Five Myths About Pain That Manual Therapists Are Sick of Hearing](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/five-myths-about-pain-that-manual-therapists-are-sick-of-hearing/) - Despite the advances in our understanding of pain in the last sixty years in research, many manual therapists and fitness professionals are still being taught and adopting outdated ideas about pain. However, there is a small and emerging population of therapists and trainers who are gradually learning (and unlearning) about pain science and how to
- [Foot Massage Increases Oxytocin, But There Is a Catch](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/foot-massage-may-increase-oxytocin-and-affect-brains-reward-regions-but-there-is-a-catch/) - Could a simple foot massage make your brain produce its own supply of oxytocin to help reduce the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Some researchers think so. A recent study from The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute in Chengu, China, explored non-invasive and non-pharmacological ways to increase a person’s endogenous production of
- [Why Massage Make Some People Feel Better Despite Few Physiological Benefits?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/why-massage-make-some-people-feel-better-even-if-there-are-little-physiological-benefits/) - A while back, Massage & Fitness Magazine analyzed some of the claims made in a recent article from Velo Magazine about massage and muscle recovery on cyclists. While digging through various studies, I found this one small study with half-marathon runners by Dr. Peter Tiidus et al. (1) where some runners who received a massage on one of their legs
- [Foam Rolling May Increase Leg Flexibility for a Very Short Time](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/foam-rolling-may-increase-range-of-motion-in-legs-but-for-a-very-short-time/) - Foam rolling may increase range of motion in some joints, even for a short time, but little is known exactly how long does this short-term change lasts. Researchers from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina recruited 29 young subjects (21 women, 8 men) with various experiences with exercise and foam rolling, from recreational athletes to
- [Does Stretching Help Increase Muscle Size?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/does-stretching-help-increase-muscle-size/) - Maybe bodybuilders and those who just want to get buff should include stretching as part of their workout routine. Who knew that stretching at a certain intensity could help elicit muscle hypertrophy? A team of researchers from UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, British Columbia found that six weeks of stretch training creates a “strong enough stimuli to increase
- [Does Watching Yourself Getting a Massage Have Greater Pain Relief?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/does-watching-yourself-getting-massage-have-greater-pain-relief-than-looking-at-something-else/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.0.11" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" hover_enabled="0"]If you could watch yourself getting a massage and you have back pain, would that be more effective in reducing pain than watching something else or simply close your eyes like most people? Four researchers from four different universities
- [Twerking May ‘Twerk’ Your Back](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/twerking-may-twerk-your-back/) - Satire: Apparently, twerking is to Millennials as the Macarena is to Generation X'ers. Thanks to pop singer Miley Cyrus in 2013 and various hip-hop artists in the 2000s, twerking has become more popular and mainstream among Millennials — at parties, clubs, and even the prom. The dance, which involves quick, thrusting and gyrating movements of the
- [Could American Massage Therapy Be Part of Healthcare Like Canada?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/could-american-massage-therapy-be-part-of-healthcare-like-canada/) - Why is there such a difference in massage therapy culture between Canada and the U.S.? (Originally published in Fall 2016 issue of Massage & Fitness Magazine. Content is based on information up to November 1, 2016.) Before the 1990s, most of massage therapy education in Canada was similar to the U.S. There was a disparity
- [Planks Aren’t Better Than Other Exercises, But They Have Their Place](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/planks-arent-much-better-than-other-exercises-for-performance-but-they-have-their-place/) - Are planks overrated with their how-long-can-you-hold challenges? Let’s take a closer look at what the current evidence says about planks and core strength. “These are all great exercises to use in the initial training stages for beginners. But I move past them as quickly as possible into using more challenging/interesting variations because these basic versions
- [Evidence for Spinal Manipulation Is ‘Moderate’ in Study, But Is It Worth the Risk?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/evidence-for-spinal-manipulation-treatment-moderate-in-recent-review-but-is-it-worth-the-risk/) - Meta-analysis in JAMA “favors” spinal manipulation, but the data itself indicates “not really.” A recent NPR article touted that spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) “can alleviate back pain” in its title based on a recent systematic review and meta-analysis that was published in JAMA recently. (1,2) The story stated that “patients reported greater ease and comfort engaging in two day-to-day activities —
- [Three Reliable Predictors of Running Injuries and Biomechanics Is Not One of Them](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/gender-emotions-and-knee-stiffness-have-higher-predictors-of-getting-running-injury-than-biomechanics-2-year-study-reveals/) - A ​recent study of 300 recreational runners, who were injury-free in the last six months, found several factors that are reliable factors in predicting who would be more likely to get injured. Researchers kept track of these runners for two years and found that that being female, having knee stiffness with excess weight of more
- [Depression and Pain: What Role Does Massage Therapy Have?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/massage/depression-and-pain-what-role-does-massage-therapy-have/) - Examining the evidence behind treatments for depression and pain and massage therapists’ scope of practice when working with patients with such symptoms. During the Christmas season of 2014, Andrew Jones, who is a registered massage therapist (RMT) working at Massage Now in London, Ontario, Canada, was waiting for his mother to pick him up from
- [Do Post-natal Women Need Core Exercises for Pelvic Pain?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/is-core-exercise-training-necessary-for-post-pregnant-women-with-pelvic-pain/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]A recent Dutch study challenges this idea about strengthening or activating core muscles to reduce pelvic pain. Using ultrasound to measure the thickness of the TVA among a sample of post-pregnant women with and without pelvic pain, Dr. Jan M.A.
- [Which Has Less Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis: Recreational or Competitive Running?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/recreational-running-has-less-risk-of-hip-and-knee-osteoarthritis-than-no-or-competitive-running/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]Like eating pizza and drinking wine, running should also be done in moderation if we want to reduce your risk in developing hip and knee osteoarthritis. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found
- [Is Sitting on a Stability Ball Better Than on a Chair?](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/is-sitting-on-a-stability-ball-better-than-on-a-chair/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]Back in my early personal training years (early to mid-2000s), I have heard that sitting on a stability ball is better than sitting on a typical office chair because it “improves posture” and keeps the core muscles “strong,” which leads
- [Cross Education: Foam Rolling Increases Flexibility in the Opposite Limb](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/cross-education-foam-rolling-increases-flexibility-in-the-opposite-limb/) - Can training your uninjured limb maintain flexibility in the injured limb? A recent study published in The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy found that foam rolling improves ankle dorsiflexion for at least 20 minutes on the limb that is rolled on and up to 10 minutes on the opposite limb that has not been foam rolled.
- [Weak Hips Is Not Necessarily a Cause of Hip, Knee, or Back Pain](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/weak-hips-is-not-necessarily-a-cause-of-hip-knee-or-back-pain/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font="Libre Baskerville||||||||" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]A recent press release from Ohio State University states that “dormant butt syndrome” may be the cause for hip, knee, and back pain. This condition, coined by a physical therapist who works at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, is characterized by
- [Balance Exercises May Not Affect Ankle Proprioception Much](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/balance-exercises-may-not-affect-ankle-proprioception-much/) - [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.29.3" text_font="Libre Baskerville||||||||" text_font_size="14px" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]Spraining your ankle may bring frustration and anxiety since it limits your ability to move and participate and perform daily activities and sports. Pain and stiffness often accompany the sprain like an itch on a scab. Balance training
- [Cross Education: Eccentric Training Benefits More Than Concentric for Injured Limb](https://massagefitnessmag.com/fitness/cross-education-eccentric-training-may-be-better-than-concentric-training-for-patients-with-injured-limb/) - Strength training on the uninjured limb can minimize strength loss in the injured limb. Getting a broken leg or arm can impede your workout since the injured limb is likely to be immobilized. While you can still do arm curls or leg extensions on the healthy limb, your injured one does not get the same

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