The effectiveness of remedial massage therapy in dealing with muscular issues in active adults.

1. The effectiveness of remedial
massage therapy in dealing with
muscular issues in active adults.
James Nicholas Laverty
National Institute of Sport Studies, Faculty of
Health, University of Canberra and Pivotal
Massage.
jlaverty@live.com.au

2. Background
• Massage therapy has been used as an aid to athletes for
many years in a variety of facets
• Massage therapy has been associated with:
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–
–
–
–
–
–
Decreased blood pressure and heart rate
Improved stretching of tendons and connective tissue(1)
Decreasing muscle tension and spasming(1)
Increased lactate removal
Increased parasympathetic activity (2)
Decrease in pain (2)
Decrease in anxiety (2)
• Scientifically some of the benefits are not proven
• However, it is still strongly held belief that massage has a
significant therapeutic benefit(3)

3. • Anecdotal evidence supports the purported benefits of
massage therapy
• Previous research has investigated the effect of massage
on:
– Recovery
– Performance improvement
• pre- and post-event
• specific sport applications
– Rehabilitation
– Reduction in injury risk
• Evidence to support or refute the effects of massage on
sports performance is insufficient to make definitive
statements until further research has been conducted(4)

4. Research question
How effective is the use of remedial
massage in dealing with muscular
complaints in active individuals, and
what other health professionals and aids
are used?

5. Methods
• The survey was distributed to 85 people online via Survey
monkey and promoted through my personal and work Facebook
pages.
• 47 anonymous responses were recorded.
• All respondents were all involved in regular exercise and had
remedial massage at least twice before
• Participants were asked a series of questions relating to:
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–
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use of massage therapy
other health professionals consulted
other aids to deal with muscular issues
number and frequency of sports played
occupation
time spent working/studying

6. Results
•
•
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Participants were aged from 18 to 66
51% were aged between 25 to 34
22 were men, and 25 were female
Data was analysed using Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS, standard version 21).

7. • There was a significant negative correlation
between the frequency of massage therapy and
age (r(47)=-.463, p<0.01).
• There were no significant correlations (p> 0.05)
between the frequency of massage therapy and:
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–
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Hours of work/study per week
Days per week exercised
Length of each exercise session
Level of participation in sport
Number of sports played per week

8. Effectiveness of massage therapy
4
3
16
18
8
13
16
22
22
22
21
22
22
19
2
3
1
15
10
0
Recovery
8
0
Prevention of injury
3
0
Maintenance
Disagree
Neither
Preparation
Agree
Improving
performace
Strongly agree
Increasing ROM

9. Complimentary aids
% of respondents
Anti inflammatory medication
Anti inflammatory gel
Heat pack
Stretching
Self massage
Joint brace
Rigid taping
Kinesio tape
Foam roller
Compressive garments
None
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90

10. Other health professionals consulted
% of participants
None
Bowen therapist
Naturopath
Chinese medicine
Acupuncturist
Osteopath
Doctor
Chiropractor
Physiotherapist
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80

11. • 60% used massage therapy only when needed
• 44% exercise at least 6 days a week
• 75% exercise for 60 or more minutes per
session
• Participants level of sport were 29% social,
45% amateur and 25% semi professional

12. Discussion
• Remedial massage could be:
– Predominately used when needed
– Used more frequently in those aged 25-34
– Often used in combination with physiotherapy and
complimentary aids
– Rated to be most effective at increasing ROM
• There is much discussion to the efficacy of the current
literature on the benefits of massage therapy
• In previous studies there was a lack of consistency in:
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–
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Massage therapy techniques used
Time periods in which massage was utilised
Soft tissue therapists used
Understanding of the mechanics of massage therapy

13. • Limited specific research has been conducted
at this point in time
• Further research into:
– Different massage techniques and their use
– More applicable outcome measures
– In depth studies

14. Conclusion
• From these results it could be concluded that remedial
massage is:
– Predominately used when needed, rather than part of a
regular training regime
– Used less in the ageing population
– Most common in active people between 25-34
– Often used in combination with physiotherapy and
complimentary aids
• Has no significant correlation with any other measured
criteria (eg. Hours of work/study, training frequency etc.)
• Further research is needed to verify the benefits and
practical applications

15. Acknowledgements
Thank you to Nick Ball, University
of Canberra, the staff at Pivotal
massage and the survey
participants.

16. References
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hemmings B, Smith M, Graydon J et al. Effects of
massage on physiological restoration, perceived
recovery, and repeated sports performance. British
Journal of Sports Medicine 2000; 34:109-115.
Weerapong P, Hume PA and Kolt GS. The mechanisms of
massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery
and injury prevention. Sports Medicine 2005; 35(3):235356.
Dinsdale N. Evidence-based massage: Part 1. SportEX
Dynamics 2009; 22:12-17.
Moraska A. Sports massage: A comprehensive review.
Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2005;
45:370-380.