What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is a type of complementary therapy that can help treat a range of problems including pain from injuries, sports and some chronic diseases.

Complementary therapies are used in addition to other conventional treatments and should not replace care from your doctor.

Massage therapy involves applying pressure to your soft tissues, including your:

• muscles
• tendons
• skin
• ligaments

How does massage therapy work to relieve symptoms?

It’s not entirely clear how massage therapy helps relieve symptoms. Research shows that massage therapy affects many systems in the body, including nerves near the skin, the spinal cord, and the brain. These effects can be measured, but it's still not clear how they lead to the relief people feel. Massage therapy can help with problems like pain, but doctors don’t yet fully understand how it works. More research is needed to find out which body responses cause the benefits.

Research shows that massage therapy can affect a range of body functions, including:

• levels of inflammation
• heart rate and blood pressure
• how your brain feels pain

Massage can help relax your muscles and loosen your joints. This can increase the flexibility and mobility of your joints.

Some research shows that massage can help to lower your levels of cortisol — one of the body’s stress hormones. Massage can also increase the levels of hormones that have a positive effect on your wellbeing, including dopamine and serotonin.

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What is massage therapy used for?

Massage therapy is widely used as a complementary therapy to:

• reduce stress
• provide pain relief
• rehabilitate injuries

Massage can be used to treat problems such as:

• neck, shoulder or back pain
• sports injuries
• arthritis or osteoarthritis

Massage therapy can help people cope with:

• cancer
• pain following surgery
• insomnia — sleep problems
• depression and anxiety

For many people, massage is simply enjoyable.

What are the different types of massage therapy?

Different types of massage therapy use different techniques.

Relaxation massage

Relaxation massage is intended to help relax your muscles and provide stress relief.

Remedial massage

Remedial massage uses kneading motions and other techniques to help treat injured or painful:

• muscles
• tendons
• ligaments
• connective tissues

Remedial massage may focus on a particular area of your body affected by symptoms.

It may also involve deep tissue techniques, which use strong pressure to reach deeper muscles or tendons.

Learn more about remedial massage.

Swedish massage

Swedish massage helps relax your muscles and increase blood circulation. Swedish massage usually involves soft, long strokes on soft tissues.

Learn more about Swedish massage.

Pregnancy massage

Massage during pregnancy can reduce common symptoms such as:

• stress
• swelling
• muscle pain
• joint pain

It can also help with pain during labour.

Learn more about pregnancy massage.

Sports massage

Sports massages are designed to help athletes:

• increase flexibility
• improve performance
• prevent injuries

It may also be used to help athletes recover from an injury or strain.

Learn more about sports massage.

Shiatsu massage, Tui Na and acupressure

In shiatsu massage, pressure is applied with the fingers to specific parts of the body called ‘acupressure points’. These points are massaged lightly to help improve circulation and cause changes in other parts of the body.

In tui na massage, a massage therapist may use body parts other than the fingers (such as the elbows) to apply pressure to your body’s tissues.

Reflexology

Reflexology massage involves applying pressure to specific areas of your hands or feet with the intention of promoting changes in other parts of the body.

Other complementary therapies

Alongside massage therapy, there are other complementary therapies that can help reduce pain. These include:

• dry needling
• cupping
• acupuncture

Learn more about complementary therapies.

What are the risks of massage therapy?

Massage is usually very safe but can cause side effects including minor pain or soreness during and after the treatment. Very rarely, massage can damage your muscles, joints, blood vessels or nerves. The risk is higher if you are treated by an unqualified massage therapist.

Massage might not be right for you if you have:

• heart failure or kidney failure
• blood clots
• burns
• bruises
• an infectious skin condition, such as warts or cold sores
• osteoporosis
• nerve damage

You should also avoid massage if you:

• bleed or bruise easily
• have a bleeding disorder
• are having cancer treatment
• are recovering from surgery

If you want to try massage to ease symptoms of a health issue, speak to your doctor first.

Massage therapy can help relieve aches and pains when you are pregnant, but remember that not all types of massage are suitable or safe during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor or midwife to check if massage is safe for you.

Some massage therapists are trained to work with people receiving medical care. Your doctor may be able to help you choose which type of massage may be right for you and may recommend a qualified massage therapist.

What does a massage treatment involve?

Before your massage, your massage therapist should first discuss:

• your health history, such as any medical condition and medicines you’re taking
• any problems you are experiencing
• informed consent and what to expect during treatment

Your massage treatment will take place in a quiet, private room and will usually last for 30 to 60 minutes. Your massage therapist may play music or use aromatherapy to help you relax.

You may keep your clothes on during your massage or undress the part of your body that needs to be worked on. Any areas of your body you don’t want exposed can be covered with a drape or towel.

You should feel safe and comfortable while having a massage. If you feel uncomfortable at any point during your massage, let your therapist know.

Massage therapy can cause some soreness. However, any pain should only last about 2 days. If your pain doesn’t go away quickly, speak to your doctor.

What is the cost of massage therapy?

Medicare does not cover the cost of massage therapy. Some people with private health insurance may get a rebate. Ask your health fund what is included in your ‘extras’ cover.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs may offer support for massage therapy as part of a treatment plan provided by an approved:

• physiotherapist
• osteopath
• chiropractor

How do I choose a massage therapist?

Massage therapists in Australia are not legally required to have any formal qualifications to practise. This means that anyone can offer massage services, even if they are untrained.

Always look for a therapist who is registered so that you know they are properly trained and insured. You can find a therapist in your area through:

• Massage & Myotherapy Australia (MMA)
• Association of Massage Therapists (AMT)
• Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
• Massage Association of Australia (MAA)
• Myotherapy Association Australia (MAA)

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Resources and support

healthdirect's service finder is a free service that helps you locate the nearest health services in any part of Australia. You can search for health services such as physiotherapy, massage and natural medicine practitioners.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia has videos demonstrating different massage techniques so that you can know what to expect.