Why massage alone isn’t (always) the answer
Massage is often the first thing that comes to mind when we experience muscle aches or pain. And why not? It feels good, helps us relax and provides temporary relief from tension. But here’s the truth: while massage has its place, it’s not the cure-all solution for muscle pain. Modern evidence tells us that more effective, longer-lasting results come from using massage with other targeted, specific, evidence-based techniques.
The problem with ‘Just a Massage’
When you say; “I just want a massage”, you may unintentionally be overlooking the value and effectiveness that the skills of qualified manual therapist can offer. There are range of techniques that health professionals (like Myotherapists, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Chiropractors) have in their tool kit that goes far beyond remedial massage, that are designed to effectively address your pain. It can be easy to assume that because a massage feels good it is the best solution for your pain. Many people are not aware of the range of manual therapy techniques that can be used by practitioners to help improve pain. The saying ‘when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail’ can certainly ring true.
Massage alone, while helpful for relaxing and giving you some temporary relief, isn’t strongly supported by evidence as a standalone treatment for persistent pain or injury. It can be a bit like using over-the-counter moisturiser for dry skin, it can soothe the skin and provide some temporary reduction in symptoms - but it doesn’t resolve the underlying issue causing the dry skin.
An Evidence-Informed Approach to Pain
Modern healthcare is built on evidence-based practices and many health practitioners choose to take an evidence informed approach to treatment. If a treatment isn’t supported by research, we tend to be hesitant in using it, but we don’t need to discount it entirely. Imagine if doctors continued to recommend outdated or ineffective medications simply because patients found them comforting - this would seem irresponsible.
But in some instances there is a case for a practitioner to use their clinical knowledge and experience to combine evidence-based techniques with others that are less evidence-supported but they know patients find helpful or relaxing. This can mean that we choose to use some interventions (like massage) that are less evidence-supported, in conjunction with evidence-based techniques.
Many health professionals now take this approach and choose to integrate advanced techniques that are supported by evidence to reduce pain and improve function. When used in combination with massage these can provide better results than massage alone. These can include techniques such as:
Dry needling: This technique uses thin needles to create change is muscle tension and reduce pain. It is well supported by evidence to produce changes in pain in the short and longer term and will often provide faster results than traditional massage intervention alone.
Joint mobilisation: This includes gentle movements applied to stiff or painful joints to improve mobility, reduce discomfort and encourage better movement at the joint thus reducing pain.
Exercise therapy: Guided stretches and strengthening exercises play a crucial role in injury recover and pain reduction. Exercise therapy is one of the best evidence supported interventions, evidence is shown to be highly effective in reducing pain and improving function in the short, medium and long term. More effective than many other manual therapy interventions.
Not in isolation
These techniques and other manual therapy techniques are designed to work together with massage (not replace it). In order to create lasting change the interventions need to work on and create change in a number of system of the body - not just the muscles and bones. We also need to influence and change the nervous system, the endocrine system (hormones), and the immune system (just to name a few). The result of combining techniques that are strongly supported by rigorous scientific evidence, alongside techniques that experience tells are effective; is a comprehensive treatment plan that prioritises long-term pain relief and improved function.
Why Evidence Matters
Evidence in healthcare plays a key role in helping us select the most effective techniques for treatment. Across all areas of healthcare we use and rely on scientific evidence as a foundation for understanding what works best for different types of pain and injuries. Research to help us better understand the efficacy of our interventions, in what context they work best and how they should be applied, giving us as health professionals tools to make informed decisions.
However, healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and clinical experience is equally important, as well as understanding our patient’s unique presentation and circumstances.
While some techniques may not be supported by a large body of evidence, as practitioners we can often see their benefits in real-world settings. By blending evidence-based techniques with techniques informed by clinical experience, professionals can created a tailored approach that addresses the individual needs of each patient.
A Professional’s Perspective
When you book to see a Myotherapist you’re not just booking a massage - you’re accessing years of education, experience and expertise in managing pain and dysfunction. By seeking ‘just a massage’ you might limit your own recovery by not exploring the full range of treatments available.
Instead, consider asking; “What’s the best approach for my presentation?”
Lasting Relief from Pain
If muscular aches and pain a regular feature in your life, remember that effective care is about more than temporary relief of symptoms. Massage has it’s place - it feels good and helps you relax - but lasting change comes from a well-rounded, evidence-based approach to treatment.
Why not try Myotherapy? Let your Myotherapist create a treatment plan that combines the best modern techniques to effectively address your pain.