Massage Therapy: What It Is and What the Evidence Shows
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Massage Therapy?
A massage therapist, a trained practitioner who works on muscle and other soft tissue, provides massage therapy. Ask about a therapist's training, experience, and credentials. Your primary care doctor may also help you choose one. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Massage therapy is a practice that involves working on the soft tissues of the body. It has been used in most cultures, both Eastern and Western, throughout human history. The term massage therapy includes many techniques. Swedish, or classical, massage is the most common form in Western countries. Other styles include sports massage and clinical massage.
What people use it for
People use massage to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. In 2022, 10.9 percent of U.S. adults used massage, up from 4.8 percent in 2002. Massage has been studied for several types of pain. These include low-back pain, neck and shoulder pain, knee osteoarthritis pain, and headaches.
How to prepare
- Talk with your health care provider about any concerns if you are unsure whether massage is right for you.
- Ask how many treatments you might need, what they cost, and about insurance coverage.
- Tell all your health care providers about the complementary health approaches you use.
What happens during it
The type of massage given usually depends on your needs and physical condition. In general, massage therapists work on muscle and other soft tissue to help you feel better. With cancer patients, therapists may need to change their usual techniques. They may use less pressure than usual in areas that are sensitive because of cancer or cancer treatments.
Recovery
Some benefits of massage may last only a short time. For shoulder pain, massage had short-term benefits only. Massage may give short-term relief of neck pain if sessions are long enough and frequent enough.
What the research shows and safety concerns
A lot of the research on massage is preliminary or conflicting. Several evaluations of massage for low-back pain found only weak evidence that it may be helpful. Only a small number of studies of massage for headache have been completed. Their results are not consistent. For cancer patients, the evidence that massage relieves pain and anxiety is not strong. Massage may help some fibromyalgia symptoms.
The risk of harmful effects from massage appears to be low. However, there have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as a blood clot, nerve injury, or bone fracture. Some of the reported cases involved vigorous types of massage, such as deep tissue massage. Do not use massage to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem. Massage therapists should take some precautions with certain health conditions.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting for two minutes or more, trouble breathing, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop.
Who performs it
Massage therapy is regulated in 45 states and the District of Columbia. There, therapists must get a license or certification before they practice. State rules usually require finishing an approved program and passing a test.
Common questions
Can massage therapy help neck and shoulder pain?
Massage may help neck or shoulder pain, but the benefits may only last for a short time. Massage may give short-term relief of neck pain if sessions are long enough and frequent enough.
Can people with cancer have massage therapy?
With appropriate precautions, massage can be part of supportive care for people with cancer who would like to try it. However, the evidence that it can relieve pain and anxiety is not strong.
Does massage help babies?
Massage may help premature babies gain weight. No benefits of massage for healthy full-term babies have been clearly shown.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health - Massage Therapy: What You Need To Know
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health - 6 Things To Know About Massage Therapy for Health Purposes
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health - How To Find a Complementary Health Practitioner
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
