Touch is one of the first senses we develop and one of the most powerful forms of human communication. We feel it in our language—“my heart sank,” “she gave me the cold shoulder,” “butterflies in my stomach”—because touch and physical perception are intimately tied to our emotional world.
Despite massage therapy being one of the oldest healing arts, it has long been overlooked in the realm of Western healthcare. While it’s challenging to measure some of its benefits due to their subjective and somatic nature, the growing body of research is undeniable.
We believe that anecdotal evidence—the stories of people sleeping better, breathing deeper, finding relief from chronic pain, or simply feeling more like themselves—matters. But we also believe in backing up what we feel and observe with research.
At a glance…
Reduces Anxiety by 50% in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Patients
A randomized controlled trial found that Swedish massage therapy reduced anxiety scores by up to 50% over a 12-week period in individuals with GAD.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20186971/Decreases Pain Intensity in Chronic Pain Patients
A systematic review and meta-analysis showed that massage therapy significantly reduces pain intensity compared to no treatment, with a standardized mean difference of -1.14.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4925170/Improves Function and Reduces Pain in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Patients who received massage therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome experienced reduced pain and improved grip strength after two weeks of treatment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5564319/Alleviates Fatigue and Pain in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Massage therapy was found to reduce fatigue and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis, suggesting it as a valuable complementary therapy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8209836/Reduces Neck Pain with Consistent Sessions
Participants receiving massage twice monthly reported significantly less neck pain and improved mobility compared to those receiving less frequent sessions.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4321928/Improves Mood and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Populations
A comprehensive review found that massage therapy led to modest but meaningful improvements in mood and quality of life for individuals with chronic pain.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4925170/Supports Autonomic Nervous System Relaxation
Massage and heat therapy were shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote overall relaxation without adverse effects.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3220246/Reduces Cancer-Related Fatigue
Weekly Swedish massage therapy decreased persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors, improving energy levels and well-being.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5780237/Relieves Muscle Tension and Enhances Well-being
Massage therapy was associated with improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, and enhanced psychological well-being.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15730338/Lowers Cortisol and Improves Stress Response
Massage therapy reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol and improved heart rate variability, supporting its role in stress management.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892349/