Back to Recovery
Recovery

Massage TherapyEvidence & Dosage

Sports massage, lactate clearance, and recovery outcomes.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
973
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
155
Highly cited
46
Publication years
1990–2026

Massage Therapy in the context of Recovery

This topic is part of our "Recovery" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

Go to Recovery

Top studies on Massage Therapy

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Therapeutic exercises for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2024n=583Systematic Review149 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a pathology that changes the three-dimensional shape of the spine and trunk. While AIS can progress during growth and cause cosmetic issues, it is usually asymptomatic. However, a…

  2. A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Therapies Used by Nurses in Children Undergoing Surgery.

    Pain Manag Nurs2024n=11Systematic Review92 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>The aim of this study was to identify non-pharmacological pain relief therapies in children undergoing surgery.<h4>Design and data sources</h4>Using keywords extracted from Medical Subject Headings and "Descriptores en…

  3. Non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane reviews.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2025n=97,183Meta-Analysis77 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Low back pain (LBP) is a significant public health issue due to its high prevalence and associated disability burden. Clinical practice guidelines recommend non-pharmacological/non-surgical interventions for managing…

  4. Effects of perineal massage at different stages on perineal and postpartum pelvic floor function in primiparous women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    BMC Pregnancy Childbirth2024n=105Meta-Analysis65 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Perineal massage, as a preventive intervention, has been shown to reduce the risk of perineal injuries and may have a positive impact on pelvic floor function in the early postpartum period. However, there is still…

  5. The Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulative Therapy in Treating Spinal Pain Does Not Depend on the Application Procedures: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

    J Orthop Sports Phys Ther2025n=11,849Meta-Analysis61 influential citations

    <b>OBJECTIVE:</b> To assess whether spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) application procedures (ie, target, thrust, and region) impacted changes in pain and disability for adults with spine pain. <b>DESIGN:</b> Systematic review with network…

  6. Efficacy of manual therapy for sacroiliac joint pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    J Man Manip Ther2024n=421Meta-Analysis54 influential citations

    <h4>Introduction</h4>This study examined the efficacy of manual therapy for pain and disability measures in adults with sacroiliac joint pain syndrome (SIJPS).<h4>Methods</h4>We searched six databases, including gray literature, on 24…

    Finding: In adults with sacroiliac joint pain syndrome, manual therapy did not significantly reduce pain compared with non-manual physiotherapy or sham interventions.

  7. The effects of manual therapy in pain and safety of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Syst Rev2024n=237Meta-Analysis53 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Manual therapy (MT) is frequently used in combination with management of osteoarthritis of the knee, but there is no consensus on the exact efficacy of this treatment strategy. The purpose of this systematic review and…

  8. Treatment of Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea With Manual Therapy and Electrotherapy Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

    Phys Ther2024n=12Meta-Analysis48 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of electrotherapy and manual therapy for the treatment of women with primary dysmenorrhea.<h4>Methods</h4>Systematic searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of…

    Finding: In women with primary dysmenorrhea, manual therapy and electrotherapy were effective treatments.

  9. Manual therapy and exercise for lateral elbow pain.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2024n=161Meta-Analysis39 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Manual therapy and prescribed exercises are often provided together or separately in contemporary clinical practice to treat people with lateral elbow pain.<h4>Objectives</h4>To assess the benefits and harms of manual…

  10. The effectiveness of cervical rehabilitation interventions for pain in adults with myogenic temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    J Oral Rehabil2024n=223Meta-Analysis37 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>Little evidence exists for the most effective conservative treatment approach for adults with myogenic temporomandibular disorders (MTMD). We aim to assess the effectiveness of cervical rehabilitation interventions on…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Therapeutic exercises (generic therapeutic exercises and physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises) (Not reported) • Non-pharmacological interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, exercise, massage, acupressure, aromatherapy, music, eye mask, earplugs) (Varied by intervention; not reported uniformly) • Non-pharmacological therapies used by nurses, including music therapy, video therapy, therapeutic play, laughter therapy, deep breathing, massage, and storytelling (Not reported)
Are there safety considerations for Massage Therapy?
• No included study assessed adverse effects. • Not reported • Heated back wrap may cause skin pinkness. • Acupuncture had no clear safety difference vs sham acupuncture.

More topics in Recovery

Active Recovery

Low-intensity, lactate clearance, and training periodization.

Acute vs Chronic Inflammation

A healing process vs. a disease driver — when inflammation is good or bad.

Cold Plunge

3–15 min in <15°C — anti-inflammatory, but can blunt hypertrophy.

Compression Recovery

Compression garments, lymphatic drainage, and recovery studies.

Contrast Therapy

Alternating heat and cold — a vascular workout.

CRP

C-reactive protein, hs-CRP as an inflammation marker, training's effect.

Cryotherapy

Whole-body Cryo, pain reduction and inflammation modulation.

DOMS

Delayed-onset muscle soreness — the mechanism, what helps and what doesn't.

Fascia Work

Foam rolling, lacrosse ball — what's proven and what's myth.

Floating

Sensory deprivation in salt water — stress reduction, mental recovery.

Foam Rolling

Self-myofascial release, ROM, and recovery effects.

Ginger

6-gingerol, nausea, anti-inflammatory, relevance for sport.

Leucine

Anabolic amino acid, mTOR activator, the MPS threshold.

Ligaments & Joints

Stability, mobility, proprioceptive training.

Load Management

Sport-specific workload management — injury prevention.

Magnesium (Recovery)

Muscle contraction, sleep, cramp prevention.

NSDR

Structured deep relaxation — a term coined by Andrew Huberman.

Overtraining

Early warning signs, diagnosis, recovery strategies, hormone markers.

PMR

The Jacobson technique — sensing and releasing bodily tension.

Pneumatic Recovery (NormaTec)

Sequential compression and lymph flow promotion.

Related topics from other worlds

Cognition

Synapses

Excitatory vs. inhibitory synapses, LTP/LTD, learning at the cellular level.

Methods

Breakfast Yes/No

The state of research on breakfast's role — myths and individual variability.

Methods

Dietary Fats

Saturated vs. unsaturated, omega profiles, avoiding trans fats.

Methods

Habit Stacking

Coupling new habits to existing ones — the Atomic Habits principle.

Methods

Journaling

Reflection, gratitude, stress relief — various formats (bullet, 5-minute).

Methods

Meal Timing

Circadian eating, early vs. late meals, nutrient timing.