BACKGROUND Although there is evidence that client expectations influence client outcomes, a valid and reliable scale for measuring the range of client expectations for both massage therapy and the behaviors of their massage therapists does not exist. Understanding how client expectations influence client outcomes would provide insight into how massage achieves its reported effects. PURPOSE To...

BACKGROUND One of the challenges in conducting research in the field of massage and bodywork is the lack of consistent terminology for describing the treatments given by massage therapists. The objective of this study was to develop a taxonomy to describe what massage therapists actually do when giving a massage to patients with musculoskeletal pain. METHODS After conducting a review of the m...

BACKGROUND Belief in efficacy of CAM therapies has been sparsely reported and may be different than reported use of the therapy. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to identify efficacy beliefs of massage for muscle recovery following a 10-km running race. SETTING Finish zone of a 10-km race. RESEARCH DESIGN Participants completed a brief survey regarding running race characteristics, prior...

BACKGROUND Conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are merging into the broader field of "integrative medicine." Massage is no longer considered complementary or alternative in some conventional medical circles today. PURPOSE We aimed to determine the prevalence of massage use among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the Pacific Northwest in the United States,...

Abdominal massage is a prevalent non pharmacological intervention for reliving high gastric residual volume, abdominal distension and other some gastro intestinal functioning. It helps to boost the nutritional transition through tract, induces peristaltic movement, consequently lowers intra pressure. Moreover, it has been shown be safe, effective, no non-invasive methods with side effects.&#x0D...

OBJECTIVES To assess effects of a regular massage program on novice runners over a longer-term training period. PARTICIPANTS Twelve control and sixteen massage subjects took part in the study. SETTING Both groups participated in 10-week running preparation clinics. DESIGN An individualized massage treatment plan was developed for each massage group participant. Massage group subjects met ...

In this study, we aimed to determine gastrointestinal problems associated with neurogenic bowel dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients and to assess the efficacy of bowel program on gastrointestinal problems and the severity of neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Fifty-five spinal cord injury patients were included in this study. A bowel program according to the characteristics of neurogenic bowe...

BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of massage for chronic low back pain. OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of 2 types of massage and usual care for chronic back pain. DESIGN Parallel-group randomized, controlled trial. Randomization was computer-generated, with centralized allocation concealment. Participants were blinded to massage type but not to assignment to ma...

BACKGROUND Menopausal symptoms experienced by women vary widely, and while many women transition through menopause with manageable symptoms, others experience severe symptoms, which may impair their quality of life. OBJECTIVES A randomized clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect of aromatherapy massage on psychological symptoms during menopause. METHODS The study population com...