The effects of massage: an holistic approach to care

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Abstract
In this article the authors review the benefits of massage and its relationship and relevance to more orthodox therapies. Most studies of the effects of massage on patients’ wellbeing have been undertaken by non-nursing researchers and the authors suggest that more nurse-based research would make an important contribution to an holistic approach to care. Interest in, and the use of, complementary therapies has been growing over recent years. Massage seems to be of particular interest to nurses, involving as it does the close, intimate contact which nurses are often engaged in as part of their day-to-day work with patients. The benefits, and some of the problems, associated with massage are explored below Massage has been considered therapeutic for many thousands of years - indeed, there is evidence of the therapeutic use of massage in China more than 5,000 years ago. Initially it was seen as an adjunct to medical practices, but was later associated with less scientific activities. Since the end of the 17th century, it has regained its associations with medicine (while retaining its other associations) and in recent years has attained the status of a complementary therapy. McMahon and Pearson (1992) argued that if nurses are to be truly therapeutic they need to create beneficial outcomes for clients deliberately. Massage may be one way of achieving this aim.

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