Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/97768
somatic research that have a cadre of current research supporting the use of these therapies. Summary statements were written to support each category's inclusion and 995 citations were referenced. Here are two summary statements from the document, which is available by request.11 Mental Health "Drawing from 21 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1,026 adult subjects, Moyer et al. (2004) found a 'small to medium' statistical effect on state anxiety from a single dose of massage therapy. The same single dose appears to have a stronger effect in children, as seen across four RCTs using 81 total pediatric subjects, showing a 'medium to large' statistical effect. In children, the single-dose effect also increased in strength with multiple doses, possibly due to increased comfort with the treatment environment and the practitioner administering treatment. The effect of multiple doses of massage therapy on Trait Anxiety also appears to be strong, yielding a 'medium to large' statistical effect across seven RCTs that studied 194 total participants." Rehabilitation "A review of CAM determined that massage therapy, among other CAM modalities was just as effective in treating neck pain as conventional (allopathic) medicine. An evidencebased clinical guideline that reviewed 10 studies concludes: 'Therapeutic massage can decrease pain, tenderness, and improve range of motion for sub-acute and chronic neck pain.' Research provides evidence for the short-term relief of neck and shoulder pain symptoms. Additionally, research suggests that massage therapy may interrupt inflammatory processes contributing to neck or shoulder pain, It becomes more evident that research plays a critical role in securing our future: jobs, health-care choices, etc. Alexander; Judith Aston; Debra Curties; George Kousaleos; Carole Osborne-Sheets; Lawrence E. Warnock, PhD; Organizational Representatives— Janet Kahn, PhD; E. Houston LeBrun; Martha Menard, PhD; Gini S. Ohlson; Deborah Worrad. 3. PubMed, "Search term: 'massage'," accessed December 2012, www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=massage. 4. J. Kahn, "Massage Therapy Research Agenda." 5. Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, "About," accessed December 2012, www. imconsortium.org/about/home.html. 6. Washington State Legislature, "Every Category of Health Care Providers," accessed December 2012, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/ wac/default.aspx?cite=284-43-205. 7. Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, "ABMP Files Comments on National and the reduction of anxiety from massage therapy treatment may help with underlying symptoms of muscle tension and pain. 'The best available evidence for treatment of neck pain includes … massage therapy.'" Summary Between these two landmark documents, we have begun to identify areas where evidence is available and uncover holes in the research that, if filled, could advance our position in health-care delivery, and provide us with employment opportunities and increased referrals from health-care providers. It becomes more evident that research plays a critical role in securing our future: jobs, health-care choices, etc. Together, these documents can be used to ensure our place in the new age of health care. Notes 1. J. Kahn, "Massage Therapy Research Agenda," AMTA Foundation, 2002. 2. Massage Therapy Research Agenda Workgroup committee members: Researchers—Alan Best, PhD; Leon Chaitow, DO; Dan Cherkin, PhD; Prevention Strategy," accessed December 2012, www.abmp.com/news/abmp-filescomments-on-national-prevention-strategy. 8. Ibid. 9. National Prevention Council, National Prevention Strategy (Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2011). 10. D. Thompson et al., "Summary of the Evidence: Massage Therapy is an Integral Component in the Affordable Care Act's Essential Health Benefits," AMTA-WA, 2012; this document is not yet published, but is available upon request. For more information, email editor@abmp.com. 11. Ibid. A licensed massage practitioner since 1984, Diana L. Thompson has created a varied and interesting career out of massage: from specializing in pre- and postsurgical lymph drainage to teaching, writing, consulting, and volunteering. Her consulting includes assisting insurance carriers on integrating massage into insurance plans and educating researchers on massage therapy theory and practice to ensure research projects and protocols are designed to match how we practice. Contact her at soapsage@comcast.net. David Eisenberg, MD; Robert L. Kahn, PhD; Brian Marcotte, PhD; James Oshman, PhD; Candace Pert, PhD; Massage Therapists—Doug www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 55