Neck, Shoulder, and Back Pain

Neck, Shoulder, and Back Pain
Clinical Study: Effects of Massage Therapy and Relaxation on Dance Students at the University.

Research:
In this study, 30 female dance studies students were randomly assigned to either a massage therapy group or a relaxation therapy group. Both groups received 30-minute sessions twice a week over a period of five weeks.

Results:
Both groups reported improved mood and lower anxiety levels.

However, a decrease in cortisol levels was observed only in the massage therapy group.

After the sessions, both groups reported less neck, shoulder, and back pain, and the severity of back pain in particular decreased over the entire study period.

Read the full study
Leivadi, S., Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Rourke, M., D'Arienzo, S., Lewis, D., del Pino, N., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (1999). Massage therapy and relaxation effects on university dance students. Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 3, 108–112.