Through the eyes of clients: A qualitative examination of massage therapy outcomes and factors influencing change

Massage therapy has become a popular form of complementary alternative medicine. While massage therapy is frequently associated with the treatment of physical pain, research suggests that it also has positive mental health effects. To date, however, little is understood about the mechanisms by which massage encourages psychological well-being. The current study explored a yet untapped resource to understand these mechanisms---the perspective of massage clients. Employing a qualitative approach, the current study explored the experiences of seven massage clients to reveal what impact they felt massage had on their lives and what factors facilitated such positive outcomes. Study findings illuminate numerous effects of massage therapy including physical and emotional well-being as well as outcomes related to increased self-awareness. Yet, participants' experiences were not always positive. They overwhelmingly attributed positive mental health outcomes to the quality of touch (e.g., applying appropriate pressure), but also noted the importance of verbal communication and the quality of the physical setting. Finally, participants characterized the impact of massage on their broader lives in terms of fostering greater balance and perspective. The current study has important implications for future research on the mental health effects of massage therapy. Study findings reveal outcomes that have rarely been examined (e.g., increased self-awareness outcomes, reduction in worry, increased sense of connection, and increased ability to trust). Further, the current study emphasizes the centrality of the quality of touch as the preeminent factor in shaping outcomes for clients. This is critical because it suggests that physical and mental health outcomes may not result from a mechanistic application of massage technique but rather from a subjective attunement of the therapist with the client.