Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Incorporation of massage into psychotherapy: An integrative and conjoint approach

  • Review
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article presents the potential integration of psychotherapy and massage when considering the essence of their beneficial effects. The essence of this model of practice is multifaceted, combining principles from anatomy, physiology and neuroscience with psychotherapy to benefit patient care. It has been advocated that possessing multidisciplinary knowledge from these areas of science enhances psychotherapists’ holistic care of their depressive patients. A narrative review of the literatures and a qualitative, conceptual synthesis has been performed to create a new theoretical-pragmatic construct. This article introduces the concept of massage practice as a part of psychotherapy practice and presents the potential integration of psychotherapeutic knowledge with clinical decision-making and the management of depressive symptoms. The authors emphasize the usefulness of multi- and interdisciplinary knowledge in the psychotherapeutic process and explain how this knowledge might be extrapolated and incorporated into theoretical and practical settings to benefit depressive patients. The justification for this concept is also presented. The principles set out in this article may be a useful source of information for psychotherapists concerned about their patients’ holistic well-being in addition to the psychopathology for which they have sought treatment. Researchers and psychotherapists can obtain valuable and additional knowledge through cross-fertilization of ideas across the arguments presented here.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. World Health Organization. Mental health: new understanding, new hope. WHO, Geneva; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Edwards D, Burnard P. A systematic review of stress and stress management interventions for mental health nurses. J Adv Nurs 2003;42:169–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hayman-White K, Happell B. Psychiatric nursing and mental health funding: the double dilemma. Int J Psychiatr Nurs Res 2007;12:1488–1496.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Littlejohn C. Critical realism and psychiatric nursing: a philosophical inquiry. J Adv Nurs 2003;43:449–456

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Snow T. Too few to care. Nurs Stand 2004;18:12–13.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Soltis-Jarrett V. Interactionality: willfully extending the boundaries of participatory research in psychiatric-mental health nursing. ANS Adv Nurs Sci 2004;27:316–329.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Delaney KR. Inpatient psychiatric treatment: should we revive a shrinking system? Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2006;20: 242–244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Shanley E. Common experiences of mental health nurses and consumers: ingredients of a symbiotic relationship? Aust N Z J Ment Health Nurs 2001;10:243–251.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mackey BT. Massage therapy and reflexology awareness. Nurs Clin North Am 2001;36:159–170.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Callaghan MJ. The role of massage in the management of the athlete: a review. Br J Sports Med 1993;27:28–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Goldstone LA. Massage as an orthodox medical treatment past and future. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 2000;6:169–175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Russell NC, Sumler SS, Beinhorn CM, Frenkel MA. Role of massage therapy in cancer care. J Altern Complement Med 2008;14:209–214.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Oumeish OY. The cultural and philosophical aspects of pressure, massage, and touch healing as alternative therapies. Skinmed 2005;4:93–100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Myers CD, Walton T, Bratsman L, Wilson J, Small B. Massage modalities and symptoms reported by cancer patients: narrative review. J Soc Integr Oncol 2008;6:19–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Posadzki P, Smith T, Lizis P. Lomi-lomi: a massage with movements. Altern Ther Health Med 2009;15:44–49.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Weinrich SP, Haddock S, Robinson K. Therapeutic massage in older persons: research issues. Br J Nurs 1999;8:159–164.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Cherkin DC, Sherman KJ, Deyo RA, Shekelle PG. A review of the evidence for the effectiveness, safety, and cost of acupuncture, massage therapy, and spinal manipulation for back pain. Ann Intern Med 2003;138:898–906.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Furlan AD, Imamura M, Dryden T, Irvin E. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008;4:CD001929.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Perlman AI, Sabina A, Williams AL, Njike VY, Katz DL. Massage therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 2006;166:2533–2538.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Bastard J, Tiran D. Aromatherapy and massage for antenatal anxiety: its effect on the fetus. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2006;12:48–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bennell K, Coburn S, Wee E, Green S, Harris A, Forbes A, Buchbinder R. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a physiotherapy program for chronic rotator cuff pathology: a protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2007;31:86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Dryden T, Baskwill A, Preyde M. Massage therapy for the orthopaedic patient: a review. Orthop Nurs 2004;23:327–332.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Aourell M, Skoog M, Carleson J. Effects of Swedish massage on blood pressure. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2005;11:242–246.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Diego MA, Field T. Moderate pressure massage elicits a parasympathetic nervous system response. Int J Neurosci 2009;119:630–638.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Ouchi Y, Kanno T, Okada H, Yoshikawa E, Shinke T, Nagasawa S, et al. Changes in cerebral blood flow under the prone condition with and without massage. Neurosci Lett 2006;407:131–135.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Buckle J, Newberg A, Wintering N, Hutton E, Lido C, Farrar JT. Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow associated with the M technique-light massage therapy: a case series and longitudinal study using SPECT. J Altern Complement Med 2008;14:903–910.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Guzzetta A, Baldini S, Bancale A, Baroncelli L, Ciucci F, Ghirri P, et al. Massage accelerates brain development and the maturation of visual function. J Neurosci 2009;29:6042–6051.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Weerapong P, Hume PA, Kolt GS. The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention. Sports Med 2005;35:235–256.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Fogaça Mde C, Carvalho WB, Peres Cde A, Lora MI, Hayashi LF, Verreschi IT. Salivary cortisol as an indicator of adrenocortical function in healthy infants, using massage therapy. Sao Paulo Med J 2005;123:215–218.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Sagar SM, Dryden T, Myers C. Research on therapeutic massage for cancer patients: potential biologic mechanisms. J Soc Integr Oncol 2007;5:155–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Rolls ET. The affective and cognitive processing of touch, oral texture, and temperature in the brain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2008;34:237–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Brassen S, Kalisch R, Weber-Fahr W, Braus DF, Büchel C. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex processing during emotional evaluation in late-life depression: a longitudinal functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Biol Psychiatry 2008;64:349–355.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Koenigs M, Huey ED, Calamia M, Raymont V, Tranel D, Grafman J. Distinct regions of prefrontal cortex mediate resistance and vulnerability to depression. J Neurosci 2008;28:12341–12348.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Koenigs M, Grafman J. The functional neuroanatomy of depression: distinct roles for ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Behav Brain Res 2009;201:239–243.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Pascual-Leone A, Rubio B, Pallardó F, Catalá MD. Rapid-rate transcranial magnetic stimulation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in drug-resistant depression. Lancet 1996;348:233–237.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Hasler G, Neumeister A, van der Veen JW, Tumonis T, Bain EE, Shen J, et al. Normal prefrontal gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in remitted depressed subjects determined by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Biol Psychiatry 2005;58:969–973.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Barlow DH, Durand VM. Abnormal Psychology. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth; 2005:123–135.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Gross RD, McIlveen R, eds. Psychology: a new introduction. London: Hodder & Stoughton;1998:77.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Cumbie SA. The integration of mind-body-soul and the practice of humanistic nursing. Holist Nurs Pract 2001;15:56–62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Potter PJ, Frisch N. Holistic assessment and care: presence in the process. Nurs Clin North Am 2007;42:213–228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Shanahan M. Holistic nursing theory: connecting heart & mind in practice. Beginnings 2005;25:12–13.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Smith KL. Appreciation of holistic nursing. J Holist Nurs 2006;24:139.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Tucakovic M. Working with the notion of soul in nursing. Aust J Holist Nurs 1999;6:39–41.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Hersen M, Sledge W, eds. Encyclopaedia of psychotherapy. New York: Elsevier; 2002:22–34.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Cuijpers P, van Straten A, Bohlmeijer E, Hollon SD, Andersson G. The effects of psychotherapy for adult depression are overestimated: a meta-analysis of study quality and effect size. Psychol Med 2009;3:1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Cuijpers P, van Straten A, Smit F, Andersson G. Is psychotherapy for depression equally effective in younger and older adults? A meta-regression analysis. Int Psychogeriatr 2009;21:16–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Cuijpers P, van Straten A, Warmerdam L, Andersson G. Psychotherapy versus the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of depression: a meta-analysis. Depress Anxiety 2009;26:279–288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Beck AT, Alford BA, eds. Depression: causes and treatment. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press;2009:234–239.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Koch JM, Hinze-Selch D, Stingele K, Huchzermeier C, Goder R, Seeck-Hirschner M, et al. Changes in CREB phosphorylation and BDNF plasma levels during psychotherapy of depression. Psychother Psychosom 2009;78:187–192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Iselin MG, Hinrichsen GA. Interpersonal psychotherapy in the treatment of depression in older adults. Sante Ment Que 2008;33:67–85.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. de Maat SM, Dekker J, Schoevers RA, de Jonghe F. Relative efficacy of psychotherapy and combined therapy in the treatment of depression: a meta-analysis. Eur Psychiatry 2007;22:1–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Cuijpers P, van Straten A, Andersson G, van Oppen P. Psychotherapy for depression in adults: a meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies. J Consult Clin Psychol 2008;76:909–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Watanabe N, Hunot V, Omori IM, Churchill R, Furukawa TA. Psychotherapy for depression among children and adolescents: a systematic review. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2007;116:84–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Imel ZE, Malterer MB, McKay KM, Wampold BE. A meta-analysis of psychotherapy and medication in unipolar depression and dysthymia. J Affect Disord 2008;110:197–206.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Teasdale JD, Barnard PJ, eds. Affect, cognition and change. Hove, UK: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1993:37.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Dunn BD, Dalgleish T, Ogilvie AD, Lawrence AD. Heartbeat perception in depression. Behav Res Ther 2007;45:1921–1930.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Premkumar K. The massage connection: anatomy and physiology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2003:198.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Holey EA, Cook EM. Evidence-based therapeutic massage: a practical guide for therapists. London: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2003:72.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Azañón E, Haggard P. Somatosensory processing and body representation. Cortex 2009;45:1078–1084.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Serino A, Haggard P. Touch and the body. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2010;34:224–236.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. McCabe C, Rolls ET, Bilderbeck A, McGlone F. Cognitive influences on the affective representation of touch and the sight of touch in the human brain. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2008;3:97–108.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Ramachandran VS, Brang D. Tactile-emotion synesthesia. Neurocase 2008;14:390–399.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter, EX2 4NT, UK

    Paul Posadzki

  2. School of Allied Health Professions, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, UK

    Sheetal Parekh-Bhurke

Authors
  1. Paul Posadzki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sheetal Parekh-Bhurke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul Posadzki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Posadzki, P., Parekh-Bhurke, S. Incorporation of massage into psychotherapy: An integrative and conjoint approach. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 17, 154–158 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-011-0633-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-011-0633-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation