Spotlight on...How Massage (Soft Tissue) Therapy Can Support Mental Health — An Evidence‑Based Look

Hello there — I’m Hailey, an experienced Soft Tissue Therapist based in Petersfield. Over the years I’ve watched clients come in with aches, 'knots', and tension — and walk out feeling not only looser in body, but lighter in mind. It’s not “just in their heads.” There is growing and promising evidence that massage and hands‑on soft tissue work can really help with mental health. In this post I want to walk you through how, why, and what the science says so you can feel confident about choosing this kind of therapy, along with some links to the evidence if you wish to read in more depth.

The Mind–Body Connection: Why Hands-on Touch Matters

When we talk about mental health, many of us focus on brain chemistry, talk therapy, medications, lifestyle, sleep, etc. But our bodies are part of that picture — chronic muscle tension, poor posture, stress holding in the shoulders — these aren’t just symptoms, they also feed back into mental and emotional states.

The simple act of therapeutic touch (in a safe, controlled environment) can help interrupt the stress cycle. It tends to shift the autonomic nervous system away from the “fight/flight” (sympathetic) mode and toward “rest & digest” (parasympathetic) mode. This shift is associated with reduced heart rate, lowered blood pressure, calmer breathing, and a general sense of ease. (You can see this principle referenced in how massage is described in clinical overviews such as the Mayo Clinic’s write‑ups). Mayo Clinic MC Press

Also, massage can help by:

• Reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, which in chronic excess is linked with anxiety, depression and impaired healing

  
  

• Increasing “feel-good” neurochemicals like serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin

  
  

• Improving sleep quality (and better sleep supports emotional regulation)

  
  

• Releasing chronic muscular tension, trigger points, and “holding” that often accompany emotional stress

  
  

• Enhancing body awareness (i.e. interoception) which can help people feel more grounded and present in their bodies

So, essentially, massage can act as a bridge between body and mind in the healing process.

What the Research Says (Recent & Robust Findings)

It’s fair to say that the research is still growing — we’re not yet at the point where massage is a first-line treatment for a mental health disorder. But there is accumulating evidence, especially as a complementary/adjunct tool. Here are some of the more compelling results:

Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, and Depression

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials involving people with fibromyalgia (a condition often comorbid with mood symptoms) found that massage therapy over at least 5 weeks produced significant improvements in pain, anxiety (standardised mean difference, SMD ≈ 0.44), and depression (SMD ≈ 0.49). PubMed

Another clinical trial of massage + myofascial release in fibromyalgia patients showed that after a 20‑week program, improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and pain persisted even at one month follow-up (though after 6 months some effects waned). PubMed

These results suggest that in populations with chronic pain (where mental health symptoms are common), massage can provide dual benefits.

Pregnancy / Antenatal Anxiety & Depression

Pregnancy is a time when emotional fluctuations are common. A systematic review and meta-analysis covering eight RCTs reported that massage interventions had moderate effects on reducing depressive symptoms (mean difference ≈ –5.95 on the CES‑D scale) and also reduced anxiety (SMD ≈ –0.59), compared to usual care. PubMed

This is relevant because it shows that in a somewhat “vulnerable” population, massage can be safe and beneficial for mood.

Cancer, Anxiety and Quality of Life

A more recent systematic review and meta-analysis looked at massage in people undergoing cancer treatment. The authors found that massage yielded a pooled effect on reducing anxiety (SMD = –0.38, 95% CI –0.57 to –0.18), improving quality of life, and reducing pain. However, they caution that the certainty of evidence was low, and many studies had bias or methodological limitations. PubMed

Still, it’s promising that even in medically complex contexts, massage is showing measurable mental health benefits.

Conceptual Advances: The Somato‑Relational Framework or SRF

Beyond just “does it help?”, more recent thinking is exploring how massage helps, especially in psychological domains. A 2023 paper proposed the somato-relational framework (SRF), which conceptualises massage not just as mechanical work, but as a therapeutic relationship grounded in:

Embodiment — helping clients reconnect with their bodies (in presence)

Relational dynamics — the therapeutic “holding,” trust, attunement between practitioner and client

Integration — helping clients integrate bodily experience into psychological insight

This framework argues that massage can be part of a biopsychosocial approach, not just a “physical fix.” PubMed

Also, in 2025 a “Special Issue” of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork focused entirely on massage + mental health, showing the growing interest in this intersection. PubMed

What This Means for You (as a Client or Potential Client at Flex Remedial)

So, how can this evidence translate into your experience if you come in for soft tissue therapy with me (or another skilled therapist)?

It’s not a “magic cure,” but a support tool. Massage isn’t a replacement for psychotherapy or medication, but it can enhance them by reducing physical stress load and improving your resilience.

Consistency matters. Many of the stronger studies show benefits when massage is delivered over multiple weeks. A single session can give temporary relief, but the cumulative effect is more powerful.

Tailoring to needs. Not all massage styles are equally studied in mental health. Gentle, relaxing techniques (Swedish, myofascial release, trigger point work) or mixed soft tissue approaches generally have safer reputations in sensitive clients.

Therapeutic relationship is a factor. Feeling safe, cared for, and understood by your therapist contributes to positive outcomes (as suggested in the SRF model).

Communication is key. Let your therapist know your mental health state (if you’re comfortable) and any relevant history. That helps in adapting pressure, pacing, sensitivity.

Integration into a wider plan. Sleep hygiene, movement, nutrition, counselling, and social support remain core. Massage is one of the “tools in the toolbox.”

If any of the content within this article has left you wanting to know more, please feel free to email the clinic at info@flexremedial.com, or alternatively book an appointment here.

References

1. Moyer, C. A., Rounds, J., & Hannum, J. W. (2004). A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 3–18.➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14717648/

2. Li, Y. H., Wang, F. Y., Feng, Y. N., & Wang, X. Q. (2014). Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One, 9(2): e89304.➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24586677/

3. Castro-Sánchez, A. M., et al. (2011). A randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of myofascial release therapy on fibromyalgia symptoms. Clinical Rehabilitation, 25(9), 800–813.➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21234327/

4. Field, T., Diego, M., & Hernandez-Reif, M. (2006). Prenatal depression effects and interventions: A review. Infant Behaviour and Development, 29(3), 445–455.➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17138307/

5. Gao, L. L., et al. (2020). Massage therapy for prenatal depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20: 343.➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32827841/

6. Hodgson, N. A., & Lafferty, D. (2023). Massage therapy for patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(3), 1485–1495.➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39558520/

7. Long, C. R., Laubach, W. J., & Edwards, W. L. (2024). The Somato-Relational Framework: A model for the therapeutic effects of massage on mental health. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB), 17(1), 22–30.➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40881725/

8. IJTMB (2025 Special Issue) Massage Therapy & Mental Health — Special Edition. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB).➤ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40881727/

9. Mayo Clinic (2024). Exploring the role of massage therapy for mental health.➤ https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/mayo-clinic-explores-the-role-of-massage-therapy-for-mental-health

10. Massage Today (2022). How massage therapists can support mental health (safely).➤ https://www.massagetoday.com/articles/1635446461611/how-massage-therapists-can-support-mental-health