Is Massage Therapy Effective for Asthma?

Is Massage Therapy Effective for Asthma? 

Asthma is one of the most common lung diseases in the United States and across the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CD), about 7.8 percent of the U.S. population suffers from asthma, which is equal to about 25 million people, including more than four million children.[1]

Asthma is characterized by narrowing and swelling of the airways and may be accompanied by the production of extra mucus. The condition can make it difficult to breathe, triggering coughing, wheezing when exhaling and shortness of breath. Certain situations may trigger asthma for some people, including exercise, workplace irritants (occupational asthma) and allergy-induced asthma, brought on by pollen, mold or pet dander.

The severity of asthma varies among individuals. For some people, asthma may be a minor nuisance. However, among others, asthma attacks can occur daily interfering with day-to-day activities. This condition also may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack, in which the muscles that wrap around the airways tighten, making it more difficult to breathe.

Asthma treatment involves two types of medications. Long-term asthma treatment control medications to control chronic symptoms and prevent attacks. They are taken regularly and include inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta agonists or combination inhalers.  Quick-relief medications taken as needed for short-term relief, e.g., to treat an attack, include short-acting agonists such as albuterol. [2]

Massage for asthma

An asthma flareup requires immediate attention. For that reason, massage for asthma would not be appropriate treatment at the time of an asthma attack. However, some consider that massage therapy may be a valuable complementary therapy for asthma sufferers. Among the potential benefits of massage therapy for asthma:[3]

·         Improve breathing: Massage therapy, which often integrates deep breathing techniques, may help to adjust breathing patterns during an asthma attack.

·         Foster relaxation: By reducing stress and anxiety, which can trigger an asthma attack, massage also can benefit asthma sufferers.

·         Improve circulation: Massage can improve blood circulation, which allows more oxygen to reach the body's tissues, potentially easing the sensation of breathlessness in asthma patients.

·         Reduce muscle tension: Asthma attacks can cause muscles around the airways to tighten, worsening symptoms. By alleviating muscle tension, massage can potentially make it easier for individuals to breathe.

Massage for asthma research

Most of the research on the value of massage for asthma treatment has focused on pediatric asthma, although there have been some small studies that included adult patients. Among the studies of massage for asthma treatment for children are:

2008 Effect of Massage Therapy on Children with Asthma: In this study, 44 asthmatic children aged 5 to 14 years were studied in the allergy and asthma clinic. The samples were chosen randomly and divided into two groups. One group received traditional pediatric medication along with a 20-minute massage from a parent every night before bed for one month. The second group received only traditional pharmaceutical treatment. The study found daily massage can improve airway tonicity, decrease airway sensitivity, and provide better control of asthma. Applying this method can reduce the use of non-reasonable drugs and can be considered as a complementary method to pharmaceutical methods.[4]

2011 Pulmonary functions of children with asthma improve following massage therapy: The research involved 60 children with asthma who were divided randomly into two equal groups: massage therapy group and control group. Subjects in the massage therapy group received a 20-minute massage therapy by their parents at home before bedtime every night for 5 weeks in addition to the standard asthma treatment. The control group received standard asthma treatment alone for 5 weeks. Children who received the massage showed notable improvement in the maximum amount of air they could forcefully exhale in one second (FEV1), which is a key measurement for those with asthma.[5]

2017 Massage therapy In Children with Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: The review included literature from 5 databases ranging from January 1, 1990, to December 13, 2016, which were all randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy on children with asthma and effect on lung function mainly by massage therapy. The meta-analysis included 14 research studies with 1299 patients. The meta-analysis concluded that conventional asthma treatment with massage therapy was more effective than conventional prescription asthma treatment alone.[6]

In a research study involving adults – one of the few known focused on adults –5 participants, ranging in age between 57 and 74, each had chronic obstructive lung disease, which includes asthma. Researchers examined neuromuscular massage therapy (NRMT) to augment medical intervention and improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and quality of life. At the study’s close, all participants reported less dyspnea (difficulty breathing), improvements in physiological measurements (peak flows, pulmonary function tests and thoracic gas volume) and self-reported enhanced quality of life. Four out of five study participants chose to continue massage therapy—at their own expense—after the trial ended.[7]

With few studies on massage for asthma, there is a need for more research, especially focused on adults. However, what has been done so far indicates massage therapy has benefits for those suffering from asthma.  Any client inquiring about massage treatment for massage should first consult with their healthcare provider to ensure a treatment does not cause further difficulties with breathing.