Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Hawkes RJ, Miglioretti DL, Deyo RA.

Massage has long been used in the treatment of chronic neck pain. This study has been undertaken in order to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic massage and wether it is more beneficial than a self-care book for patients.

64 patients with chronic neck pain were randomly placed in 2 groups to receive either up to 10 massages over 10 weeks or a self-care book. Follow-up telephone interviews after 4, 10, and 26 weeks assessed outcomes including dysfunction and symptoms.

After 10 weeks, more participants in the massage group experienced a significant improvement on the Neck Disability Index and on the symptom bothersomeness scale. After 26 weeks, those in the massage group reported improved function, but not symptom bothersomeness. The difference between the goups was significant at week 4 only.
This study suggests that massage is safe and may have clinical benefits for treating chronic neck pain at least in the short term. A larger trial is warranted to confirm these results.

Clin J Pain. 2009, 25(3), 233-8.