Evidence-Based Massage Therapy
While Mango Massage is a wellness-focused practice — not a clinical setting — April's advanced clinical training means that the science of the body informs every session. Evidence-based awareness shapes how she listens, how she works, and how she recommends care — so that every visit is as purposeful as it is restorative.
What Evidence Based Practice Looks Like in a Non-Clinical Massage Setting
Intake conversations — asking about stress levels, areas of tension, health history, and preferences before choosing techniques
Technique selection — choosing Swedish for relaxation vs. deeper pressure for chronic tension based on what the research says works for each outcome
Pressure and duration decisions — informed by studies on how session length and frequency affect outcomes like muscle stiffness and cortisol reduction
Recommending session frequency — advising clients on how often to book based on research showing cumulative benefits of regular massage
Open Communication
Pressure Level Checks
Personalized Recommendations
Informed Practice
The Science of Touch
At Mango Massage, every session is informed by more than skilled hands — it is grounded in science. The therapeutic benefits of massage therapy are supported by a growing body of peer-reviewed research, and April’s clinical background as a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) ensures that this evidence informs the intention behind every technique she employs. Below you will find two recently published, peer-reviewed studies that reflect the science underpinning the work we do. We invite you to explore the research for yourself.
The Research
JAMA Network Open (2024)
Use of Massage Therapy for Pain, 2018–2023: A Systematic Review
Mak, S., Allen, J., Begashaw, M., Miake-Lye, I., Beroes-Severin, J., De Vries, G., Lawson, E., & Shekelle, P.G. (2024).
Published in: JAMA Network Open, 7(7). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22259
Open Access Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11250267/
License: Open Access — CC-BY License © 2024 Mak S et al., JAMA Network Open. Freely referenceable with attribution.
What the Study Found:
This landmark systematic review, conducted by researchers at the Veterans Health Administration and UCLA, analyzed 129 peer-reviewed systematic reviews of massage therapy for pain in adults published between 2018 and 2023 — making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of massage therapy evidence ever undertaken. The review affirmed massage therapy as a widely studied, clinically recognized intervention across a broad range of adult pain conditions, reinforcing its role as a meaningful, evidence-supported modality within modern integrative care.
How This Informs Your Session at Mango Massage:
Whether you are managing chronic tension, recovering from physical stress, or simply seeking relief, the research affirms what April’s clients experience firsthand: therapeutic massage is a clinically meaningful, evidence-supported investment in your well-being. Every session at Mango Massage is designed with this in mind.
The Effect of a 5-Week Therapeutic Massage on Muscle Stiffness: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Jelen, A., Javornik, E., Meh, S.G., & Kozinc, Z. (2024).
Published in: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1428301
Open Access Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11381258/
License: Open Access — Published on NIH PubMed Central (PMC). Freely referenceable with attribution.
What the Study Found:
This longitudinal randomized controlled trial, published in August 2024 by researchers at the University of Primorska in Slovenia, examined the measurable effects of a five-week series of therapeutic massage sessions on muscle stiffness in the upper trapezius and erector spinae muscles. Using shear-wave elastography — an objective, non-invasive imaging technology — the study found that five 30-minute whole-back massage sessions produced statistically significant reductions in upper trapezius muscle stiffness, with effects sustained at a three-week follow-up after the final session. This is one of the first studies to objectively measure the structural changes in muscle tissue resulting from consistent therapeutic massage, providing compelling evidence that the benefits of massage therapy extend well beyond how you feel in the moment.
How This Informs Your Session at Mango Massage:
The results of this study reinforce the value of consistent, regular massage therapy — not just as a feel-good experience, but as a practice with measurable, lasting effects on muscle tissue and mobility. This is why April emphasizes the importance of ongoing care at Mango Massage. A single session is a wonderful reset; a series of sessions is where the real transformation happens.
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