Can Massage Therapy Replace Pain Medication? A Holistic Approach to Pain Management
In this day and age, many of us are looking for more natural alternatives when it comes to pain management. As knowledge grows regarding the risk of addiction and potential long term side effects, the search for relief without the use of drugs is understandable.
Therapeutic massage is becoming a popular channel for managing pain naturally. With that said, is it possible for massage therapy to replace pain medicine?
We’ll say that in many cases, the answer to that question is yes. However, there are some things to take into consideration, and we’ll touch base on those later in this article.
So let’s talk about how a medical massage can be an efficient mechanism for pain relief and how it will fit into your healthcare plan.
How Massage Offers Natural Pain Relief
Massage therapy works on a somatic level to soothe general discomfort, ease inflamed tissues, and speed up the healing process.
Relieves Muscle Tension and Spasms
Many types of acute and chronic pain stem from muscular knots and/or spasms. A therapeutic massage aids in the loosening of tension by breaking up the knots and lengthening hyper-contracted tissues. These mechanisms not only contribute to pain relief – which can in some cases take place almost immediately after a session – but can also make the use of pain pills unnecessary, or at least lessen the frequency of consumption.
Improves Circulation
Anti-inflammatory medications can come with side effects. Healthy blood flow, which also functions as an anti-inflammatory, doesn’t.
When manual pressure is applied to the body, circulation is stimulated. Blood feeds oxygen and nutrients to areas that have become inflamed as a result of lactic acid build up – an accumulation of waste that results from muscular overuse.
Releases “Feel Good” Hormones
Endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine are the body’s natural pain killers. Mindful touch triggers a surge of these happy chemicals, and their release combats the discomfort caused by knots and poor circulation. “Feel good” hormones mimic the relief that many pain medications provide.
Suppresses Stress Hormones
Stress relief is a common reason why people seek out massage therapy. This goal is achieved when levels of the body’s main stress hormone, cortisol, are significantly reduced. Cortisol does more damage than just ruining your mood. It also increases the perception of pain.
While pain medications can initially calm the nervous system as well, long term use can change how the brain functions. This can be particularly detrimental to one’s ability to think clearly, which contributes to difficulty discontinuing the use of the drug.
Promotes Restful Sleep
Pain doesn’t have to be severe to interfere with sleep. Any level can contribute to poor rest, and a lack of sleep by itself can actually worsen pain.
Massage improves sleep quality by encouraging the release of the sleep hormone melatonin. Functioning as an anti-inflammatory in much the same way as medications, melatonin plays a crucial role in pain management.
Sleep, through the promotion of tissue repair and regeneration, also works to naturally speed up the healing process.
When Should Massage Not Replace Medication?
Though regular massage may reduce or eliminate the need for medication, it might not be the ideal replacement in every unique situation. In some cases, it should be supplementary to the use of medications, and certain modalities may not be safe at all. People with any of the following conditions should speak with a physician before deciding to rely solely on bodywork for pain management:
- Severe arthritis
- Post-surgical pain
- Neurological disorders
- Acute injuries
Now You Know!
The utilization of massage therapy is a holistic and effective approach to pain management. Maybe you’re living with chronic back aches, migraines, sciatica, or any other cause of pain – and massage may be a better solution than potentially harmful medications. It might even help you stop their use entirely or rely less on them.
Katrina Jenkins
Author, Licensed Massage Therapist
Katrina Jenkins graduated from Towson University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and worked as a nurse’s aide briefly before pursuing her true passion. She graduated from the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado in April 2016 with honors and completed the Touch of Healers Scholarship Program the following summer. She has been a part of the Moyer Total Wellness Team since the summer of 2017.
Resources
American Massage Therapy Association. (n.d.). Massage as an Alternative to Opioids | AMTA. [online] Available at: https://www.amtamassage.org/resources/massage-and-health/alternative-to-opioids/.
Conrad, I. (2022). Benefits of massage therapy. [online] Mayo Clinic Health System. Available at: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/benefits-of-massage-therapy.
Healthline Editorial Team (2023). How Opioids Affect the Brain: Immediate and Long-Term Effects. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-opioids-affect-the-brain.
Hurt, A. (2020). Melatonin for Pain. [online] MedCentral. Available at: https://www.medcentral.com/meds/pain/melatonin-pain [Accessed 18 Sep. 2025].
Ko, E. (2024). 5 alternative treatments for chronic pain. [online] Uclahealth.org. Available at: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/5-alternative-treatments-chronic-pain.
Made For This Moment | Anesthesia, Pain Management & Surgery. (2024). Made For This Moment | Anesthesia, Pain Management & Surgery. [online] Available at: https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/pain-management/non-opioid-treatment/.
Photo Credit
Canva by AlexRaths