Massage Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury: Boosting Strength, Mobility, and Mental Health

Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Tim

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) often cause lasting physical and emotional challenges, limiting mobility, strength, and independence. While traditional rehabilitation focuses on physiotherapy and exercise, new research highlights massage therapy as a powerful complementary treatment. A clinical study by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami revealed that regular massage sessions can improve muscle strength, expand range of motion, and reduce anxiety and depression in people with SCI. This discovery strengthens the role of therapeutic touch in modern rehabilitation, showing how targeted manual therapy supports both neuromuscular recovery and mental wellbeing in patients living with paralysis.

How does massage therapy support people with spinal cord injury (SCI)?

Massage therapy helps people with spinal cord injury regain muscle strength, mobility, and emotional stability. According to a study by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, massage increased range of motion and muscle strength while decreasing anxiety and depression in patients with cervical-level injuries.
This finding shows that massage is more than relaxation—it’s a therapeutic intervention that enhances both physical and mental recovery in SCI rehabilitation.

What was the purpose of the study on massage for SCI?

Researchers wanted to determine whether massage therapy could improve motor function and mood in people living with spinal cord injuries for over a year. The study, published in the International Journal of Neuroscience (2002), was led by Miguel Diego, Tiffany Field, Ph.D., and colleagues from the Touch Research Institute.
Their goal was to compare the outcomes of massage therapy with exercise, focusing on measurable changes in muscle performance, mobility, and emotional wellbeing.

Who participated in this massage therapy study?

The research included 20 adults with C5–C7 spinal cord injuries, all at least one year post-injury. The group consisted of 15 men and 5 women, averaging 39 years old.
Each participant’s baseline motor function and range of motion were carefully evaluated before being randomly assigned to a massage group or an exercise group. This ensured fair comparison and reliable results.

How was the study structured?

The study followed a randomized controlled trial format. Both groups participated in two sessions per week for five weeks. The massage therapy group received treatments from licensed therapists, while the exercise group performed guided physical exercises independently.
A physiotherapist, unaware of each participant’s group assignment, conducted all assessments using tools such as the Modified Barthel Index (for self-care and mobility) and the Manual Muscle Test (for motor strength). This blind evaluation ensured unbiased data collection.

What did the massage therapy involve?

Each participant in the massage group received a 40-minute session twice a week for five consecutive weeks, administered by professionals from the Educating Hands School of Massage under Iris Burman’s direction.
The massage combined myofascial manipulation, neuromuscular techniques, and gentle joint mobilization. The therapists focused on shoulders, wrists, and upper limbs, the main areas affected in cervical spinal injuries. These techniques aimed to improve circulation, flexibility, and neuromuscular function.

What physical benefits did participants experience?

The massage therapy group showed significantly greater gains in muscle strength and joint mobility compared to the exercise group.

Measured by the Manual Muscle Test, participants receiving massage therapy achieved noticeable increases in upper limb control and functional mobility. Improved range of motion made daily tasks like dressing and wheelchair movement easier and smoother.

How did massage affect mental health?

Massage also produced measurable psychological benefits. Using the CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) and State Anxiety Inventory, researchers found:

• Depression scores dropped significantly after five weeks of massage therapy.

• Anxiety levels decreased immediately following each massage session.
  These emotional changes were stronger in the massage group than in the exercise group. Researchers suggested that the physical improvements—increased mobility and reduced stiffness—likely contributed to better mood and reduced stress.

Why does massage improve both body and mind in SCI patients?

Massage activates neurological and biochemical pathways that connect muscle activity with emotional regulation. Improved motor function stimulates serotonin and endorphin release, enhancing mood and motivation.
From a biopsychosocial perspective, massage integrates sensory feedback, neuroplasticity, and stress reduction, creating a loop that supports both physical recovery and mental resilience. This dual effect makes massage a holistic rehabilitation tool for spinal cord injury.

What does this mean for future SCI care?

The researchers concluded that massage therapy should be integrated into SCI rehabilitation programs to complement physiotherapy and mental health treatment. They recommended future research to explore its effects on spasticity, pain, and long-term neurological adaptation.
This evidence supports massage therapy as a clinically valuable, non-invasive method for improving both physical and psychological outcomes in spinal cord injury patients.

Conclusion

Massage therapy provides a measurable improvement in strength, mobility, and emotional stability for people with spinal cord injuries. By combining physical manipulation with sensory and psychological benefits, it bridges the gap between traditional rehabilitation and holistic healing. The research from the Touch Research Institute confirms that massage enhances motor performance, reduces depression and anxiety, and supports neuroplastic recovery. As evidence grows, massage therapy stands out as a valuable addition to SCI treatment programs—one that empowers patients to regain control, confidence, and quality of life.

Source: Touch Research Institute, International Journal of Neuroscience, 2002, Vol. 112, pp. 133–142.
Authors: Miguel A. Diego, Tiffany Field, Ph.D., Maria Hernandez-Reif, Ph.D., Sybil Hart, Ph.D., Tory Field, Bernard Brucker, Ph.D., and Iris Burman.