Massage Therapy: A Person-Centred Approach to Chronic Pain

Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2022 Sep 1;15(3):27-34. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v15i3.713. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Person-centred care is an emergent movement within evidence-based medicine that has the potential to transform the health care system. Person-centred care is a collaborative approach in which health care professionals partner with patients to co-design and deliver personalized care with a focus on physical comfort, emotional well-being, and patient empowerment. By embracing person-centred care through two-way communication, patient engagement, and self-management strategies, massage therapists have the potential to further reduce suffering associated with chronic pain in our society.

Keywords: chronic pain; complementary and integrative health; evidence-based health care; massage therapy; pain assessment; person-centred care.