There are so many research studies that have linked massage with real physical and psychological benefits. Here I have put together a summary of some of these studies.

General

One paper found that after a massage, levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped by ~31% while levels of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin increased by ~30%.
The research reviewed studies on depression, pain syndrome, auto-immune conditions, immune systems, and stress on the job, stress of aging, and pregnancy stress.

Medical Benefits (Alleviation of symptoms, pain relief etc)

This study found that a 10-minute muscle massage after a workout could reduce soreness by 30%.

In this study, twenty children with leukemia were provided with daily massage therapy by their parents and were compared to a standard treatment control group. Following a month of massage therapy, depressed mood decreased in the children’s parents, and the children’s white blood cell and neutrophil counts increased.

This study demonstrated that participants who have osteoarthritis of the knee benefit from the self-massage intervention therapy.

This study concludes that for patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome, treatment with physical modalities and a combination of self-massage and home exercise is more effective than the physical modalities treatment alone.

This study compares traditional Thai self-massage with taking ibuprofen for patients who have upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points. The researchers concludes that the self-massage provides better results.

This study shows that there are clear benefits providing hospitalised preterm infants with massage therapy, These benefits include: increased vagal activity, increased gastric activity, increased serum insulin levels, better neurodevelopment, a positive effect on brain development, a reduced risk of neonatal sepsis, a reduction in length of hospital stay and reduced neonatal stress.

Stress Reduction/Depression Relief

In another study, women diagnosed with breast cancer received massage therapy or practiced progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for 30-min sessions 3 times a week for 5 weeks or received standard treatment. By the end of the study, only the massage therapy group reported being less depressed and less angry and having more vigor. Dopamine levels, Natural Killer cells, and lymphocytes also increased from the first to the last day of the study for the massage therapy group.

In this study, 29 gay men daily massages for one month. It was found that the effects of the massage therapy included a significant increase in Natural Killer Cell number, a significant decrease in cortisol the stress hormone, significant decrease in anxiety and increases in relaxation.

Self-Massage

Professional therapy is great but research on self-massage found that it is effective for alleviating stress and pain as well.

This study demonstrated that participants who have osteoarthritis of the knee benefit from the self-massage intervention therapy.

This study concludes that for patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome, treatment with physical modalities and a combination of self-massage and home exercise is more effective than the physical modalities treatment alone.

This study compares traditional Thai self-massage with taking ibuprofen for patients who have upper back pain associated with myofascial trigger points. The researchers concludes that the self-massage provides better results.