Massage for Fibromyalgia: What Trials Found

Start With Mainstream Care

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body, along with fatigue, sleep trouble and often "fibro-fog" and low mood. [1] The NHS says to see a GP if you think you have it, because there is no specific test and symptoms resemble other conditions. [1] There is no cure, but treatment can ease some symptoms. [1]

The NHS names three main treatments: exercise, talking therapies and medicines. [2] It says regular exercise has been shown to help reduce pain and improve quality of life. [2] Massage is not among the three. These NHS fibromyalgia pages were last reviewed in October 2022. Massage, if used, sits beside these treatments. It does not replace them, and you should not stop or change medicines because of it.

New symptoms such as chest pain, a swollen painful leg, fever or sudden weakness are not explained by fibromyalgia and need prompt medical care. In the US, call 911 for emergencies. See massage warning signs.

What Reviews Found

1. Massage lasting at least 5 weeks

   promising but limited

   Improved pain, anxiety and depression; not sleep disturbance (9 trials, 404 people) [3]

2. Which styles

   mixed

   Myofascial release: moderate evidence of benefit; connective tissue massage and shiatsu: limited evidence; Swedish: may have no effect [4]

3. Massage among 22 non-drug treatments

   promising but limited

   Massage improved the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score, as did exercise and psychological treatments [5]

4. Lasting benefit

   mixed

   The 2014 review found no evidence on follow-up effects [3]; the 2015 review said myofascial release effects on pain and depression were maintained in the medium and short term, respectively [4]

5. Massage in Cochrane reviews of non-drug treatments

   Proper evidence not found

   The overview covered exercise, acupuncture, TENS and psychological therapies, not massage [6]

The 2014 meta-analysis, from hospital authors in China, said massage lasting at least 5 weeks had beneficial immediate effects on pain, anxiety and depression, and asked for large trials with long follow-up. [3] The review pooled nine trials with 404 people in total.

A 2015 review from Brazil included ten randomized and non-randomized trials of massage alone. [4] Pooled data from 145 participants showed myofascial release had large positive effects on pain, and medium effects on anxiety and depression, compared with placebo. [4] It rated that evidence moderate and the evidence for connective tissue massage and shiatsu limited, and said manual lymphatic drainage may be better than connective tissue massage and Swedish massage may have no effects. [4] Overall, most styles consistently improved quality of life. [4]

A 2026 review of ten studies compared connective tissue massage with myofascial release. Myofascial release significantly reduced pain, while connective tissue massage did not reach significance. [7] NCCIH separately describes the Swedish massage finding (two studies, 56 people, no benefit). [8]

What NCCIH Concludes

NCCIH, summarizing the research in 2016, says most studies indicated massage could provide short-term relief of some symptoms, but that the current evidence is too limited to be considered conclusive. [9] Its massage page concludes that massage may help some fibromyalgia symptoms if it is continued for long enough. [8]

Pressure Tolerance and Comfort

People with fibromyalgia can be very sensitive to pain, and the NHS lists increased sensitivity to pain among symptoms. [1] NCCIH says experts recommend that massage for fibromyalgia should not cause pain, and that it may be necessary to start with very gentle massage and increase intensity gradually over time. [9]

Practical points that follow from this, without any technique coaching: tell your therapist you have fibromyalgia, ask for light pressure first, and say "stop" or ask for less pressure at any time. Consent is ongoing and can be withdrawn. Unusual soreness lasting days, bruising, or a flare of symptoms after a session is a reason to pause and talk to your clinician. For how to talk about pressure, see massage pressure levels and how to talk to your massage therapist.

Other Options and Claims to Doubt

Be wary of anyone who claims to cure fibromyalgia; the NHS says it has no cure. [1] Other options with their own evidence include yoga, and for comparison acupuncture and massage. See also massage evidence by goal and how often and how long studies used.