Medline citations from 1965 to 2003 were searched for cases relating significant injury to the practice of therapeutic massage. Eleven such cases were found from over 12 million medical citations. While this number is far too small for statistical analysis of injury patterns, six recommendations for training and practice were obtainable from these reports on mechanistic grounds.

A conclusion of the general safety of massage follows from the paucity of report injury cases in conjunction with corroborative insurance statistics.

PUBLICATION
Massage safety: injuries reported in Medline relating to the practice of therapeutic massage—1965–2003
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 7, Issue 4, October 2003, Pages 207-212
Keith Eric Grant