07/18/2026
Good morning!
A few years ago, I had the privilege of co-authoring what became one of the first studies to identify a biological mechanism by which manual therapy may help prevent repetitive strain injuries.
Rather than asking whether manual therapy “works,” we asked how it works.
Using a well-established model of repetitive strain injury, our research found that early manual therapy reduced nerve inflammation, decreased ongoing nociceptor activity, limited fibrosis around nerves, and preserved function during repetitive loading. These findings helped move the conversation from opinion toward measurable biological mechanisms. (PMC)
As both a clinician and researcher, this work continues to shape how I think about prevention. By the time pain becomes chronic, many biological changes have already occurred. Understanding those changes helps us intervene earlier and provide better care.
Research like this is why I remain passionate about evidence informed massage therapy. Every patient deserves treatment guided by both experience and science.
If you’d like to read the paper, it’s available here:
Painful and disabling musculoskeletal disorders remain prevalent. In rats trained to perform repetitive tasks leading to signs and dysfunction similar to those in humans, we tested whether manual therapy would prevent the development of the pathologies and symptoms.
Painful and disabling musculoskeletal disorders remain prevalent. In rats trained to perform repetitive tasks leading to signs and dysfunction similar to those in humans, we tested whether manual therapy would prevent the development of the pathologies and symptoms. We collected behavioral, electrop...
