Hospice

The Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice Services Program uses massage as an integral part of their palliative care program. The Hospice's website states that: "Massage therapy is the right touch for hospice patient. It can alleviate pain and anxiety felt by the patient and the caregiver. It also can reduce the amount and/or frequency of pain medications that are prescribed."

A 2005 study conducted at the Hospice of Florida Suncoast and published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that patients receiving massage therapy reported a 52% reduction in pain scores and experienced similar improvements in anxiety and peacefulness.