Lomi Lomi massage: what the research says

Lomi Lomi has not been studied in good trials. Evidence for massage in general, for stress and back pain, is limited.

What a session is

A traditional Hawaiian massage with long, flowing strokes of the hands and forearms, usually with oil. Sessions are slow and rhythmic and are often offered for relaxation.

What the research says

• Stress and worry: Not studied for Lomi Lomi. Studies of massage in general suggest it may ease anxiety, but bigger studies are needed. No good evidence yet · NCCIH, 2024
• Back, neck and muscle tension: Not studied for Lomi Lomi. Studies of massage in general found it may ease low back pain for a short time. No good evidence yet · Cochrane, 2015
• Sleep, low mood, menopause and grief: Not studied for Lomi Lomi in the sources we use. No good evidence yet

More on each need: Handle stress better · A relaxed body · Sleep better

Is it safe?

Massage is generally low risk. Rarely, serious harm has been reported, some after vigorous massage or in older people. If you are unsure whether massage suits you, ask your doctor first. NCCIH, 2019

Sessions on Sissoo complement medical care and never replace it. Please don’t stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor.

Sessions on Sissoo

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Checked 17 October 2026. Next check by April 2027. How we rate the evidence.