The effects of grounding (earthing) on bodyworkers’ pain and overall quality of life

Chevalier et al, 2019 [double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial, n= 16, male and female, from 30 to 55 years of age], aimed to determine the effects of grounding on massage therapists’ quality of life and pain. The intervention consisted of a grounding mat placed directly under a massage table sheet and a larger separate grounding mat placed on the floor around the massage table. Grounding was also performed at the therapist's home during sleep, by a grounding tummy band or a grounding sleeping mat. The trial period was 6 weeks, but grounding was performed for 4 weeks. Grounded therapists, as a group, experienced significant increases in physical function and energy and significant decreases in fatigue, depressed mood, tiredness, and pain as compared to the control group. At one-month following the study, physical function was also increased and depressed mood and fatigue were decreased. The authors concluded that grounding helped therapists who were experiencing higher stress and higher levels of pain by providing them with extra energy, increasing relaxation, improving sleep, less anxiety and depression. These findings, combined with results from previous studies suggest that grounding is beneficial for massage therapists in multiple domains relevant to their occupation, improving overall health and quality of life.