Are you dealing with constant pain?
As a licensed massage therapist, I can understand how challenging it can be to manage pain symptoms on a daily basis. It's truly a rewarding experience to help clients find natural relief through the power of massage. Witnessing how much a good massage can positively impact someone's life is truly awe-inspiring.
What is Pain
Pain is a multifaceted experience involving sensory and emotional elements and is often linked to physical discomfort or injury. It can also be caused by emotional trauma or psychological distress. Pain is an unpleasant sensation that occurs when our body or mind is injured or under stress.
The purpose of pain is twofold - to help us adapt to our environment and to safeguard ourselves. It alerts us when something is causing harm to our body and notifies us when something isn't right. The way we experience pain varies significantly depending on biological, psychological, and social factors. Pain may not always require a specific physical cause to exist.
Acute pain vs. Chronic pain
Acute pain is a type of pain that comes on suddenly and is typically intense and sharp. It is often caused by an injury or trauma, such as a cut, burn, or broken bone, and can be accompanied by physical symptoms like swelling or redness. Acute pain usually lasts for a short time and subsides once the underlying injury or trauma has healed.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, lasts longer than six weeks or beyond the expected healing time of the original injury. It can be caused by a musculoskeletal injury (involving the bones, muscles, or joints), nervous system dysfunction, chronic diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
``
The pain cycle can be a vicious spiral of physical contributions that activate when the body feels pain. When pain is felt in a localized area, muscles tighten around the area to protect it. Tight muscles can restrict movement and reduce blood circulation in the muscles. As normal movement is avoided pain is increased due to its restriction. The restricted movement then causes poor biomechanics and contributes to more pain. creating a negative feedback loop that can adversely affect a person's mental and physical well-being. It can cause a loss of motivation to exercise and move around, disrupt sleep quality, and lead to isolation and depression, ultimately making a person more sensitive to pain.
Benefits of Massage for chronic pain
Swedish or relaxation massage helps to soothe over-sensitized muscles and calm the central nervous system, thereby reducing stress and anxiety symptoms that worsen chronic pain symptoms. Many clients report experiencing better sleep after a massage session because deep sleep is essential for healing.
Certain therapeutic techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial massage have the potential to greatly alleviate stubborn muscle knots, reduce muscle spasms, increase muscle flexibility, and provide relief from prolonged pain.
Combining massage therapy with physical therapy has the potential to offer a wide range of benefits for individuals seeking to improve their physical and mental well-being. By employing massage therapy techniques alongside physical therapy exercises, patients may experience reduced pain, improved range of motion, increased relaxation, and overall enhanced physical function.
It's really important to understand that massage therapy is a key part of complementary medical care. Working with a licensed massage therapist is crucial to make sure that the treatment you get is both safe and effective. Check with your doctor before getting a massage, as certain conditions or situations may make it unsafe. Remember, taking care of your health should always be your top priority.
Heather Garber LMT
Onyx Massage & Bodywork
Keller, TX
Comments