How Does Massage Therapy Help With Pain Management?

We all suffer from pain sometimes, and to block the pain sensations, many of us rely on pain-relieving drugs. But, is it safe to have NSAIDs for an extended period and do these help you get rid of the pain permanently? No! We need to have an alternative method of controlling the pain that does not involve ingestion of any chemicals.

People suffering from chronic pain are anxious to find pain relief without medicines or drugs. Thus, many turn to massage therapy as a way out. Massage is a relaxing and powerful tool that restores the body’s well-being and improves the quality of life by easing pain and stiffness.

1) Acute pain is short-lived because it resolves by self-healing, but any pain that stays over time, even after the injury has healed, is said to be chronic and can deter the individual from comfortable daily living. Do not reach out for that painkiller bottle; those medications can have adverse long-term effects and are highly addictive. Rather, choose a holistic approach and heal with massages!

2) Chronic pain can leave people crippled and doubled up in agony, unable to perform basic household chores. Many research studies indicate that medical bodies now believe massages are a great way to relieve neck and back pain and also provide relief in painful medical conditions like osteoarthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, and cancer. You don’t have to rely on prescription painkillers anymore; you can pick the “no nasty side effects” and risk-free option: massage therapy. It’s time to start living again!

3) Massage therapy prompts physiological changes that provide relief from pain in the body. The rhythmic kneading and pressing of the muscles, tissues, and large nerve fibers close the pain gates, reducing pain perception.

4) Muscle relaxation comes naturally with massage therapy because stiff and tight muscles are loosened, and muscular tension relaxes. Contractions, spasms, stiffness, and tenseness in the muscles are reduced. As the tight muscle relaxes, pain is relieved, flexibility and range of motion improve, and mobility also increases.

5) Massages improve blood circulation and carry nutrients, haemoglobin, and nutrients to the whole body, including congested areas. With improved blood flow, waste products and toxins collecting in the body can be thrown out. These wastes can contribute to pain; once they move, they make a person feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

6) Massage therapy lowers inflammation in the body. Swelling and inflammation lead to pain. When the body is pressed and kneaded, inflammatory cytokines reduce, inflammation lessens, and the individual feels recharged and active.

7) Massages are a great stress reliever. Whenever there is a nagging pain in the body, the anxiety and stress levels rise, making the individual tense. However, massages relax the body and reduce anxiety, pushing the person into a state of calmness because of the reduction of cortisol, the stress hormone.

8) Massages push the individual into a calm parasympathetic state by releasing oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, the natural painkilling mood-boosting chemicals. These chemicals add the “happy, satisfied” factor to the blood, making the individual positive and calm.

Besides helping an individual cope better with the pain symptoms, massage therapy also promotes sleep by improving quality and duration with the secretion of melatonin, the sleep hormone. It’s important to catch up on sleep because not sleeping enough is the reason for the body to feel aches and pains all over.

Massages generally reach the muscles and tissues, but the kind of pressure and technique used depends on the type of massage modalities. The therapist relies on good communication while performing the massage and alters his style to suit the client’s needs. Tight and stiff muscles can cause tingling and pain because of the excess pressure on the nerves. The tension can be released with the right kind of pressure and kneading of a therapeutic massage. Take the perfect opportunity to halt that pain cycle and increase the production of endorphins.

There are a couple of massages for pain relief:
1. Trigger point or Myofascial massage: Trigger points are tight adhesions or knots in the muscles and connective tissues. These points remain agitated and must be massaged to relax them. The adhesions are slowly massaged to improve blood circulation, decrease inflammation, and reduce pain.

2. Deep tissue massage: Hard strokes and intense pressure are used rhythmically to relieve muscle tension by removing stiffness. The sustained pressure of the deep strokes improves blood circulation, and the connective tissue and muscles start healing.

3. Sports tissue massage: This massage uses vibrating, gliding, and deep strokes in a circular and stroking manner to reduce tightness and tension.

Agitated muscles, tissues, tendons, and joints must be pressed to release the pent-up stress. Thus, the best massage therapist in Singer Island applies varying pressure to relax and benefit the body. Contact us at Ideal Wellness for a rejuvenating and therapeutic massage near Singer Island.

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