As we all know, massage therapy is one of the oldest and most commonly used treatment methods, where people use it to overcome fatigue and help their bodies recover. But does it really work for pain? Here is an overview of the procedures, benefits, and impact of massage therapy in relieving pain.
What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is a type of therapy that helps in manipulation of soft tissues of the body and muscles performed by a licensed and trained masseur. Such techniques include pressing, stroking, kneading, and rubbing, among other several forms aiding in the practices aimed at enhancing health. Such techniques range from a basic Swedish massage that nearly every one of us is familiar with to deep tissue massage, sports massage, and many more, all with particular therapeutic objectives.
How Massage Therapy Works for Pain Relief
There are several mechanisms through which massage therapy alleviates pain:
Improved Blood Flow: The effect of massage therapy is seen to the greatest degree when it comes to enhancing blood flow; therefore, there is more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the muscles and tissues, which helps towards their recovery.
Reduction of Muscle Memory Compression: The client moves in one direction or position for longer periods of time and thus suffers pain, but massage helps release the muscle and soft tissue areas that have been tightened and causes reduction to the discomfort.
Endorphins: Through stimulating the body during a massage, the brain is triggered to release a natural pain-killing substance known as endorphins.
Calmness: There is a physical involvement in carrying out practices of massage where there are also intervals of inactive postures that are prolonged and assist in stress reduction as well as pain acuity.
Conditions Massage Therapy Can Help With
Massage therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Chronic Back Pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Arthritis
- Sports Injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches and migraines
Each condition may require a different type of massage, with tailored techniques to suit the specific issue.
The Science Behind Pain Relief Through Massage Therapy
There is quite a lot of empirical evidence that suggests, massage therapy eases pain. Studies have shown that regular massages help decrease the levels of inflammation and increase the body’s threshold of pain to a higher level. It is even said that massage stimulates the nerves, enabling faster healing in the injured regions of the body.
Is massage therapy advisable for all types of pain?
The answer is no. There are a number of different forms of pain that one might use massage therapy to address, but this treatment approach is not applicable in every case. Take, as an example, biliary diseases caused by acute inflammation in which surgery is done. In such cases, medical massage therapy is contraindicated and can worsen the patient’s condition if improperly practiced. Thus, it is essential to get a physician’s assessment to clarify if there are any contraindications for massage treatment or certain techniques in relation to your pain condition.
Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy
Not only does routine massage therapy help in ache relief, it encompasses a wider spectrum of advantages. The following are some of the significant merits:
Increased Flexibility: Better flexibility of the joints and muscles, which may prevent injuries.
Improved Posture: Correcting muscular asymmetries may lead to congestion prevention and reduction due to better postures.
Decreased Stresses: Frequent massages have been indicated to lower levels of cortisol, which in turn means stress and its effects on the body are lessened.
Combining Massage Therapy with Other Treatments
Massage therapy is frequently recommended for chronic or acute pains and is most effective when combined with. Other treatments include:
Physical Therapy: When massage is used in conjunction with strengthening exercises, the results are enhanced.
Chiropractic Care: Pain relief and restoration of motion are achieved with the use of massage as a complement to chiropractic manipulation.
Medication: In some instances, the therapeutic benefits of massage may also be aimed at relieving pain more rapidly in patients who are already taking pain medications.
How to Find a Qualified Massage Therapist
In order to obtain relief from the pain, it is important to find a proper massage therapist who is able to help. Here are several suggestions:
Check Credentials: Licenses and certificates for a therapist should be provided by them and up to the standard of a recognized body.
Ask for referrals: Seek assistance from your physician or even friends regarding the same.
Research Reviews: Go through articles and comments in order to analyze the scope of treatment offered by the therapist and whether it will work or not.
Specialization: Only an individual who practices and hence focuses on the healing process should be hired.
Conclusion
Such are the advantages of massage therapy for pain that its application is likely to be directed towards certain ailments. It is not to say that it will solve all the problems; however, it can be an extremely useful additional therapy when other treatments are applied. Massage therapy is reachable because it considers your body as an extension of its hands to handle the pain you feel.
