For centuries, people have turned to massage therapy as a natural means of promoting relaxation. But what a lot of people don't realize is that therapeutic massage is also incredibly effective at treating chronic pain and helping rehabilitate injuries. We frequently refer patients to one of our massage therapists for any of the following reasons:
- Sports injuries
- Chronic headaches
- Back, neck, joint, and muscular pain
We also recommend it to our patients who seek holistic approaches to fibromyalgia and other muscle disorders, as well as those in our integrative pain management programs. Therapeutic massage therapy can become a powerful healing part of any recovery plan because of its proven effectiveness and minimally invasive nature.
Massage Therapy & Pain Relief
Massage therapy and pain relief go hand in hand, as the therapeutic touch of a skilled massage therapist can help alleviate tension, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation in the body. We can use a variety of techniques to target specific areas of pain, including:
- Deep tissue massage
- Myofascial release
- Trigger point therapy
Your massage therapist can help improve circulation, increase range of motion, and reduce pain. Many of our patients have found relief from their chronic pain conditions through regular massage therapy sessions, allowing them to live more comfortably and actively.
Nearly 61 percent of physicians recommend therapeutic massage as a holistic approach to care, so it's safe to say it can be very effective. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, there's also the added benefit of a decreased reliance on opioids for pain relief.
Massage for Injuries & Rehabilitation
Massage works particularly well for musculoskeletal injuries because it helps alleviate pain by manipulating soft tissues and reducing painful muscle tension and inflammation. It's even capable of influencing neurological pathways, reducing muscle excitability, and promoting relaxation. This can aid in pain management and may help you return to a pain-free life with restored mobility.
Massage treatment has helped many of our patients more comfortably complete their rehabilitation programs and usually becomes a key player in their healing process. How? Massage increases blood flow to the injured area, which delivers oxygen and nutrients necessary for tissue repair and healing. Enhanced circulation also helps remove waste products from the muscles through lymphatic drainage, speeding up recovery by reducing swelling and inflammation around the injured tissues. This can be particularly useful in the early stages of injury recovery.
It Even Helps With Scar Tissue
Massage techniques such as cross-friction, trigger point, and circular massage may also help with injuries that produce painful scar tissue during the healing process. We recommend massage because it not only provides pain relief but also helps the scar tissue break down and remodel.
Massage & Mental Health
Dealing with a chronic pain condition over long periods of time can be mentally exhausting. This is yet another reason why we recommend getting regular massages. It not only promotes relaxation and reduces psychological tension, but it can also decrease cortisol, the stress hormone. At the same time, massage increases endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers—all of which speed up the healing process. The power of touch is remarkable in its ability to heal both the body and the mind.
Our skilled therapeutic massage therapist can help match your condition with the right massage technique so you feel better much sooner.
