Chronic pain can be debilitating. Due to this, proper pain management is crucial. Massage therapy is a rising treatment option for those undergoing pain management treatment and searching for relief. This article will discuss how massage therapy can benefit those aiming to treat acute or chronic pain, how this treatment option works, and the different types of massage therapy options.
How Does Massage Therapy Work?
Massage therapy can assist in obstructing pain signals to and from the brain. It can also relax sore muscles, tendons, and joints, reducing tension and easing anxiety. The massage can focus on either the entire body or a specific body part that experiences pain.
Massage therapy works on tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, joints, and other connective tissue. It also works on lymphatic vessels and even gastrointestinal organs. The application of massage can be done with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, or feet, and it is always done in a setting of care and trust.
Depending on a person’s condition, the massage therapist can increase or decrease the pressure applied to the individual. For example, those with sensitivity to pressure, such as individuals with conditions like fibromyalgia, will benefit more from a lighter-pressure massage. The trained massage therapist and the individual will work together to discover what will work best for them and their specific health condition.
Can Massage Therapy Relieve Pain?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic pain affects 50 million Americans. This is more than those affected by diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. While opioid medication is often prescribed to these individuals, these drugs have numerous risks, including addiction and overdose.
Pain management without pain medication is possible. Massage therapy has been studied numerous times and proven that it is a viable option for pain relief. According to research in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, those who had hand massages four times per week reported less hand discomfort and increased grip strength. In comparison to those in the control group who did not receive hand massages, they also slept better and had less anxiety.
Meanwhile, a 2014 study that appeared in the Annals of Family Medicine revealed that two or three 60-minute therapeutic massages per week for four weeks were more effective in relieving chronic neck discomfort than receiving none, only one, or only a few sessions. Another study showed that massage therapy was an effective treatment for those experiencing cancer pain.
Massage Therapy Alongside Pain Management
Our pain management program at Avalon Malibu encourages improvements in daily life and makes it easier to experience less pain. With the use of multidisciplinary care, we can help our clients better control their own pain and enhance their quality of life by educating them on lifetime pain management techniques.
A few of the services we provide for people receiving pain management treatment include:
- Medication management
- Family-client education
- Mind-body connection
- Coping mechanisms
- Stress management
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy (posture, body mechanics, ergonomics)
- Relaxation training
In addition to these services, we offer massage therapy to help relieve pain and allow individuals to find comfort.
While pain relief through massage therapy is crucial, it is also vital that individuals learn pain management techniques that can help them cope with daily pain. By employing all of these treatments, individuals have the tools they need to live their life fully despite chronic pain.
Massage Therapy Options at Avalon Malibu
Our trained massage therapists offer multiple types of massage therapy. Depending on each unique situation, one therapy option may better fit an individual than others. The different types of massage therapy offered at Avalon Malibu include:
- Swedish massage: The circulation in general and blood oxygenation are both enhanced by this type of massage. To offer calming and stimulating effects, the unique kneading motions may be done at different depths.
- Remedial massage: This type of massage is frequently advised by medical professionals to address particular ailments, primarily muscle and tissue damage. It is also used often to support those whose bodily function is impacted by illness.
- Deep tissue massage: This is an effective technique that involves gentle, in-depth manipulation of tight muscles and connective tissue with the goal of breaking up deep muscle knots that are the source of pain.
- Sports massage: These types of massages are beneficial for not just athletes, but everyone as this type of massage works to loosen tightened muscle tissue.
- Thai massage: Thai massages adjust skeletal structure with moderate pressure and stretching, improving flexibility and stress relief. This massage is also beneficial when combined with other therapies like acupuncture and shiatsu.
- Hot stone massage: This is a relaxing form of massage that places flat, smooth, warmed pebbles on the body at strategic locations. It is often used to clear obstructions and channels throughout the body.
Depending on the demands of each client, our massage program is included in their overall pain management plan. Our massage therapy treatments are a favorite among our clients, and we guarantee that each person’s relaxation comes first.
