If you experience chronic pain, massage therapy might be able to help.
How It Works
Once considered an alternative treatment, more and more healthcare facilities are turning to massage therapy to treat their patient’s pain. In fact, recent studies suggest that massage therapy can be very beneficial in treating pain.
Massage reduces the perception of pain, promotes relaxation, and reduces anxiety associated with chronic pain conditions.
Why massage therapy can be very effective in easing pain:
It improves circulation by increasing blood-flow to the site of illness or injury.
Releases the body’s natural pain relievers, endorphin's.
Speeds up the production of oxytocin (a hormone that relaxes the muscles and provides a feeling of contentment),
connecting patients to another human being.
If you suffer from pain, caused by illness or injury,
you may want to give massage therapy a try.
Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find massage therapists as
part of the regular healthcare staff.
They are working in hospitals, alternative birthing centers, physical therapy, elder care centers, back centers, and in doctor’s offices.
Conditions It Treats
The effectiveness of medical massage has been well documented
in patients suffering from:
Migraines and other types of headaches
Chronic pain disorders
Muscle injuries
Aches from fatigue
Muscle strain
8 Types Of Massage For Pain
1. Swedish Massage
Swedish massage uses a circular motion with long, smooth strokes, along superficial muscle groups. Swedish is one of the most common types of massage in the United States, and is great for a variety of medical conditions, requiring a lighter touch.
2. Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage uses deep, consistent strokes, to target the deeper layers of muscle. Deep tissue is used for muscle strain, neck, and back pain, and other body injuries. Though very beneficial, many patients report feeling sore the following day, but, this soreness is temporary and typically does not indicate a problem.
3. Essential Oils Aromatherapy Massage
This type of massage is great in treating specific health issues, through the use of specially-formulated aromatherapy oils, that are applied to the affected area, using gentle,
smooth strokes.
Special oil formulations can include healing properties for PMS, headaches,
muscle pain, energy and stress reduction.
4. Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu massage uses stretching, palm strokes, and a ‘finger pressure’ technique along the acupuncture meridians. This form of massage can be helpful in treating a variety of health conditions, including, fibromyalgia and back injury.
5. Sports Massage
Sports massage is used for treating specific injury caused by sports and other physical activity. This massage is area specific, meaning it targets the injured site. Sports massage employs stretching, combined with fast strokes, to relieve the pain associated with muscle,
and tissue strain.
6. Reflexology
Reflexology is sometimes referred to as a foot massage or hand massage, but it’s much, much more than that. By applying pressure to specific areas of the foot, or hand that are connected to the central nervous system; the body is then free to heal itself.
7. Pre-Natal Massage
Recently, pre-natal massage has become very popular among expectant women, and is used to treat swelling, body aches, and back pain associated with pregnancy.
8. Hot Stone Massage
Flat, smooth stones are heated, then applied to the body in order to relax targeted muscle groups. Hot stone massage works great in treating back pain, muscle strain,
and carpal tunnel syndrome.
