What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy involves the massaging of soft tissues of your body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissues, and joints. The manipulation of these areas helps to reduce discomfort that is linked to stresses due to work-related or every-day living situations, muscle overuse and chronic pain conditions.
This procedure dates back thousands of years from ancient China, Japan, India, Arabic nations, Egypt and Greece. Recently massage therapy has become popular through athletic endeavors and is now part of many medical practices. More than 10 million Americans enjoy pain massage therapy on a yearly basis. Massage therapy is often used in combination with other treatment procedures.
Rehabilitative Massage
Recreational Massage
Two Different Types: Benefits of Massage Therapy
There are two different basic types of massage therapy for two different purposes.
Rehabilitative Massage: This can also be called deep tissue, medical, therapeutic or clinical massage in response to specific medical conditions. Some sessions focus on trigger massage which targets tight muscle fibers. It is used in clinics, hospitals, sport injury facilities, and chiropractic offices.
Recreational Massage: This is known by different names, but one familiar name is Swedish massage. You will find this type of massage in spas, resorts and wellness locations to reduce stress, and anxiety as well as reducing pain.
Pain Massage Therapy: The Process
You can obtain the services of a massage therapist at a private office, in a hospital, in a nursing home, at a sports facility, in pain treatment clinics, and even in your own home.
Before beginning any treatment, the therapist will discuss your symptoms, take a medical history and discuss what you want to happen. They will manipulate the area of discomfort to determine the exact source of your pain and evaluate how much pressure to apply.
You most likely will lie on a table or if appropriate sit in a chair, wearing loose-fitting clothing. The area that needs to be massaged will be uncovered. Your therapist may use lotion to reduce the friction on your skin. The session can range from fifteen minutes to 90 minutes. Since people react to different levels of pressure, do not hesitate to inform your therapist if the pressure is too much or too little. Your therapist will be able to change their technique to suit your preferences.
Pain Message Therapy: Who Can Perform a Massage?
There is both a national and state certification for massage therapists. In many instances, there is a requirement of 650 hours of training for the initial accreditation with the requirement of ongoing courses. Medical practitioners such as chiropractors and physical therapists may have certification in massage as well.
Pain Massage Therapy: Effectiveness
While there are not many statistics about the effectiveness of American massage therapy, studies do show that there can be a reduction in anxiety for many clients through the stabilization of blood pressure and heart rate. Eighty- nine percent of the patients in a study from July 2016 to July 2017 agreed that massage was an effective method for reducing pain.
Pain Massage Therapy: Relief for 6 Conditions
- Low Back Pain: People with chronic low back pain found some relief, especially in cases where other more traditional methods of treatment were not effective according to clinical trials completed in 2008
- Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: In combination with other treatment, massage therapy does reduce pain, stiffness, and fatigue, thereby improving the quality of life.
- Post-Operative Pain: Research has shown that massage therapy is effective in reducing different types of pain and anxiety in recovery for surgical procedures.
- Tension Headaches: Tension headache is the most common type of headache. Since massage therapy does relieve stress in many areas of the body, it can be useful in relieving tension headaches. It is an effective therapy for this pain.
- Arthritis: Not only does massage relieve the pain of osteoarthritis but it increases the range of mobility in joints.
- Pain from Cancer: A study of hospice patients with advanced cancer reinforced the fact that massage is beneficial for pain management.
- Healing Touch: Many patients benefit from the effects of touch which can produce feelings of well-being perhaps due to the release of serotonin and dopamine during the massage.
Consult with your pain doctor in NY or your pain doctor in NJ to find a pain message therapist for treatment of your specific condition.
Pain Massage Therapy: Not Recommended for These Conditions
While therapeutic massage therapy is useful for many conditions, there is a number where it may be harmful. Any area of inflammation may be irritated further by massage. Similarly, an area of infection can be spread through massage. Also, pain massage therapy is not recommended for heart problems, inflammation of the veins, known as phlebitis, and some skin conditions. It is also not recommended for people with bleeding disorders, or by patients taking blood thinners. It should not be used for people who suffer from osteoporosis (weak bones), in the area of blood clots or close to any recent surgical areas.
It should be noted that outside these special conditions that there are very few negative consequences from massage therapy.
How to Find a Message Therapist
Massage pain therapists are available at Pain Treatment Clinics. Contact your pain doctor in New York or your pain doctor in New Jersey to discuss the benefits of massage therapy for your chronic painful conditions. There are many locations of Pain Treatment Clinics to serve you.
Key Concepts
- Massage therapy dates back to antiquity.
- The process focusses on the manipulation of the soft tissues.
- Massage therapy is often used in combination with other treatment procedures.
- There are very few negative consequences for a healthy individual.
- The scientific reviews are not definitive on the benefits, but more and more studies show positive responses from patients.
- Massage can be a powerful way to manage your pain.
- Discussing this therapy option with your pain doctor is important.