What used to be a thing of luxury in the past is now being used to treat and manage chronic pain. With its history dating as far back as the second century with its first known publication from China’s The Yellow Emperor’s Classic Book of Internal Medicine, massage therapy has been defined as the manipulation of the body’s soft tissue to reduce pain and stress. Massage therapy has many types or methods of manipulation with varying degrees of pressure put on the muscles. People experiencing chronic pain, often turn to massage therapy so they can get some relief.
What Is Chronic Pain and Who Suffers From It?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months. Sometimes the pain is constant, and other times it comes and goes. It can happen to anyone at any time. Some patients, however, have a history of injuries that can contribute to the development of chronic pain. Chronic pain is so debilitating that it can force you to leave your normal routine. Chronic pain is also extremely common, and it is one of the most common reasons people seek medical assistance.
People Who are Prone to Chronic Pain
While anyone can acquire chronic pain, some people are more prone to it because they have sustained an injury or engaged in an activity that puts them at risk.
- People Who Have Had a Previous Injury
Nerves in the afflicted area are destroyed when patients suffer injuries such as back sprains or torn muscles. When this happens, the discomfort intensifies and lasts longer. If no assistance is given, the afflicted person’s life will be limited as a result of the chronic pain. So it is best to consult an Oriole Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre that provides such service.
- People in High-Risk Jobs With Strenuous Activities
Some vocations, such as those in the construction sector, demand heavy lifting, and the body may take on a variety of awkward positions. As a result, the muscles are overused or twisted, which contributes to chronic pain development.
- People Suffering From Depression
When a person is depressed, every pain they are experiencing is amplified multiple times when compared to other people. There may be a decrease in activity or activities as a result of depression, causing muscles to weaken. When muscles are weak, they are more likely to be injured or stressed.
What Is the Role of Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain?
Reduced pain, stress, and tension are some of the benefits of massage treatment for chronic pain. When a nerve transmission or receptor sends a signal to the brain, pain occurs. The pressure used by the fingers and the rubbing of the skin during the massage improves blood flow, allowing more oxygen and other critical nutrients to reach the muscles for repair. Because the massaging of the muscles also sends out a new sensation, the pain signals are interrupted and replaced by the new sensations, which help to lessen pain.
Types of Chronic Pain Massage
Because there are many various reasons why people suffer from chronic pain, there is a specific form of massage for each type of pain. Some of the massage techniques used to treat and manage chronic pain are listed below.
- Acupressure
The practise of acupressure is used to stimulate the specific acupressure spots on the body and along the meridians. This massage is designed to both enhance the body’s natural healing process and loosen up tight muscles. This is frequently used to treat pain, headaches, and muscle tension.
- Trigger Pointing
The basic goal of trigger point massage is to loosen or dissolve the knots that cause pain. Trigger point massage helps loosen those knots to minimize the pain they cause. For some, relief from the best chiropractor in Kitchener comes quickly, while for others, it may take some time.
- Kneading
Kneading, or deep muscular massage, is used to break down and realign the collagen strands. Deep force is applied to the muscles. When muscles are injured, the collagen fibres in the muscle lie in different directions, restricting movement. This sort of massage therapy is intended to reduce tension in deeper underlying tissues as well as to help become more flexible.
- Myofascial Release
This sort of massage therapy seeks to address difficulties with the soft muscular tissues and is used to treat musculoskeletal ailments. This sort of massage relieves pain while also increasing muscle range of motion. Basically, massage therapy’s primary purpose in the management and treatment of chronic pain is to relieve tension. When your muscles are tense, they develop and constrict into painful knots that can endure for a long time. Painful knots form as a result of restricted movement, and people experience chronic pain. The muscles are kneaded to become more relaxed during massage therapy, which can help increase the range of motion.
Massage therapy, according to scientists, has the power to inhibit pain signals from being delivered to the brain, according to the gate control theory. Massage therapy has been demonstrated to be quite beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain in a number of different trials. Massage treatment can be done in a variety of ways and with varying levels of pressure. It’s vital to keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be painful to work.
Massage therapy will have to be tailored to your specific situation. Make sure you’ve cleared it with your doctors first, so you can clear it with your registered massage therapist as well. Massage therapy does not necessarily have to be performed in a clinical or hospital setting. It’s even possible to do it at home. Just make sure it’s done by a licensed massage therapist in Guelph professional. If you combine massage therapy with other therapies as suggested by your physician, massage therapy can help improve the quality of your life. What you need is to figure out what works best for you.
