Chronic pain is a condition that affects a large number of individuals in the modern society and greatly reduces their well-being.
From backache, neck ache, arthritis and muscle strain, many people suffer discomfort on a regular basis.
For those people who are in search of a natural and non-pharmacological way of combating chronic pain, remedial massage therapy may be the answer.
A remedial massage therapist is a professional who treats muscle and skeleton disorders and pain through specific massage to address the root cause of the problem not the symptoms.
In this article, we will learn how a remedial massage therapist can assist in the reduction of chronic pain, the techniques employed and why it is often an essential component of pain management.
Understanding Chronic Pain and Its Impact
Chronic pain is distinguished by the fact that it is long-lasting; it lasts for a period of more than three to six months and can be attributed to various factors which include injury, diseases, poor posture, or repeated movements.
It could be localized to a particular region of the body including the back, shoulders or any other part of the body, or it could be generalised as in the case of fibromyalgia.
Chronic pain is not only a physical problem, but it can also have an affect on the emotional and mental health.
Chronic pain patients may have problem with doing some activities, exercising, or having proper night sleep.
Normally, people turn to conventional medicine in which drugs used have side effects, then they resort to remedial massage therapy.
The Role of a Remedial Massage Therapist in Pain Relief
A remedial massage therapist is taught to diagnose the source of the pain and treat the cause by being knowledgeable about the structure of the human body.
They are applied on areas of contention, stress, and hormonal imbalance of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Where as general relaxation massages are more for the whole body, remedial massage is more specific and aims at certain areas that might be painful and uses specific techniques to relieve the pain.
Key Benefits of Remedial Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain:
1. Improved Blood Circulation:
Another important effect that can be achieved with the help of remedial massage is the improvement of blood circulation.
It has also been seen that massage enhances the flow of blood to the injured tissues and muscles that in turn leads to fast healing and decrease in pain.
It also helps in the removal of waste products and other inflammatory substances from the region thus serving to minimize pain and inflammation.
2. Release of Muscle Tension:
Chronic pain is mostly related to muscle stiffness or spasm which may lead to pain or even worsen other conditions.
A remedial massage therapist employs deeper form of massage to handle this situation by focusing on the particular muscles or muscle areas that are causing the discomfort.
When the muscles are contracted, they compress the tissues around them and, as the muscles relax, the pressure is reduced and the pain as well as the limitation of movement decreases.
3. Reduction in Inflammation:
This is one of the most usual states in chronic pain which can be seen in arthritis or tendinitis for example.
It is therefore important to note that remedial massage can assist in decreasing inflammation through stimulation of the lymphatic flow and enhancing blood circulation.
The level of pain reduces with the reduction in the level of inflammation. This can be rather helpful in the treatment of diseases affecting joints and soft tissues with inflammation.
4. Trigger Point Therapy:
Pain is the general body’s vibe, however, there are instances where the pain is due to the trigger points that are basically Muscle Knots.
These are very small and tight muscles which can cause a person pain in other parts of the body.
For instance, a trigger point in the upper back may refer pain to the head or to the shoulder.
A remedial massage therapist will know how to locate these trigger points and work through them to relieve the pain which results from them.
5. Stress and Anxiety Relief:
Pain and stress are two things that go hand in hand most of the time especially when it comes to chronic pain.
Chronic pain management results to anxiety, which in turn increases muscle tension and thus worsening of the pain.
Besides the fact that it alleviates pain, remedial massage therapy also has relaxation effects which assist in the management of stress and anxiety that comes with chronic pain.
The endorphins that are released during the course of massage also help in improving the mood and the general feeling of well being of the subject.
6. Improved Range of Motion and Mobility:
Chronic pain affects mobility as well as flexibility greatly. This is especially important as remedial massage aims at repairing damaged muscles and joints hence enhancing the flexibility and the range of movement.
Lymphatic drainage also plays a part in relaxing and un-tensing muscles so that patients can be able to carry out their daily activities without much difficulty due to pain.
A Holistic Approach to Pain Management
Another strength of remedial massage therapy is that it doesn’t only focus on specific affected areas of the body that has pain.
It is different from conventional treatments which involve the use of drugs or surgeries in that remedial massage targets the causes of chronic pain including muscle imbalances, tension, and poor posture.
It has also been noted that using remedial massage together with other forms of treatment such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care or exercising can lead to permanent change and minimal use of drugs for pain relief.
This is because remedial massage therapy is a one on one treatment that focuses on the part of the body that requires attention resulting to the best results.
Conclusion
A remedial massage therapist can help with much more than just managing the painful symptoms of chronic pain—they provide a specific, and effective method of dealing with the source of the pain and enhancing the client’s health.
Because remedial massage improves blood flow, decreases muscle spasms, relieves oedema, and increases the range of motion, it can be a very effective part in the treatment of pain.
If you are a chronic pain sufferer and are tired of taking pills and wanting a natural, non-surgical approach then a remedial massage therapist could assist you in taking charge of your health and increasing your well-being.
