Massage Therapy for Pain Relief

A growing body of research shows massage therapy can be an effective part of pain relief and management.  This research data, and the experience of physicians, massage therapists and patients, should encourage pain specialists to consider incorporating massage therapy into their pain management programs. 

Neck pain is a common health problem in the United States. People suffering from neck pain often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Although therapeutic massage is one of the most popular CAM therapies for neck pain, little is known about its effectiveness for this condition.

The Benefits of Massage for Lower Back and Neck Pain

 

Lower back pain and neck pain can have many potential causes. Pain in these areas can be anything from an occasional ache to a debilitating and constant discomfort that affects a person’s work and home life. These two areas are prone to tension accumulation due to how a person walks, sits, and even sleeps. Acute lower back pain, described as pain that has lasted less than six weeks in duration, may resolve itself with little or no intervention. However, lower back pain kent that is sub-acute or chronic, lasting longer than six weeks in duration, is likely to require attention and care. There are several forms of massage that are particularly effective for lower back pain. Anyone considering massage for lower back and neck pain should find out more about the different techniques available to them in order to make the most of their massage experience.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, research shows that massage therapy provides several important health benefits, including:

• Massage relaxes muscles for an improved range of motion. The muscle relaxation also helps with insomnia.
• Massage leads to increased endorphin levels. The increase of endorphin levels is actually one of the greatest benefits of massage therapy. Endorphins are the chemicals the body produces that make you feel good, which is very effective in managing chronic pain.

- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. 

 - Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.

- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.

- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles

- Reduces spasms and cramping

- Increases joint flexibility.

- Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

- Releases endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.

- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.

- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.

- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.

- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays.

Precautions

Massage is not recommended for certain people:

• infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
• immediately after surgery
• immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
• people with osteoporosis should consult their doctor before getting a massage
• prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
• pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage.
• massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Additional Tips  

• Do not eat a heavy meal before the massage.  

•  If it's your first massage at my office, arrive at least 10 minutes early to complete the necessary forms, or print the form yourself from your own computer, complete and bring it into the office on your first visit. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to relax and begin resting before your massage .

•  Use the restroom prior to your scheduled treatment time so we can begin promptly.

Neck Pain Causes

Are you suffering from frequent headaches, shoulder pain and neck pain? It could be due to cervical spondylosis - a disease of the cervical spine.Pain located in the neck is a common medical condition. Neck pain can come from a number of disorders and diseases of any tissues in the neck. Back pain (also known as "dorsopathy") is pain felt in the human back that may come from the spine, muscles, nerves, or other structures in the back.

The disease can be due to several causes such as incorrect posture or prolonged sitting hours. Lack of nutritional foods is also a contributing factor. Due to the increased stress these days, the prolonged sitting hours has become its main cause.

Neck pain can come from common infections, such as virus infection of the throat, leading to lymph gland swelling and neck pain. Neck pain can also come from rare infections, such as tuberculosis of the neck and bone infection of the spine in the neck (osteomyelitis and septic discitis), and meningitis (often accompanied by neck stiffness). Neck pain can also come from conditions directly affecting the muscles of the neck, such as fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica. Neck pain is also referred to as cervical pain. Weakness may also be felt in the legs or feet.

Common causes of neck pain

o   Whiplash

o   Muscle strain

o   Degenerative disc disease

o   Herniated disc

o   Cervical spondylosis

o   Cervical spinal canal stenosis

However, you can take precautionary measures to prevent the disease. Follow these tips:

1. If your work long hours in front of the computer, you must relax the muscles of your neck and shoulders by taking frequent breaks from work.

2. While at work, avoid keeping your neck straight and stiff.

3. Drink a teaspoon of lemon juice after adding a pinch of salt to it two to three times a day.

 4. Roll your shoulders in a circular motion (clockwise) with your hands straight along your body. Repeat this in anti-clockwise direction. Repeat it five times.

5. Take 10 cloves of garlic and add them in 60 gm vegetable oil after crushing them. Heat the mixture till it gets hot, remove the utensil from the burner and allow the oil to cool down. Later strain the oil and massage the affected area with it. In case of severe pain, massage the area twice and bath with warm water.

 6. Place your arms straight in front of you, with the palms facing each other. Lift your arms and bring them near your ears and while doing so, inhale.

7. Do neck exercises. Look towards the left side and then slowly drop the chin to your chest and again look to the right hand side. Then repeat this exercise from the right hand side to the left hand side. Repeat it slowly for around five times.

8. Massage can also improve blood circulation and this is one of the reasons it can aid in the recovery of muscle strain and pains. 

Physiotherapy Center

Physiotherapy is a form of treatment which makes it possible for people to overcome the effects and symptoms of their injuries through special types of physical treatments. The Physical therapy helps place patients on the right track by exercising weak points and regaining strength that may have been lost and therapists usually work in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics or private practices.

Rainham Physiotherapy Centre was established in 1991 by Mr Javed Mughal, a Chartered & HPC registered Physiotherapist who specialises in the treatment of neck, back and sports injuries. The Centre is an accredited Centre and in December 2002 achieved Investors in People. Over the years, the Centre has expanded to offer specialities including Acupuncture, Pilates, Massage and a specialist service in Back and Neck pain.

Trainers and doctors who practice sports therapy have extensive knowledge of the many injuries that can happen during athletic events. The Physiotherapists help athletes recover from these injuries and return to their previous level of activity. Their work includes the management, treatment, rehabilitation, education and prevention of sport injuries and back pain. They also deal with the more common complaints of back pain medway, posture and mobility issues. The basic function of Physiotherapist in Sport is the application of treatment by physical means: electrical, thermal, mechanical, hydraulic, and manual therapeutic exercises with special techniques.

Some of the techniques involved in physiotherapy are massage and tissue manipulation, promoting increased blood circulation to the injured areas and, thereby, healing, exposure to heat or electricity, as well as light, water and cold, depending on the type of health problems the patient is facing, performing specially designed exercises and providing long-term support for patients who are suffering from chronic medical conditions.

Here are some benefits of that center using physiotherapy to manage and prevent physical problems.

1.) Eliminated or minimize your pain

2.) Muscle flexibility restored

3.) Muscle strength restored

4.) Joint range of motion restored

5.) Increased function at work and play

6.) Increased endurance at work and play

7.) Peace of mind

8.) Being able to sleep uninterrupted and free of pain at night

9.) Discontinue or reduce your medication consumption

10.) Return to playing your favorite sport

 

All of these benefits are what our staff at Nose Creek Sport Physical Therapy focus on to restore your overall function to get you moving faster and feeling better. We will provide you with a customized recovery program that will restore you to your maximal potential, and get you moving faster.