A large portion of the American population suffers from some form of chronic pain. A study conducted by the National Health Institute found that an estimated 25.3 million adults have experienced chronic pain every day for a period of three months or more. So what is there to be done about this problem? There are a number of different coping mechanisms and ways to manage severe pain, but it can be tricky because everyone is unique and it can affect each individual differently.
Massage therapy is a great holistic treatment for chronic pain. Some of its benefits include: relief of chronic tension headaches, long lasting relief of lower back pain, improvement of deep sleep, and overall mind and body relaxation. Massage therapy can even be used to treat back pain caused by an injury or trauma.
One reason massage therapy is so effective is its approach taken; the pain is worked on externally in order to find the root cause. Massage manages chronic pain as a holistic part of an overarching mechanism. Other techniques that target, pinpoint, and deal only with the area where pain resides can be momentarily effective but may not be a long lasting solution.
The emotional toll of chronic pain can be extremely taxing. People who experience chronic pain often suffer from sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, inability to focus,and more. Prescriptions like opioids could worsen these side effects, and you run the risk of becoming addicted to pain medication as well.
Massage therapy can alleviate these side effects by relaxing the muscles, relieving headaches, and increasing deep sleep without the possibility of becoming addicted to pain medication. With an increase in prescription drug addiction, it is becoming more pertinent to find alternative relief for chronic pain, and massage therapy is a step in the right direction.
Not only is massage a great alternative to prescription drugs, it is also relatively easy to find a licensed massage therapist. Massage therapists can work in many different settings, so whether you are looking for massage therapy from a doctor’s or medical professional’s office, or are just planning a trip to the spa, you can alleviate chronic pain wherever you’re most comfortable.
Getting massages as mentioned is extremely beneficial to alleviate pain, however it is important to keep in mind that this pain relieving technique is only long lasting and effective with repeated sessions. Because the process is loosening muscles, knots, and ligaments, it takes time and repetition to work on a long-term scale.
After one visit you may have temporary relief, but that is not a valuable solution when you are experiencing constant pain. Massage therapy, while effective, is a tool of maintenance more than it is a cure, so it is up to each patient to go regularly in order for this natural remedy to work at its best. Luckily, it’s no longer legal for insurance companies to discriminate against health care providers who practice alternative medicine, so it might be more affordable than you think to get a regular rub down.
Overall, there is no guarantee that you chronic pain will go away forever after a massage session, but it is worth a shot if you are suffering from constant and unrelenting pain. It is a treatment that is beneficial on a multitude of levels by minimizing chronic pain, depression, and headaches. Even if just some of those symptoms and side effects subside it can make the session worth it.
Who knows? After a few trips, massage therapy may even become a long-lasting, holistic solution to a seemingly unbeatable problem.