Pain Relief With Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage does more than relax and eliminate stress from the body. It is another option to achieving relief from pain. Many people are surprised to learn the effectiveness of massage therapy when the right techniques have been used. People who never thought of massage as a healing therapy are now sold on the idea.

Chronic pain in the muscles usually indicates muscles tightness. Trauma, injury, repetitive use of the same muscles, or even stress can develop into a chronic condition if left untreated. When muscles tighten, the fibers within the muscle decrease in length, resulting in a shortened muscle. This shortened muscle, along with the connective tissue coverings called fascia, can begin to adhere to surrounding structures in the body, decreasing range of motion in the joints and placing pressure on nerves. Tight muscles also can lead to reduced circulation, allowing waste products to accumulate. These waste products can also irritate nerves causing pain to develop throughout the affected area. This pain cycle can be corrected by increasing circulation, softening and lengthening tight muscles and fascia, and breaking down any scar tissue or adhesions that have formed between tissue layers. All of the above can be remedied by therapeutic massage.

Massage therapy is more than a relaxation and stress relief tool. It is a natural, safe, and non-invasive therapy for the prevention and rehabilitative treatment for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, low back pain, sciatica, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, frozen shoulder, whiplash, sports injuries, shin splints, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and golfers elbow.

Therapeutic massage is not and should not be considered a magic cure-all. However, massage therapy should be considered a natural alternative to more invasive and conventional therapies. Any surgeries that are being considered should be a very last resort. There are no guarantees when it comes to surgery. Long recovery times and the real probability that surgery will not take care of the problem should be serious considerations before making such a decision.

Prevention is the key to keeping our bodies in peak condition before your body starts to send pain signals. Our bodies need regular tune-ups, just like our cars, to keep them performing efficiently and without problems. Receiving massage at least once a month enables the body to release unwanted stress from the muscles and helps prevent muscle aches and pains from becoming a chronic condition. It also helps you to feel your best, both mentally and physically.