Everything You Need To Know About Chronic Pain & Massage Therapy

Chronic pain can linger for months or years and affects every body part. It disrupts daily living and might result in despair and anxiety. The initial stage in massage therapy is to identify and address the underlying problem. When that is impossible, a mix of drugs, massage, and lifestyle modifications are the most successful strategy. But what is chronic pain, and how can it be managed?

What is Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is distinct from another form of pain known as acute pain. Acute pain occurs when you are injured, such as a minor cut to your skin or a fractured bone. It doesn't stay long and fades after your body heals from whatever caused the discomfort. Chronic pain, on the other hand, persists long after you have recovered from an accident or sickness.

Different Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain may take many different forms and manifest itself throughout your body. The following are some of the most common forms of chronic pain:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Cancer
• Headaches or migraines
• Orchialgia
• Scar tissue
• Fibromyalgia
• Neurogenic pain

Causes of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can sometimes be traced back to a specific cause, as you may have a chronic ailment, such as arthritis or cancer, that causes chronic pain. Also, chronic pain has obvious causes, including:

• Injuries or Diseases - Injuries and illnesses can also alter your body's physiology, making you more susceptible to pain. These alterations may persist even after you have recovered from the original injury or sickness. A sprain, a broken bone, or a short illness can all result in persistent pain.
• Psychogenic pain or Psychosomatic pain - Stress, worry, and sadness are among the psychological elements that contribute to it. Many experts believe this link stems from low endorphin levels in the blood. Endorphins are natural substances that provide happy sensations.

Symptoms of Chronic Pain

People who suffer from chronic pain describe their agony in a variety of ways, including:

• Aching
• Burning
• Shooting
• Squeezing
• Stiffness
• Stinging
• Throbbing

Treatment For Chronic Pain

To treat chronic pain, healthcare practitioners must first identify and address the underlying cause. However, there are situations when they are unable to locate the source of the pain. If this is the case, they will focus on treating or controlling the pain. The most effective treatment regimens use a range of approaches, including massage therapy.

Benefits of Massage Therapy For Chronic Pain

Massage therapy can be an effective therapeutic option for chronic pain. Massage treatments can assist relieve pain, stress, and tightness caused by chronic pain disorders. Massage can also assist in "desensitizing" or reducing the pain feeling as it travels to the brain by replacing it with another sensation.

Massages can also aid with stress reduction. When someone is in pain, their stress level rises, and this can exacerbate chronic pain disorders. Massage's calming benefits can help to tone down the nervous system's heightened condition and lower stress hormones.

The emotional discomfort or dread connected with chronic pain is frequently significant as well. Massage treatment can assist to raise endorphins, sometimes known as "happy hormones," and make emotional and fearful concerns feel less overpowering. People who are afraid of moving tend to move less, which might aggravate their discomfort. Massages that incorporate movement or stretching can boost people's confidence in movement, allowing them to be more active and healthy. Lymphatic drainage massage is one example of this!

Check out how our professional team here at Massage Rx can help with your chronic pain! Contact us today, as we provide the most effective and safe treatment! We do also have in-home massage therapy, so you can achieve the best treatment for your condition without leaving your home!