Pain Management Through Massage Therapy

Massage — the word alone has the power to relax almost anyone. But while most people see massages as a way to relax and unwind, we (and many other medical professionals) see it as a form of pain management.

Pain Management

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. Typically, the story of pain is: someone feels pain in a part of their body, a doctor or specialist identifies the cause of that pain, he/she fixes the problem, and the pain goes away. However, there are many conditions and problems that can’t be cured, causing people to live every day with chronic pain.

Pain management is a broad term that describes a number of different techniques, medications, and therapies designed to ease and eliminate pain.

Alternative Pain Management Techniques

Pain medication may be the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the term “pain management” but it’s far from the best management option. In fact, many people consider it a poor option, as pain medication has been known to be highly addictive. Massage therapy, on the other hand, is non-invasive and has no negative side effects.

How Massage Therapy Helps to Alleviate Pain

• Increases serotonin levels. Serotonin is an important chemical that’s believed to help regulate everything from mood and behavior to appetite and sleep. If your body is lacking serotonin, it can affect your physical and mental health.
• Improves range of motion. Usually, if a part of your body hurts, you’re going to use it less or not at all. Over time, this causes muscles to stiffen and bones to weaken. After a few years of not using that part of your body, it may begin to hurt more than it did following your initial accident.
• Reduces anxiety. Emotional health plays a major role in your physical health. Studies show that people who are anxious or depressed (even those who have never experienced a serious physical injury) are more likely to get sick or feel pain. When your mental health is being cared for, so is your physical health.

At Unruh Spine Centers, we offer a variety of pain management options, including acupuncture, shockwave therapy, trigger point injections, and chiropractic adjustments — to name just a few. For more information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (661) 288-0022 or visit us on the web!