Massage Therapy for Pain Management
Pain is the most common reason for a person to visit a doctor.
Indeed, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has found that chronic pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined.
Patients have options to explore when managing pain, and massage therapy is one treatment option that is growing in popularity.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that employment in massage therapy practice will increase by 26% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Research supports what patients are already finding to be true – massage therapy either on its own or in conjunction with other pain management treatments brings effective relief.
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage is the manipulation of soft tissues in the body with the purpose of treating stress or pain.
Massage is generally considered part of complementary medicine and is usually offered alongside other treatments to help heal patients with a wide range of medical conditions.
Even the Mayo Clinic recommends that massage therapy be added to treatments to help people cope with the pain and stress of serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, stomach problems, and chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.
Massage therapy can help people cope with chronic pain, can improve their quality of sleep, and specifically, can alleviate pain associated with medical conditions like back pain and arthritis.
Low-Back Pain
Back pain is common across the country.
Especially for people who work in labor-intensive jobs or people who frequently have to lift heavy objects.
Researchers are studying the effects of massage, and some have found that massage therapy can help alleviate pain, reduce disability, and lower anxiety and depression in low-back pain sufferers.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disease from which many Americans suffer.
While the cause is unknown, the symptoms include severe whole-body chronic pain.
Studies indicate that adding massage therapy to a comprehensive treatment plan for those with fibromyalgia syndrome can help to reduce pain and improve quality of life by decreasing stiffness and fatigue.
Pain After Surgery
The healing and rehabilitative process can take time and many pain management treatments.
Pain after surgery can complicate recovery, lengthen hospital stays and interfere with a patient’s return to normal activities.
Helping to reduce pain and decrease the severity of pain as well as lessen anxiety following surgical procedures, massage therapy can be a helpful tool during recovery.
Arthritis
Many people develop arthritis with age, and coping with constant pain can be debilitating.
However, some research has found that one-hour sessions once a week for those with osteoarthritis of the knee significantly reduced their pain.
Generally, massage therapy can decrease pain and significantly improve range of motion.
Anxiety and Depression
After an injury, a patient may feel anxious about returning to work or caring for family.
Another common emotion after an injury can be depression.
While medications exist to help patients cope with this onset of feelings, massage therapy can help relieve anxiety and depression during recovery and beyond.
Does Injury Care Center Offer Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy can be a treatment option for many patients. Focusing on patient-centered care, we tailor individualized pain treatment plans to ensure that the best combination of our services are being provided to every patient.
Our specialized massage therapists bring the highest quality of care to patients interested in adding this pain relieving tool to their wellness plan.
