According to research conducted by the U.S. Pain Foundation in 2023, approximately. 21% of us citizens, or 51.6 million adults suffer from chronic pain. Of those, nearly 17.1 million people cannot work or participate in any daily chores due to high-impact chronic pain. While there are several treatment options available, therapeutic massage has shown significant results in relieving chronic pain.
Getting therapeutic massage therapy in Buffalo Grove for a specific time will help patients get relief from neck pain to back pain. In this blog, we will discuss how massage therapy will help you to reduce pain and how to tell if it’s right for you. Read on.
Understanding Therapeutic Massage
Nowadays, healthcare professionals recommend their patients treat injury, muscle pain, and stiffness. This complementary and alternative medicine is also beneficial for emotional and mental problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Professionals opt for this hands-on approach, which involves applying manipulation techniques and pressure to the soft body tissues such as tendons, muscles, and ligaments.
One of the key ways therapeutic massage in Buffalo Grove works is by improving blood circulation. When our muscles become knotted or tight, it leads to discomfort and pain. A skilled massage therapist uses techniques like kneading and pressure to release these tight areas to allow blood to flow freely, bring oxygen, and nutrients to tissues, and remove waste products from the body. This improved circulation which significantly reduce pain and promote healing.
Clinical and medical massage therapists offer different kinds of massage, which often vary in muscle group focus and pressure depending on the style. The most common and effective types of massage include:
Deep Tissue Massage
In this technique, massage therapists use firm pressure, slow strokes, skin rolling, and vibrations to target deep layers of tissue and muscles. This massage therapy is used to release tense and painful muscle knots, which are associated with stress, physical discomfort, and headaches. You may likely feel sore for a few days after the massage. There is nothing to worry about, and it will be best to communicate with your therapist to learn what to expect.
A deep tissue massage is an effective way to treat:
- High muscle tone
- Chronic pain
- Post injury
- Tight muscles
Myofascial Release Therapy
The fascia is a thin layer of connective tissue, also known as trigger point therapy, which covers most of the muscles in your body. In this therapy, the professionals search for the stiff spots in the fascia and apply gentle and long strokes to release trigger points and knots.
Keep in mind that fascia tissue protects the structures in the body and acts as a cushioning mechanism. However, such tissue hardens in the affected area after trauma or injury, which causes fascia tissues to lose their cushioning. This massage therapy is used to:
- Decrease pain
- Stretch large areas of fascia
- Improve range of movements.
Sweedish Massage Therapy
One of the most popular and effective massage therapies, which helps to relax the body and mind. This therapy involves a total body massage where the massage therapists work through different muscle groups slowly. This therapy also helps you to relieve mental stress, circulate blood flow, and reduce muscle pain and tension.
Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety. Professionals use common techniques to promote calmness and overall well-being. The following techniques are:
- Effleurage
- Kneading
- Frictions
- Tapotement
How Does Massage Relieve Pain?
Clinical massage therapy triggers various physiological changes in the body that help to reduce pain.
Close the Pain Gate
According to the gate control theory, your pain must pass through a few neurological gates in the periphery before reaching the brain. Medical massage therapy experts stimulate large nerve fibers to block the pain gates to alter perceptions of pain.
Relax Muscles
Massage therapists apply pressure to soft tissues to loosen tight muscles and reduce painful spasms and contractions. As pain subsides, flexibility and range of motion improve. This increased mobility can help patients enhance activity levels, potentially preventing future muscle soreness and stiffness.
Lower Inflammation
Massage effectively reduces pain and inflammation by decreasing inflammatory cytokines, similar to NSAIDs but without side effects. Research shows that even a brief 10-minute massage can significantly lower inflammation and provide natural relief for various conditions.
Increase Blood Flow
Therapeutic massage therapy enhances blood flow to congested areas and delivers oxygen and nutrients to muscles to improve the healing process. It also helps remove waste products that may cause pain, improving overall circulation and tissue health.
What You Can Expect from a Therapeutic Massage?
There are several advantages to receiving massage therapy for chronic pain, such as:
Relaxation
People with chronic pain experience relaxation from effective massage therapy on a regular basis.
Physical relaxation:
- Relieves restricted movement
- Relaxes and loosens tight, tense muscles
- Increases range of motion
- Decreases pain
Mental relaxation:
- Stimulates release of positive hormones (endorphins, serotonin, dopamine).
- These hormones reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
- They also increase relaxation, happiness, and motivation.
Chronic pain often decreases relaxation due to:
- Inability to carry out normal daily activities
- Restricted movement
- Constant feeling of pain
Increased relaxation through therapeutic massage therapy can help counteract these negative effects of chronic pain.
Increase the Range of Movement
Massage therapy can alleviate chronic pain by increasing the range of motion. It relaxes contracted muscles around damaged areas, which reduces tension and restriction. The friction created during massage improves blood flow, raising muscle temperature. This relaxes muscles, reduces tissue inelasticity, and allows full muscle stretching.
Relieve Tight Muscles
Massage relieves muscle tightness caused by chronic pain. Massage therapy is an effective solution for pain because it helps to increase blood flow, raise muscle temperature, and improve tissue elasticity. The process eases restriction, leading to less discomfort.
Reduce Stress
There is no doubt that chronic pain leads to increased anxiety and stress, which may further exacerbate the pain cycle. Therapeutic massage in Buffalo Grove offers a soothing experience that reduces stress levels and promotes overall well-being.
Relax, Rejuvenate, and Repeat!
We understand that it’s frustrating to struggle with chronic pain and are tired of letting it interfere with your life for years. But nothing to worry about; with proper care and treatment solutions, you can enjoy your life to the fullest. If you want to book our service, contact 847.961.4800 at Palm Leaf Massage and Wellness to select the time slot at your convenience.
At this therapeutic massage therapy clinic in Buffalo Grove, you will get a 60-minute “hands-on” session and excellent customer care service whenever you need it. Remember, a pain-free life is possible – and it starts with you making that call. Embrace the healing power of touch and start your journey to better health today!