Whether you’re feeling a headache or other relatively minor pain coming on, or you suffer from chronic pain, you’ve more than likely considered just popping some over-the-counter medication as a quick fix; something to either eradicate the pain or at least take the edge off. But what if there was a better option?
Massage therapy isn’t just some luxury you spoil yourself with on a special occasion, but is in fact a scientifically backed form of healthcare. Studies are showing more and more how massage impacts pain, and that it may actually be more effective than those over-the-counter medications. There’s a few parts to this idea…
First, there might be more side effects to some of those medications than previously thought. Two of the most common types of over-the-counter pain medications are Acetaminophen and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Aspirin and Ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can lead to numerous liver issues, and NSAIDS, especially when used long-term, are known to cause stomach, liver, and kidney issues and have even been linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Secondly, massage releases endorphins which act kind of like your own natural opioids, relaxing the nervous system, calming the mind and body, and relieving pain. Candace Pert, who discovered endorphins back in the 70s, stated in a 2004 article of American Spa, "From my research with endorphins, I know the power of touch to stimulate and regulate our natural chemicals, the ones that are tailored to act at precisely the right times in exactly the appropriate dosages to maximize our feelings of health and well-being."
Thirdly, massage can help to address the reason behind the pain, not just the pain itself. You see, pain is a symptom that something is wrong. It’s a way for your body to communicate that you need to correct something – your posture, a movement pattern, sleep, etc. Pain itself is not really the problem, but rather just a sign of something else going wrong. So why only address the symptom, when you can fix the problem causing that symptom? That’s what massage can do. Whether your pain is due to muscular tension from stress, fascial restrictions leaving you unable to move as freely as you should, or an injury that needs to heal, massage can help.
So before you pop a few painkillers next time you feel that pain rearing its ugly head again, book your appointment here at Finding Balance and let’s find you some pain relief without the side effects.