Focus on massage!

For all the focusing we do on the qualities and conditions that can make life a bit harder for those who suffer from chronic pain, you’d think that spinal health and a healthy lifestyle were only about sparing you from pain. But that’d be one heck of a downer--luckily, there’s a lot more to what we do than that! In fact, even those who suffer from more severe cases of chronic pain can often find relief and experience great turnarounds via the care provided in chiropractic settings, and one of the major components of the treatment we provide (and one of our surefire ways of making patients feel great) is--you guessed it--massage. But how exactly does massage work to provide relief to sore or tense muscles?

Massages work by relieving the muscle spasms that contribute to aches and pains in the back. When a muscle is spasming, it receives less blood than it needs. Without enough blood, the muscle can’t get enough oxygen, and it produces extra lactic acid as a result. Lactic acid is the substance your muscles provide when they are stimulated by a workout, but too much will make the body feel sore following the exercise. So massages work on relaxing those muscles through direct hands-on manipulation, which lets the muscles release the lactic acid and start getting the blood and oxygen they need to feel healthy again.

Sounds good, right? Actually, it gets better: massage is considered one of the best treatments for back pain because it is totally non-invasive, requires no specialized equipment (besides a great massage therapist!) and doesn’t result in any need for a period of recovery. In fact, a 2005 Consumer Reports poll rated massage ahead of all conventional treatments for back pain, and cited the many powerful biological effects of something as simple as a quick session with some healing hands!

The secret weapon in massage therapy, however, may have nothing to do with its direct effect on our muscles. In fact, the powerful endorphins and “feel-good chemicals” it stimulates the body to release are arguably the most beneficial aspect of the whole process. Not only do these naturally-occurring chemicals provide a major boost in fighting chronic pain, they also act as everything from mood enhancers to natural antidepressants. It is hard to quantify just how much of the toll taken on chronic pain sufferers is mental, but it’s definitely a major portion (as anyone who suffers from chronic pain can attest to)! Relieving the anxiety that comes with back pain can speed recovery to an enormous degree.

Lastly, many folks look to massage as part of a longterm plan for a healthy lifestyle, and treat it the same way they would treat diet and exercise, taking advantage of its benefits whether or not they are suffering from chronic pain or experiencing a flare-up of spinal symptoms. In fact, according to the American Massage Therapy Association, an average of 25% of Americans have undergone some form of massage therapy in the last five years. In other words, word is out about the effectiveness of massage, and the treatment is only growing in popularity. Whether or not you deal with pain regularly, if you want to feel great, go ahead and give it a shot!