| Is massage helpful when you have physical pain? | | | | be where you thought it would! |
| "I almost cannot speak of an aspect of medicine | | | | There is a wide variety of massage techniques, |
| where the application of massage therapy | | | | and you will find some more useful or beneficial |
| wouldn't apply. Massage effects...certainly are | | | | than others. The type of massage that will help |
| more profound than a visit to a doctor. You don't | | | | you the most depends on what your specific |
| sit around feeling better at the doctor's office!" - | | | | problem is. |
| Dr. Candace Pert, Psychoneuroimmunology | | | | For instance, for stress relief, a general all-over |
| researcher and pharmacologist | | | | relaxation professional massage will meet your |
| Well, I guess that answers the question pretty | | | | needs. |
| well! | | | | But, when you have pain, you may need a |
| Dr. Pert said she believed that if we all had a | | | | massage therapist trained in sports massage, |
| massage every week, we would have ninety | | | | neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, |
| percent fewer illnesses. That's a huge number! | | | | Rolfing or Hellerwork. This is not "feel-good" |
| Massage starts out affecting our skin surface and | | | | massage like a relaxation massage is, but you will |
| the soft structures below the skin, and as it | | | | feel better afterward. These types of massage |
| becomes deeper, contact is made with our | | | | are more like a "seek and destroy mission." |
| muscles. In fact, all of our soft tissues (everything | | | | A well-trained and skillful massage or muscle |
| that is not bone) are affected by massage. | | | | therapist will be able to "put their finger" on your |
| "Knots" and spasm can be worked out. A skilled | | | | problem. They will assess the cause of your pain |
| massage therapist will know where to work to | | | | and work with you to reduce or eliminate it. |
| release your areas of tightness...and it might not | | | | |