How does massage help those in pain?

One of the most common reasons for booking a massage is pain relief, whether its

  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Lower back pain

As a massage therapist to assist clients who are in pain, I reach into my tool kit which includes relieving tension, relaxing muscles and rebalancing your nervous system.  Many clients come back to me because in the past I have assisted them with their pain particularly neck, shoulder or lower back pain.  However it has always been unclear exactly how massage helps clients who are in pain.  

Research has shown that massage works on our pain modulation system as well! Pain modulation refers to the process by which the body alters a pain signal as it is transmitted along the pain pathway – this is why some people might find something painful while others might not.   Massage’s role in pain modulation is not totally agreed upon – some studies have proposed that it’s associated with the way it raises our serotonin and dopamine levels. Others have stated that it’s related to increases in plasma oxytocin and statistical decreases in β-endorphin.

Related Posts

  • Is deep pressure in a massage ever bad?

    One of the first things you learn as a massage therapist is that everyone wants deep pressure in massage.  This is because no one wants a light fluffy massage because they feel there will be no benefit and they have wasted both their time and money. The second thing you learn as a massage is that everyone has their own idea what deep pressure is and what would be light pressure for one person is deep pressure for another person.  Even if you take one client, the pressure they consider deep on their tight shoulders will be different from their idea of deep pressure on their legs.   So there is no fixed concept of what deep pressure is, it varies from client to client, and with the same client it varies treatment to treatment and depending up on the part of their body your are treating. Given all this how do we work out pressure in clinic.  First, we base it on our experience, your body type, the tension in the muscle we are working on.  But most of all we talk to you about how the pressure feels to you and respect your preferences for pressure. I am sure most of you have heard me talk about good pain.  Its based on a phenomenon that I have seen in clinic over the years.  This is where someone comes into clinic in pain, we apply pressure and the pain turns into a good pain – because the pressure is a source of relief.  For some people this “good pain” just feels right.  This good pain is strong but welcome and came sometimes be described as a “sweet ache”.  For some clients the good pain, is such a welcome relief that pain doesn’t even seem the right word. A word of warning, I like all my other therapists are only human and sometimes we get it wrong.  This can be if we have missed a trigger point that is very sensitive, and we go into deep or the opposite can happen where a muscle locks up and we apply pressure and you as the client can’t feel anything.  These situations can also arise due to change with your body i.e. an intense gym session or longer work hours than usual so lots of extra time sitting at your desk. I try to ask all my clients regularly without sounding like its some automated message, do you want the pressure deeper or lighter and if so let me know.  I know the other therapists in clinic do this as well. In clinic we always want you to get the most out of your treatment.  So please remember we always welcome feedback on pressure throughout your treatment.

  • What is the difference between sports and deep tissue massage?

    Deep tissue is a very descriptive name and is self-explanatory.  The confusion comes when it is compared to sports massage.  The big difference is the focus. Sports massage is dedicated to

    • improving sports performance
    • prevention of and treating sports injuries
    The reasons for booking a sports massage are:
    • You work out religiously, but aren't as relgious about stretching
    • You cycle or run to work and don't think to stretch
    • You play sports but don't cross train so have specific trouble spots
    • Your performance (in a particular sport) has dropped
    • You have a history of injuries and want to reduce the likely hood of further injuries
    Deep Tissue massage is a problem solving massage for everyone. The reasons for booking a deep tissue massage are:
    • You work at a computer all day and your neck, shoulders & back are chronically sore
    • You are so tense your back feels like concrete
    • You have tired achy legs
    • You are in pain
    • You are stiff (or are unable to move your neck/arm/leg freely)
    • You are stressed or anxious
    • You have a knot or a muscle spasm
    To book a treatment click here.  

  • Myofascia – part 2

    Last week I explained what myofascia is and how it can become restricted from, for example, poor posture. How to identify Myofascial Restrictions? It is important to acknowledge that it is difficult to diagnose myofascial restrictions as they do not show up on standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography etc). Massage therapists utilise their palpation skills to find myofascial restrictions. For example fascial drag, this is a very light press & slow technique to allow the therapist to feel the restrictions in the fascia. Who treats Myofascial Restrictions?

    1. Myofascial Release – Originated in the 1940’s. It is a specialised physical and manual therapy used for the effective treatment and rehabilitation of soft tissue and fascial tension and restrictions. John Barns a physical therapist based in the US is one of today’s leading lights in the world of myofascial release.
    2. Rolfing – Dr Ida Rolf, started working with client in the 1930’s and by the 1950’s was teaching her work under the name of Rolfing .   A physical therapy which aims to release stress patterns from the body.   It is normally to require a series of treatment often up to 10.
    3. Massage – massage therapists utilise direct and indirect technique to address Myofascial restrictions.
    With indirect Myofascial techniques you apply pressure and wait of the fascial to release, when you meet restriction you stretch the fascia. With direct Myofascial techniques you drag the fascia to create a Chinese burn sensation.   Hence why in clinic I often rely on the gentler indirect Myofascial techniques even when I know my clients prefer deep pressure.