Can massage help relieve pain?
When a toddler falls his mother will instinctively rub the sore spot to make it better. Likewise, an office worker with stiff shoulders will probably try to knead them. Because from an early age we have learnt the touch of a hand will ease pain.
There are two type of pain:
- Acute
- Chronic
Acute pain can be mild and last just a moment, or it might be severe and last for weeks or months. Chronic pain is pain that is ongoing and usually lasts longer than six months. In addition to chronic pains extended duration it is often more life limiting and hence may have an emotional effect such as depression, anger, anxiety, and fear of re-injury. Such a fear might limit a person’s ability to return to their regular work or leisure activities.
Deep Tissue or Sports massage may relieve pain by way of several mechanisms, including relaxing painful muscles, tendons, and joints; relieving stress and anxiety; and possibly helping to “close the pain gate” by stimulating competing nerve fibers and impeding pain messages to and from the brain.
