What Is the Best Massage Therapy for Pain?

Chronic pain is one of the most well-studied medical conditions today. That is due, in part, to the high prevalence of pain disorders. Nearly 1 in 5 US adults suffer from chronic pain.

Researchers are also interested in pain because of the medications used to treat it. Opioids are the best treatment for pain symptoms. But these drugs are incredibly addictive and can even be deadly.

Luckily, there are alternatives to opioids that are effective for pain. One of the top options is massage. The best massage therapy treatments are effective for everything from muscle spasms to lower back pain.

Are you considering a massage for your chronic pain symptoms? If so, you need to read this guide. Below, we discuss the conditions this treatment can help with and the types of massage to consider for your unique needs.

Do Massages Help With Pain?

Yes, massages can help with many different types of pain. A recent poll found that 92% of people who regularly receive massages believe that they effectively reduce pain symptoms.

Research studies back up this anecdotal evidence. For example, difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of chronic pain. In a recent clinical study, shiatsu massage effectively treated this symptom in young people.

But chronic pain is not the only type of pain massage can help address. Another study looked at patients experiencing acute (i.e., temporary) pain from surgery and other procedures.

These individuals also saw positive effects from massage. They reported significantly lower pain levels after receiving one or more massage therapy sessions.

Additionally, they experienced relief from symptoms of their chronic pain conditions. These symptoms included the inability to relax, sleeplessness, and poor emotional well-being. 

How Does Massage Work for Pain?

Scientists are not 100% sure how massage therapy benefits pain, but they do have some theories. One of them is that massage can prevent pain signals from reaching the brain.

There are two different types of pain: nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain comes from actual tissue damage due to injuries. Neuropathic pain comes from damage to nerves.

Chronic pain is most commonly neuropathic in nature. If this theory about how massage works is true, it could explain why so many people with chronic pain benefit from massage therapy.

But massage may also have implications for chronic nociceptive pain. That is because massage therapy increases blood circulation. Improved circulation means more oxygen gets delivered around your body.

Oxygen is critical for wound healing. If you receive an injury, increasing circulation can help you heal faster. Otherwise, the injury may not heal properly, leading to chronic pain.

Which Pain Conditions Can Benefit from Massage Therapy?

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, the following types of pain can benefit from massage therapy:

• Pain from overuse injuries
• Pain from specific diseases, including lupus and muscular dystrophy
• Pain from poor posture, including upper and lower back pain and neck pain
• Pain from acute injuries (e.g., falls, car accidents, sports injuries, etc.)
• Pain from sciatica

Massage therapy can also help with daily aches and pains. For example, you injure a muscle in your hand or arm while bringing in groceries. Or maybe you are injured during a routine workout.

Can Massage Therapy Cause More Pain?

Massage therapy may cause pain in some situations, though pain is not usually a side effect of this technique. You should avoid getting a massage when your skin is inflamed, on infected tissues, or if you have certain heart problems.

Additionally, certain types of massages can be painful for some people. For example, many people report pain after getting a deep tissue massage (more on these in a moment).

More intense massage therapy sessions do not always mean better results. If you are worried about experiencing pain from your treatment, talk to your massage therapist about using gentle and effective techniques.

What Type of Massage Is Best for Pain?

Swedish massages, deep tissue massages, and hot stone massages are some of the best techniques for pain. They can work for chronic and acute pain, as well as neuropathic and nociceptive pain.

At Faces Spa, we offer all three of these relaxing and pain-relieving massage therapies. Read on to learn what to expect from each of them.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the most well-known form of massage. The massage therapist applies pressure to painful areas. They use circular kneading and stroking motions.

This type of massage is best for muscle tension. It can improve blood flow throughout the body and relax your central nervous system. Both of these effects can benefit the two types of chronic pain.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massages are similar to Swedish massages, but they apply more pressure. This technique gets deep into connective tissues. Deep tissue massages can also alleviate more severe muscle tension.

People who have chronic pain from recent or old injuries can benefit greatly from this type of massage. Those with muscle spasms, muscle tension, and chronic neuropathic muscle pain can also find relief from deep tissue massage.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage combines Swedish massage with, you guessed it, hot stones. The massage therapist places hot stones on tight or painful areas of your body. Then, they apply pressure to these areas with their hands.

This type of massage has multiple benefits. Heat is known to improve blood flow to the areas of the body where it is applied. It can also help relax stiff joints in conditions like arthritis and tension headaches.

Are You Searching for the Best Massage Therapy in Omaha, NE?

There is a growing body of evidence showing just how great massage is for acute and chronic pain. If you suffer from pain, talk to your doctor about how massage can help with your symptoms.

Looking for the ‘best massage therapy near me’? Book an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 384-8400 to benefit from some of these amazing results.