Pain Relief Management Therapy, Massage for Psychosomatic Painful Mind/Body Conditions – Santa Barbara

Pain Management Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta
Nicola is a Member of AMTA
Pain Management Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta @ Riktr PRO Massage
Massage Therapy for Pain Management
Massage Therapy for Pain Management

Why You Should Turn to Massage Therapy for Pain Management

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. You might be wondering how to treat your pain, and massage therapy is one option that is showing promise.

Research continues to support the health benefits of massage therapy for pain management. Find out how massage therapy can help these five painful conditions.

1. Low-back Pain – Back pain is a common neurological ailment in the U.S. Research shows that massage therapy can help decrease pain, reduce disability, and lower anxiety/depression in low-back pain sufferers.

2. Fibromyalgia – Studies indicate massage therapy can be a beneficial part of an integrative treatment plan for those with fibromyalgia syndrome by reducing pain, improving quality of life, and decreasing anxiety, stiffness, fatigue, and more.

3. Postoperative Pain – Post-operative pain can complicate recovery, lengthen hospital stays and interfere with a patient’s return to activities. Recent research indicates massage therapy can be effective for reducing pain intensity/severity and anxiety in patients undergoing surgical procedures.

4. Tension Headaches – According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, tension-type headache is the most common type of headache. Research has shown massage therapy can decrease perceived pain, frequency, duration, and intensity for those dealing with tension headaches.

5. Arthritis – Research indicates that sixty-minute sessions of Swedish massage once a week for those with osteoarthritis of the knee significantly reduced their pain. In addition, research shows that massage therapy can decrease pain and significantly impact some rheumatoid arthritis patient’s ability to control the mobility of their limbs.

Pain Management Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta
Pain Management Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta

New Research Analysis Indicates Massage Therapy Strongly Recommended for Pain Management

Based on the evidence, massage therapy can provide significant improvement for pain, anxiety, and health-related quality of life for those looking to manage their pain.

This is the conclusion of a collaborative meta-analysis of research on massage therapy for pain conducted by the Samueli Institute and commissioned by the Massage Therapy Foundation, with support from the American Massage Therapy Association. The first part of the three-part review and analysis has been published online by the journal Pain Medicine.

Pain is a major public health concern, affecting approximately 100 million Americans.1 It is currently recognized as the most compelling reason for an individual to seek medical attention and accounts for approximately 80 percent of physician visits.2,3

Not only are individuals affected, but also their families, the national economy, and health systems. It is estimated that chronic pain accounts for approximately $600 billion in annual health care expenditures and lost productivity.3,4 This annual cost is greater than the cost of other national priority health conditions, highlighting the significant economic burden of pain.


Research Supports Massage Therapy for Pain Management

Based on the evidence, massage therapy, compared to no treatment, should be strongly recommended as a pain management option. Massage therapy is conditionally recommended for reducing pain, compared to other sham or active comparators, and improving mood and health-related quality of life, compared to other active comparators.5

Pain is multi-dimensional and may be better addressed through an integrative approach. Massage therapy is commonly used among people seeking pain management and research has generally supported its use. But, until now there has been no published, rigorous review of the available research and evidence for its efficacy for people with various types of pain.

The Impact of Massage Therapy on Function in Pain Populations—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Part I, Patients Experiencing Pain in the General Population

Purpose

Pain is multi-dimensional and may be better addressed through a holistic, biopsychosocial approach. Massage therapy is commonly practiced among patients seeking pain management; however, its efficacy is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to rigorously assess the quality of massage therapy research and evidence for its efficacy in treating pain, function-related, and health-related quality of life outcomes across all pain populations. Methods

Key databases were searched from inception through February 2014. Eligible randomized controlled trials were assessed for methodological quality using the SIGN 50 Checklist. Meta-analysis was applied at the outcome level. A diverse steering committee interpreted the results to develop recommendations. Results

Sixty high-quality and seven low-quality studies were included in the review. Results demonstrate massage therapy effectively treats pain compared to sham [standardized mean difference (SMD) = −.44], no treatment (SMD = −1.14), and active (SMD = −0.26) comparators. Compared to active comparators, massage therapy was also beneficial for treating anxiety (SMD = −0.57) and health-related quality of life (SMD = 0.14).Conclusion

Based on the evidence, massage therapy, compared to no treatment, should be strongly recommended as a pain management option. Massage therapy is weakly recommended for reducing pain, compared to other sham or active comparators, and improving mood and health-related quality of life, compared to other active comparators. Massage therapy safety, research challenges, how to address identified research gaps, and necessary next steps for implementing massage therapy as a viable pain management option are discussed.

Pain Management Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta
Pain Management Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta

Therapeutic massage for pain relief

Massage used to be considered an indulgence, but it’s now recognized as a legitimate therapy for some painful conditions.

Published: July 2016

Therapeutic 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.

Therapeutic massage is an active area of research. In particular, it has been studied for its effect on pain in the back, hands, neck, and knees, among other areas. A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice showed a reduction in hand pain and an improvement in grip strength among people who had four weekly hand massage sessions and did self-massage at home. They also slept better and had less anxiety and depression than people in the control group who didn’t receive the hand massages.

A study published in Annals of Family Medicine in 2014 found that 60-minute therapeutic massage sessions two or three times a week for four weeks relieved chronic neck pain better than no massage or fewer or shorter massage sessions.

Massage therapy can involve varying degrees of pressure. Some people find certain forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage, to be painful. Massage doesn’t have to be painful to be therapeutic, so be sure to tell your therapist the type of touch you prefer (light touch, firm pressure, hard pressure). Lighter may be more relaxing and therefore more beneficial, depending on your situation. People with certain pain conditions such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome may only be able to tolerate light pressure.

There are no data to suggest that massage is harmful, but there are some specific situations where it is not recommended: massaging an inflamed area of skin, for example, can make it worse by causing irritation. One should not have a massage in an area of infection, as it might spread the infection. The American Massage Therapy Association lists heart problems, infectious disease, phlebitis, and some skin conditions as reasons to avoid massage. Choose a licensed therapist; your PT may be able to make a recommendation.

Chronic Pain Relief with Alternative Pain Management

While some view massage therapy simply as a luxurious form of relaxation, others find it to be a crucial form of chronic pain relief. Texas Pain Relief Group is pleased to offer massage therapy as an alternative pain management option at our Dallas-Fort Worth area treatment centers.

Many do not realize that a massage is an ideal method of alternative pain management, especially when compared to taking strong prescription painkillers that could have serious side effects. Massage and spinal cord stimulation used for therapeutic purposes both offer numerous benefits, including:

What is Alternative Pain Management?

Alternative pain management can be defined as a medical treatment, therapy, or intervention that exists outside the realm of conventional medical practices. Some popular examples of alternative therapies and non-pharmacological treatments include:

  • Improved Blood Circulation: Patients with poor blood circulation can suffer from chronically cold hands and feet, general aches and pains, and persistent fatigue due to lactic acid that accumulates in the muscles. During a massage, the pressure exerted by the therapist breaks through the build-up of lactic acid and improve blood flow throughout the body, resulting in reduced pain and heightened comfort
  • Joint Pain Management: Arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other types of chronic medical conditions can cause painful swelling of the joints. Regular massage therapy for pain relief helps to reduce muscle spasms caused by joint pain. Additionally, it assists in improving the body’s natural ability to produce endorphins, which assist in the body’s natural process of reducing pain.
  • Lowered Blood Pressure: A number of factors can cause high blood pressure, including obesity, a health condition, and a stressful environment. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, trigger point massage therapy can significantly decrease heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, and systolic blood pressure.
  • Muscle Pain Relief: Spinal cord stimulation and other types of deep massage help to work the tension out of sore muscles. The pressure causes the muscles to relax, which may prevent the recurrence of muscle pain and tension in the future. Patients with chronic lower back pain, neck and shoulder tension, and knee pain can benefit from regular massage.
  • Stress Reduction: Many patients carry the tension that is caused by stress within their upper back and neck. Because massage promotes relaxation, it is an excellent technique to reduce ongoing patient stress. Regular massage therapy allows people to feel calmer and respond better to the stress in their lives without tension or chronic pain. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle, massage therapy is an excellent form of stress management, allowing patients to reduce the long-term effects of daily stress.

What is a Psychosomatic Disorder?

psychosomatic disorder is a disease that involves both mind and body. Some physical diseases are thought to be particularly prone to be made worse by mental factors such as stress and anxiety. Your mental state can affect how bad a physical disease is at any given time.

Are massages good for mental health?
 
 
Massage Therapy for Mental Health. A growing body of research supports the positive impact of massage therapy on relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. (of a physical illness or other condition) caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress. Also called Psychophysiologic Disorder, a condition in which psychological stresses adversely affect physiological (somatic) functioning to the point of distress. Although researchers don’t know exactly why massage therapy has such marked benefits for depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders, it’s believed that it reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and increases serotonin and oxytocin levels. Psychological relaxation can be achieved through the stimulation of relaxing hormones and endorphins such as serotonin and dopamine. The production of such endorphins enables the individual to feel calm, relaxed, and peaceful. Massage can stimulate an increase in energy. Massage Therapy for Mental Health. 
 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._Sarno

What is an example of a psychosomatic disease?
 
Psychosomatic disorders resulting from stress may include hypertension, respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal disturbances, migraine and tension headaches, pelvic pain, impotence, frigidity, dermatitis, and ulcers.
 
Is psychosomatic pain real?
 
Psychosomatic pain: “A combination of symptoms of physical pain in various body areas that occur during any life period, where treatment is sought for the pain by going to many health clinics, and resulting in disruption of social and/or occupational activities” [1, 2, 3]. “Soma” means the body.
 
Can psychosomatic illness be cured?
 
Physical diseases caused by mental factors can be treated either through medication or surgeries, but the complete cure from this condition can be achieved only when the cause for the generation of the mental stress is identified.
 
Can your mind create physical symptoms?
 
So if you’re experiencing unexplained aches and pains, it might be linked to your mental health. According to Carla Manley, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, and author, people with mental illnesses can experience a range of physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, pain, headaches, insomnia, and feelings of restlessness.
 
Is depression a psychosomatic illness?
 
A psychosomatic illness originates from or is aggravated by emotional stress and manifests in the body as physical pain and other symptoms. Depression can also contribute to psychosomatic illness, especially when the body’s immune system has been weakened by severe and/or chronic stress.
 
Can your mind make you sick?
 
But the fact is, worrying can affect the body in ways that may surprise you. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to feelings of high anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill.
 
Is Fibromyalgia a psychosomatic disorder?
 
Fibromyalgia is a persistent somatoform pain disorder

The absence of a defined pathology and the association of FM symptoms with psychosocial stress prompted some specialists in psychosomatic medicine to use the diagnostic label “persistent somatoform pain disorder”
 
How do you get rid of psychosomatic disorders?
 
Treatment of Psychosomatic Disorders

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is often the treatment of choice for a psychosomatic disorder. This therapy helps patients learn new ways to cope with and solve their problems as they gain a deeper understanding of their condition or circumstances.
 
What is psychosomatic healing?
 
Psychosomatic therapy works by tapping into mind-body communication. By focusing on this connection, a therapist can help one work toward physical and emotional healing. It can then be possible to heal the mind through the body and heal the body by way of the mind.
 
Can your brain make you feel the pain that isn’t there?
 
But unfortunately, just like pain can make you feel worse mentally, your mind can cause pain without a physical source, or make preexisting pain increase or linger. This phenomenon is called psychogenic pain, and it occurs when your pain is related to underlying psychological, emotional, or behavioral factors.
 
How do you get rid of somatic anxiety?
 
Self-help ways to soothe your symptoms of somatic anxiety…
  1. Breathe. Catching your breath and slowing down your breathing is the first step to taking back control of your body. …
  2. Calm your senses. …
  3. Relax your muscles. …
  4. Try a ‘butterfly hug’ …
  5. Go for a vigorous walk.
What are somatic symptoms of anxiety?
 
It is the most frequent anxiety disorder seen in primary care, where 22% of patients complain of anxiety problems. DSM-IV lists 6 somatic symptoms associated with GAD: restlessness, increased fatigability, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
 
Can anxiety manifest physical symptoms?
 
When you are under stress or anxious, this system kicks into action, and physical symptoms can appear — headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, shakiness, or stomach pain.
 
When is anxiety considered a psychological disorder?
 
If you’re feeling that your anxiety is disrupting your normal habits and activities, or that it clouds your happiness, then you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are severe conditions stemming from excessive worrying and rumination.
 
Can the mind trick the body?
 
According to psychiatrist Tony Sutherland, it can. “The manifestation of an actual physical symptom that could be the direct result of either psychological trauma or disturbance is known as a psychosomatic disorder,” Sutherland says.
 
How do I stop worrying about everything?
 
  1. Set aside a designated “worry time.” …
  2. Kick your online addiction. …
  3. Be mindful. …
  4. Accept the worry — and then move on. …
  5. Write your worries down. …
  6. Cut yourself some slack. …
  7. Keep your hands busy. …
  8. Make time for meditation.
How do I get rid of physical anxiety?
 
Self-Care For Anxiety:
  1. Be physically active, if you’re able. Exercise can help reduce stress and improve physical health. …
  2. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Any of these can make anxiety worse.
  3. Try relaxation techniques. …
  4. Prioritize sleep.
Is anxiety psychosomatic?
 
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines psychosomatic as: of, relating to, involving, or concerned with bodily symptoms caused by mental or emotional disturbance. Some physical diseases are thought to be particularly prone to be made worse by mental factors such as stress and anxiety.
 
Is asthma a psychosomatic disease?

They pass through the central nervous system, cause disorders in the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system, and affect the onset and process of asthma.
 
Is Crohn’s disease psychosomatic?
 
While these illnesses have largely overcome psychogenic theories, other physiological illnesses still face similar stigmas: Inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease, stomach ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) still carry psychosomatic overtones—usually stress-related…
 
What is the psychosomatic test?
 
A study of certain distinctive personality and somatic characteristics. peculiar to psychosomatic behavior.
 
 
more info at:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3091428/

https://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/holistic-medicine-25/mis-alternative-medicine-news-19/massage-for-pain-relief-645793.html

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1950.tb01099.x

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosomatic_medicine

Therapeutic Swedish Massage, Sports Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
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