08/26/2025
Chronic Pain & Massage Therapy
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for longer than 3 months. It can be caused by a long list of different things: overuse injuries, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, whiplash, neuropathy, etc. Often times the cause is unknown, which can lead to feeling frustrated and hopeless, especially if your doctor says everything looks fine.
I experienced chronic pain every day for 5 years before a sports medicine doctor noticed this cyst in my ankle bone in 2023. For 5 years I couldn't fully enjoy anything I did because my ankle hurt, and I couldn't sleep for more than 4 hours at a time because that's how long Tylenol would give me enough relief to sleep. I had sought help from 5 other doctors who all said my ankle looked perfectly normal and sent me on my way. I sympathize with clients who suffer from chronic pain because I know how significantly it can reduce one's quality of life, motivation, and even lead to feeling hatred towards the affected body part.
Massage therapy can be an invaluable resource for those affected by chronic pain, whatever it may be caused by. Here's why:
•It interrupts the flow of pain signals with new soothing input. Even temporary remission from otherwise constant discomfort is a relief.
•The muscles surrounding a painful area can become chronically contracted ("tight") as a defense mechanism. Your body does this to protect the area from further injury, but if it persists it can lead to additional pain. Massage can reduce tension in the muscles surrounding the painful spot and ease associated pain.
•Massage feels good. When someone's body feels painful every day, it's not uncommon to feel a sense of resentment towards it. Receiving the positive sensations of massage is extremely helpful because it provides the person with an experience of enjoyment with their body, which can help combat feelings of resent and hopelessness.
•Massage can facilitate healing of many causes of chronic pain. With consistency and a skilled therapist, it can give permanent pain relief in cases of tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, headaches/migraines, sciatica, etc.
Learn more about what I do at: wellnessmassagellc.com
