Massage Techniques for Chronic Pain

Therapeutic Massage:
This has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years and started in the Chinese, East Indian and Thai cultures as far as we can find in research. There are Hawaiian, Swedish, and other types of massage as well that are valuable for different issues. Today I want to talk about the types of massage I feel are more valuable for acute and chronic pain. These are my opinions only from my experience both as a practicing massage therapist for four years and as a chronic pain patient for the last eight years.
NMT- Neuromuscular Therapy is at type of massage that incorporates the use of finding trigger points for muscles that are either knotted or tight. The practitioner puts pressure on these points causing them to release. When this takes place the tense, tight muscles relax as well. This can take pressure and compression away from a nerve, releasing it. I have seen real results with this technique for sciatic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome and other issues.

Acupressure Massage-This type of massage works with the Chinese acupuncture points and instead of putting needles into the points, places pressure on the points for a number of seconds until you feel a release of the points and pressure. This in the Chinese tradition releases Qi or the life giving energy and allows the body to heal itself. This type of massage is very beneficial to relieving pain and it also gives the person a feeling of well being and energizes them as well.


Deep Tissue Massage- This type of massage concentrates on working on deep tissues and releasing any strictures that exists in the muscles. They also work on scar tissue and fibrous tissues that can cause friction or restricted motion between the muscles, tendons and joints.

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All three of these types of therapy can be very beneficial for anyone who is experiencing acute or chronic back pain, neck, shoulder, or leg pain. It can be used for other problems as well.