Hello again blog fans!!
Today I would like to talk a bit about chronic pain. You can see my other blog about the mind body connection here, so I don't want to bore you with all the details on that. However, I would like to discuss a few statements I hear way too often.
First, "I have tried everything, nothing works, and I am still in pain". OK, everything? Have you really tried everything?? Before you answer that, I would like to say something. Of course, I am going to say something about massage here. It is what I know, and I know it works! There are a lot, a lot, a lot, of different types of massage. One problem with massage therapy is that the treatment you get from each therapist will be different. Unfortunately, there is not enough consistency in education, and training in our field. Am I stating that I am the best, most talented, massage therapist out there and that I have no flaws??? YES!! No just kidding, what I am saying is that if you have tried massage to treat your chronic pain, and you have gone once, to one therapist, then you have indeed NOT tried massage to treat your pain.
There are two things wrong with that. First, chronic pain can not be treated in ONE SESSION!! As much as we would LOVE to be, we are NOT miracle workers!!! You and your therapist need to come up with a treatment plan for your condition. Ask them how many visits they should see you for, work out a plan. Once is not enough! Second, as I said before, we all do massage differently. One therapist may not work for you, while another might! Just like going to a Chinese restaurant and trying the egg drop soup. Some people like that gooey egg drop soup that to me looks like something that came out of your nose. I prefer the kind that has more stuff in it and actually looks like soup. So, While you may go to the Chinese restaurant on the corner that sells the other soup, I will go to the one I like, where the soup is the way I prefer. Neither restaurant is bad, It is just a preference. The restaurant on the corner doesn't work for me. Same goes for massage. If you tried it once and it didn't work, try somewhere else! Don't give up on massage as a viable treatment option.
Now, "I have tried massage, and it would help for a little bit, but my symptoms would just come back." Right! go and read my blog about the mind body connection, but also listen here. Even if there is no trauma in your past leading to your chronic pain, (which I doubt is the truth), sometimes just being in pain for a long period of time can be mentally draining. It sucks (in my professional-ist voice possible) to be in pain, to not be able to do the things you love because it hurts too much. It brings you down when you can't exercise, and you have gained weight because you simply can't do anything, because you hurt too much and if you try to exercise you hurt worse, which makes you want to just sit down on the couch and eat an entire bag of potato chips and cry. If this sounds familiar, massage alone may not help! You may need to work on your mental state a bit too!!! There is NO SHAME IN IT!!!! NONE!! You are lying to yourself if you think you can handle this on your own, that it is your fault, and that you just need more willpower. Being in pain is not something you may be able to handle on your own. In this case, you need to ask for help. See a counselor!! Massage will work better if you can work on your stress, depression, and all of that muck roaming around in your brain!! Trust me! I have seen it work! Same applies here too, if one therapist doesn't get you, if you feel they aren't working out for you, or there egg drop soup is gooey, find a different one!!! We all work under different theory, so one may not be for you, while another might, and again, we can't unfortunately solve your problems overnight!
Also, there are a multitude of treatment options for chronic pain. Reiki has been evidenced to help with pain, acupuncture, and yes, even medications, physical therapy, and yoga! All of these help with pain. I know it is hard to take that first step, I know you are probably sick to death of appointments, and trying to figure out what to do. However, if you haven't tried these options, keep trying! There's more out there than your run-of-the-mill treatments.
So, I hope I have given you a fresh look into your treatment options, if I haven't, tell me about it. I would love to hear your story. :) I would be happy to consult on your care if needed. Just call, or message me!
Don't forget to smile!! :)
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