Many people are well aware that a good massage can work wonders on sore muscles and pain. However, it actually goes far beyond that. For many chiropractors that need to conduct adjustments to spines, it’s the key to unlocking a fully relaxed body. That’s why it’s not unusual for a licensed massage therapist to be part of staff members in a chiropractic medical clinic.
Massage therapy goes beyond helping prepare the body for spinal adjustment. Read on to learn about some health conditions that massage therapy is able to treat.
Arthritis
Joints that end up swelling due to a number of triggers—this is essentially the definition of arthritis. Needless to say, that’s not the only symptom of this condition. Other symptoms include fatigue, decreased range of motion, and feeling stiffness as well as pain in the joints. It’s typical for joints to feel like they’re on fire, especially during the initial stages.
Arthritis makes itself known first thing in the morning with soreness. On a scale of 1-10 in terms of pain, it can go anywhere from mild to incapacitating.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This condition is nowhere near subtle; it brings plenty of pain in the hands and on the fingers. It occurs when there’s pinching or compression of the median nerve, which is one of the hand’s main nerves. The trigger for carpal tunnel syndrome is generally repeated motions of the wrist and hand. Alternatively, it’s when the two are essentially in the same position for a long time. People who are on their computers for hours on end tend to develop this issue. However, there are also other causes, such as:
- A family history of having the disease
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy-triggered changes in hormones
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Common symptoms include pain all the way to the shoulder and forearm, having marked weakness in your hand, and all fingers save for the pinky being numb with tingles.
Sciatica
The body’s longest and biggest nerve is the sciatic nerve. It runs from the spinal cord’s lower end up to the joint of your knee. When this gets compressed at any point, there will be pain across your leg’s outer side, back, buttocks, and hips.
Tension Headaches
There are several types of headaches recognized by health professionals. One of the most common ones are tension headaches, which affect many adults sometimes on a daily basis. Sometimes, it’s also referred to as a ‘stress headache.’ This happens when the scalp and neck area’s muscles end up tightening considerably.
In terms of pain, tension headaches are on a rather slippery slope. It can range anywhere from rather mild all the way to moderate. Unfortunately, it can be exacerbated by a number of triggers: poor posture, not getting enough sleep, and, yes, stress.
What is possibly the worst part of all this lies in the duration; tension headaches can last for days on end.
Conclusion
Massage therapy is useful for stress relief. For chiropractors, massage therapy plays a huge role in keeping the body fully relaxed for a spinal adjustment. However, there are also several health conditions that getting a good massage therapy session can actually help to address. These include arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tension headaches.
Looking for a massage therapist in Edmonton or St. Albert? Set an appointment with Therapeutic Body Concepts today! We’re a massage and acupuncture clinic in Edmonton and in St. Albert.
