Massage therapists should be aware of the increasing number of people being affected by chronic pain, as integrative medicine, and massage therapy in particular, can be a valuable tool in treatment options. In fact, a combination of multiple treatment methods can be most effective in pain management.
There are a number of options to choose from when treating chronic pain. The non-invasive methods involve treatment using physical exercise, manual techniques, as well as the most common treatment method, pharmaceuticals. Pain relievers are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. The more invasive methods of treatment primarily include surgical injections.
Massage therapy is ideal for those suffering with chronic pain because it?s non-invasive and requires no drug treatment, and there are a variety of techniques a massage therapist can employ to the benefit of their clients.
Massage therapy?s role in pain management can be substantial. Fitting into the safest category with the best long-term outcome, massage is an excellent, non-invasive, non-drug, pain management, manual technique.
To learn more about taking an integrative approach to chronic pain management, and about how massage therapy plays a role in treatment, visit http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2006/08/effective_techn.html.
