Massage Therapy in Grayson
When you think about getting treatment for neck or back pain, or other musculoskeletal issues, massage therapy may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Although many people like getting a massage, they don’t necessarily consider it part of a treatment plan for their pain. Yet massage therapy is effective for improving low back pain as well as reducing neck pain and restoring some neck function. Combined with other natural treatments like chiropractic care, it can be even more effective at addressing your pain and other symptoms.
At Optimum Health Rehab, our massage therapists are skilled in multiple disciplines, and we don’t rely on guessing what kind would be best for you. As with other forms of treatment, we start with a thorough medical history, imaging studies, and other tests to properly diagnose the problem and a targeted treatment plan specific to your needs. Often this plan includes massage therapy for its many benefits, especially for those experiencing pain.
Why Do Patients Seek Massage Therapy for Pain?
There are many ways to treat pain. If you’ve been struggling with back, neck, or joint pain for a while, you’re probably familiar with most of them:
- Over-the-counter medications. There are two kinds, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. NSAIDs are good for short-term pain, but taking them long-term can lead to serious side effects like excessive bleeding, ulcers, and other gastrointestinal problems. Daily use of the maximum safe dose of acetaminophen for an extended period of time could lead to liver damage.
- Corticosteroid injections. These are prescribed by a doctor and are usually injected directly into the affected joint or area. They are highly effective at providing fast pain relief, but like over-the-counter remedies, you can’t keep using them. Corticosteroids carry serious risks like bone thinning, bone loss, infection, cartilage damage, and even an increase in blood sugar (which is concerning if you’re diabetic). For this reason, most doctors won’t give corticosteroid injections more than once or twice a year, and the pain-relieving effects may only last a few weeks or months.
- Anticonvulsants and antidepressants. Neither of these categories of drugs is the first to come to mind when we think about pain relief, but both have been found to be effective at treating some kinds of chronic pain. Because they work on the nervous system, it’s thought that these drugs act by interfering with pain signals. But as you might have guessed, drugs in these classes also have potentially serious side effects. Antidepressants can cause serious mood changes or mood swings, nausea, dry mouth, weight gain, and sexual side effects (to name a few). Anticonvulsants can cause nausea, double vision, loss of coordination, and liver damage.
- Opioids. Most people now know that opioids have the potential to be addictive if used for a prolonged period of time. As a result, many doctors have cut back on how often they prescribe these strong painkillers, especially for chronic pain. They are not a long-term solution, and even if you take small amounts for a short period of time, you may have side effects like pronounced drowsiness and nausea that can make it hard to function.
- Surgery. Depending on your diagnosis, it’s possible your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the issue that’s causing your pain. Sometimes surgery can be effective, but not always. Every surgery has risks, and not everyone feels better after an operation.
Many people come to us after trying one or more of the treatment options listed above. They may have had to stop taking medication because the side effects became unbearable, or they could have been too concerned about side effects to try the stronger prescription medications. Additionally, some patients have been told they need surgery, but they have concerns about the risk. Often these patients say they want to try any other available options before committing to a risky operation.
Fortunately, massage therapy and other alternatives offered at Optimim Health Rehab can provide pain relief for many people who have not had success with traditional treatments. Our massage therapist will work to help you using the following techniques:
Trigger Point Therapy or Myofascial Release
We define “trigger points” as knots or hard areas of the myofascial tissues, which lightly cover all muscles, bones, and organs in the human body. These knots can lead to pain, often referred to other areas of the body. So a knot in your shoulder might cause neck pain, or a knot in your back could cause arm or hip pain. They can also reduce your range of motion and make it hard to go about your normal activities.
The massage therapist will carefully feel for these knots or rigid areas, then apply prolonged pressure on each trigger point until it softens. They will also gently stretch the tissue to improve elasticity (ideally, myofascial tissue should be elastic and movable).
Some patients see results right away, while others experience pain relief after a few sessions. Depending on your diagnosis, you may benefit from having several sessions a week or month to keep your myofascial tissue healthy and strong.
Will Your Health Insurance Cover Massage Therapy?
In most cases, health insurers do not cover massage therapy, despite its many proven health benefits. However, in some situations, there may be other options for getting the cost covered. For example, if you need massage therapy for injuries you received in a car accident, you may be able to make a claim on the at-fault driver’s insurance policy for accident-related care, including massage therapy. When dealing with car accident claims, it’s best to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. Our office staff can put you in touch with an experienced lawyer if you aren’t sure where to start with seeking compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Grayson Massage Therapy Expert Today
If traditional treatments haven’t helped your pain, or you have concerns about surgery or medication side effects, massage therapy can provide an excellent alternative. At Optimum Health Rehab, you have the option of receiving massage along with other proven therapies like chiropractic care, regenerative medicine, and neurological services. Please call (678) 985-7286 or contact us online today to learn more about how massage therapy can help to reduce your pain and get you back on your feet. Our experienced staff is ready to answer your questions and help you explore treatment and payment options.