Therapeutic massage can have favorable effects on many kinds of pain. A 2011 clinical trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported that structural and relaxation styles of massage helped alleviate pain and improve function in patients with chronic low back pain. Studies have also found that massage can ease pain due to muscle soreness, tension headaches, cancer treatment and major surgery.

Karis Antokal, a licensed massage therapist with the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network in Boston said that massage focuses on the soft tissues – which can be especially beneficial in chronic back and neck pain where muscles tend to be tight. It can also help patients with nerve or joint pain – by relieving muscle tension around the source of the pain. Antokal said that while massage can be helpful for easing tension, it won’t cure a serious medical issue like a slipped disc. That’s why it’s important to check with your doctor to understand the root cause of your pain, and then if you decide to try massage, work with a licensed massage therapist who knows your medical condition and history. Dr. Robbins weighed in on the issue of massage. He estimated that between 25 and 30% of his patients who have tried massage for migraine or fibromyalgia pain actually saw an increase in their pain after receiving a one – making it a negative situation for some……. Boston Globe   2/28/13

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