Musculoskeletal disorders symptoms
How can Massage Help Musculoskeletal Disorders? Musculoskeletal disorders encompass a wide range of conditions affecting joints, as well as the soft tissues including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. These disorders commonly present symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Various factors contribute to musculoskeletal disorders, including age, occupation, activity level, and lifestyle. Additionally, they can arise from repetitive strain caused by daily activities and acute injuries resulting from sudden movements, direct impact, or falls.
Musculoskeletal pain is a prevalent issue that can be challenging to manage, often leading to long-term complications and disability. Acute injuries may progress into chronic problems due to delayed healing, inadequate treatment, or complications arising from the initial injury. Chronic pain conditions like recurring headaches, fibromyalgia, and nerve disorders are also part of musculoskeletal pain, which can involve symptoms such as burning, tingling, or numbness. Associated symptoms may include depression, anxiety, and stress, as these conditions can impact one’s work, family, and social life.
Pain itself can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety, and the resulting sleep deprivation can exacerbate stress and depression. Massage therapy is an effective approach for managing both the physiological and psychological symptoms associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
It can provide numerous benefits, including pain reduction, improved range of motion, and increased tissue flexibility. Massage not only directly alleviates pain, but also induces relaxation, thereby relieving stress and anxiety. Moreover, it enhances overall health, and mental energy, and promotes a more positive outlook.
How Can Massage Help Musculoskeletal Disorders?
Massage therapy can be given to an individual with a musculoskeletal disorder to help in a number of ways.
1. Pain reduction
Massage enhances muscle flexibility and diminishes tension that may be causing discomfort. It also boosts serotonin production, which reduces stress levels and alleviates pain. Additionally, massage activates the release of natural pain relievers like dopamine. Through physical touch and pressure, massage disrupts the transmission of pain signals and diminishes their impact on the brain. By improving blood circulation, massage promotes healing by delivering oxygen and nutrients to the affected area.
It effectively reduces muscle spasms, pain, and swelling, thereby improving the symptoms that contribute to stress. Stress is closely linked to pain, including anxiety about illness or injury and concerns about personal, professional, and financial implications. The stress hormone cortisol is released in response to pain, further intensifying the stressful experience of pain. As pain increases, so does stress, resulting in a cycle that perpetuates elevated pain levels.
2. Scar Tissue Releasing
Massage therapy can provide significant advantages after a surgical operation. Surgery leads to the development of scar tissue in the nearby regions due to the resulting distress. Scar tissue formation is inevitable as it is a natural part of the healing process. However, if not addressed, excessive and adhesive scar tissue can restrict muscle and joint performance and flexibility.
Utilizing various massage techniques with different stroke depths, directions, and rhythms can yield several benefits. These benefits encompass decreased swelling, enhanced healing, and minimized scar tissue.
3. Relaxation
When stress is reduced, relaxation can be enhanced. High levels of stress, both physically and mentally, hinder relaxation. The muscles become tense and painful, causing headaches that intensify stress and frustration. A massage aims to alleviate muscle tension by creating friction between the skin and fingers, which promotes increased blood flow. This increased blood flow raises muscle temperature and enhances tissue elasticity, leading to the release of muscle tension.
Relaxation of the muscles enables improved movement and reduced pain. Massage has also been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate, allowing the body to de-stress and alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety. Cortisol, a stress-related hormone released in response to perceived threats, can be beneficial at low levels as it promotes alertness and awareness.
However, prolonged periods of elevated cortisol levels, often experienced in cases of chronic pain, can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. Massage can facilitate relaxation by increasing the release of endorphins and serotonin, commonly known as happy hormones, which promote a sense of calmness and subsequently reduce the release of cortisol.
4. Realign or Breakdown Collagen Fibres
When the body experiences an injury, collagen fibres are deposited in a disorganized manner. This disorganization of collagen fibres can result in pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Massage therapy can disrupt the adhesive connections between these fibres and reorient them in a more functional way. If you are dealing with a musculoskeletal disorder, massage therapy can bring you benefits. It is particularly effective for chronic pain, rehabilitation, post-surgery recovery, stress relief, and alleviating tight or painful muscles.
The advantages of massage therapy include reduced pain, improved range of motion, relaxation, enhanced flexibility, and support for the healing process. Emotionally, massage can stimulate the release of happy hormones, leading to better sleep and improved daily coping with your condition. For optimal results, it is recommended to undergo a course of treatments or receive regular massages.
5. Movement and Flexibility improved
Massage stimulates blood flow to the area by manipulating muscles and soft tissues, leading to increased circulation and warmth. This helps enhance tissue flexibility, release tight structures, and improve movement. Through massage, muscle tension, fascia tension, and scar tissue can be reduced, contributing to improved muscle flexibility and prevention of injuries. Additionally, manual muscle stretching during a massage can enhance joint movement.
6. Release Trigger Points
A trigger point is a taut ‘knot’ that forms within a muscle due to congestion, resulting in a highly sensitive region capable of radiating pain to nearby areas and causing headaches. A therapist can apply firm pressure using their fingers or thumbs to induce an ischemic reaction. Although discomfort may be experienced initially, it gradually subsides within a few seconds. Upon releasing the pressure, blood rushes to the area, promoting muscle relaxation.
7. Promote Healing
Massage has the ability to enhance cellular exchange through its ability to promote blood circulation to the afflicted region. Cellular exchange pertains to the transportation of vital nutrients, including oxygen, to tissues while simultaneously eliminating waste products. By promoting an increase in cellular exchange, massage aids in facilitating the healing process, optimizing performance, and preserving muscle health.
How Can Massage Help Musculoskeletal Disorders and Musculoskeletal Pain?
