 Massage the Pain Away
Today, one in five American adults suffers from chronic pain. This staggering statistic also suggests roughly 60% report this pain as moderate or worse, and 20% report severe chronic pain (according to a 2005 poll from Stanford University). For sufferers of chronic pain, every aspect of life is affected; including overall quality of life, ability to do work, perform day-to-day activities, sleep, and overall mood. In the U.S, an estimated $62 Billion is spent annually in response to reduced performance due to chronic pain. When lost workdays and cost of treatments are included, this figure jumps to $100 billion a year (Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Pain Foundation).
Typical solutions for chronic pain include prescription and over-the-counter pain medications in addition to bed rest. Quite often the lack of resolution provided by conventional medical treatments is in itself, a source of pain. Research shows it is common for patients to visit at least three physicians, before finding a practitioner who provides some relief. However, the numbers show that while 90% report that their physicians understand their pain well, only 30% experience a “great deal” of relief from their treatment(s).
Over-the-counter medications have had limited success, with a 34% satisfaction rate. At least 25% of those taking pain medications expressed concern over the safety of these drugs. With recent government removal of drugs like Bextra and Vioxx from the market, and new warning labels on naproxen, seeking alternative pain relief has become a necessity for many.
Massage therapy is an excellent treatment for chronic pain because the location of the pain is most commonly found in: the back (25%), knees (12%), headaches/migraines (9%), and shoulders and legs (7% each). Massage therapy is clinically proven to be more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies. During massage, the brain produces endorphins, which naturally dull the sensation of pain, and enhance a sense pleasure.
Hospitals and clinics are beginning to integrate massage therapy into regular patient care; it is the most commonly used alternative therapy currently practiced in the U.S. Massage has proven to be an effective pain reduction treatment for patients suffering from diseases such as: cancer, fybromyalgia, migraines, back pain, as well as with maternity patients.
Therapies that are safe, non-toxic, and a non-invasive represent examples of Ecologically Sustainable Medicines. Massage therapy works to revitalize patients without diminishing or contaminating environmental resources. The Teleosis Institute’s works with massage therapists and other health professionals to evaluate their professional relationship with the environment through the Green Health Care Program. By deepening their ecological connection, health care providers can serve to improve the overall health of their clients and the environment.
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