Massage for Pain

I want a full body massage where I can heal the body, work the kinks out of the muscles, in a relaxing and natural way. I have yet to find the time because of my very busy lifestyle. I had a full massage at Osmosis near Bodega Bay, CA about 9 years ago and loved it. It was after a complete submersion into heated wood chips with enzymes and herbs -- Japanese style mud bath (sort of). Very relaxing.

I normally massage my younger child (one year old) in the morning. I know from the way his body relaxes that he really loves it. So yes - massage really works- and apart from relaxation, it is also good for blood circulation.

Massage helps to get the body more relaxed. Tension can lead to pain, so it only makes sense that a little help in relieving that tension will decrease the pain. The trick is to make it a regular practice, so that tension doesn't build up, instead of having a massage only when we're already in pain.

The past two days have been really bad for my back-I've been in a bunch of pain at and after work. I have a preexisting back muscle injury that can sometime be sensitive to the touch, so I tend to be weary about getting a massage, and often ask anyone giving me even the lightest massage to be careful where the injury is. I wonder what the best kind of massage would be for me.

I'm a massage therapist and I LOVE that more people are interested in this wonderful form of therapy. Yes - it is great for relaxation, pain relief, grounding, mind/body awareness, stress relief, circulation and many, many more things. Like anything else, you need to find out what works best for you - the frequency, the pressure, the gender of your therapist, the setting (your house or a spa/center), type of massage. All of this is dependent on what your goals are for the work - are you in pain? just want to relax? need stress relief? just fits into your overall lifestyle? The important thing is to find a therapist you trust, who is knowledgeable and who will listen to your needs. That person can truly be your partner in better health.

Hi Kristen - yes, massage can help! I just read an article about back pain (I'm a sufferer too) that said people who do nothing - stop moving, don't seek therapy, etc. - are at higher risk for worsening the injury/pain. Muscles need movement, blood-flow to keep functioning. Your therapist should be able to work with you to find a level of pressure you're comfortable with, yet still have a positive effect on your injury.

I second people's assertion that massage can definitely help. I'm someone who has used myofascial release and trigger-point therapy to work with chronic tendonitis and it has worked its wonders time and again. Even things like TMJ, with the right therapist, can seem to magically melt into thin air. The trick is finding someone who specializes in structural bodywork and who has a more clinical take on massage--like the kind of therapist who might work closely in conjunction with a medical/chiropractic clinic.