Chronic Pain and Massage Therapy

Brianna Clark
October 2, 2015

My client suffered from chronic pain...

I had a client recently that left my office with tears streaming down her face. I feel compelled to share with you why. But first, let me ask you a few questions. Have you ever suffered with chronic pain? Have you ever felt hopeless that you will never go through a day without pain dominating every thought you have? Have you ever broken down, given up, maybe even felt depressed due to unrelenting chronic PAIN?! If so, have you tried regular massage therapy sessions?

Facing this problem is not for the faint of heart. Chronic pain tests a person’s limits, tolerance and capabilities. I know this first hand as I have dealt with unwavering, deep-rooted neck pain since a car accident I was involved in years ago. The subsequent years of finding nonpharmaceutical treatments to manage my pain (and therefore my LIFE) is a big reason why I got into massage therapy, nutrition and wanting to help people create an environment in their life conducive to healing.

Everyone is different, but for me deep tissue massage therapy and acupuncture are what allow me to maintain a balance. A good massage buys me time to feel “normal” and comfortable in my own body. This in turn helps me help other people, to make a living, to enjoy the time I have to spend with others, to sleep comfortably, to be in a GOOD mood, to not feel agitated. Moment by moment, activity by activity, this is LIFE! I don’t know about you, but I want to live to feel as good as possible moving through it.

This brings me back to my client who left after her massage therapy session crying. She walked in that day to her second massage therapy session with me to address her neck pain. She had been in a car accident months prior to my meeting her. She stood before me that day explaining her agony, pointing at her neck with the look of defeat in her eyes. Side to side she rotated her head to demonstrate the “clicking” sound her cervical vertebrae made. And so… we got to work.

After her massage, she wandered out of my treatment room to greet me. Her posture was noticeably more vertical, her energy shifted to a more tranquil state. Her eyes were more alert and focused. Rotating her head back and forth no longer caused vertebral clicking. She said, “I haven’t felt this pain-free in months”. She quietly thanked me and prepared to leave. As she turned to put her coat on, she looked at me with tears streaming down her face, sincerely thanking me for taking her pain away.

I told her what I want to tell all my clients. I feel your pain, but even more importantly, I feel your pain being taken away and the peace that brings with it. I feel your relief, your restored hope! I don’t take what I do lightly. My practice is filled with empathy, compassion, skill, education and dedication to my clients. Let me know if I can help you.

Happy Healing,

Brianna

picture of person experiencing chronic pain on their shoulder
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