All of us are affected by pain at one time or another. This category accounts for approximately 80% of all doctor visits. Current estimates suggest that 50 million Americans are suffering from chronic pain.

• Back pain
• Headaches
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Osteoarthritis
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Fibromyalgia

You don't need to experience chronic pain in order to suffer from negative effects. People who have experienced muscle aches, shoulder or back pain, as well as temporary injuries are likely to notice the connection between negative emotions, such as anxiety, stress, depression, or mood swings. This can have serious consequences for your health that will affect your ability to perform daily tasks at work and your personal life.

Pain can also hinder your ability to do the things that matter most—the things that are important to you.

Pain is a subjective, multi-dimensional experience that every person has. It's not just that pain can affect your emotions, making you anxious or depressed. However, it could also cause anxiety and depression. You could have emotional distress or unresolved emotional baggage that is causing your pain. Talk about a problem to solve!

The good news? There is significant evidence that massage therapy can be used to relieve pain and prevent it from getting worse.

What can massage do to help with all kinds of pain and combat these negative effects?

A 2016 systematic review was conducted, and a meta-analysis concluded that "massage therapy may be beneficial, with minimal safety concerns, for treating various pain and function-related outcomes in pain populations." The American College of Physicians has now issued guidelines to treat low back pain. They recommend that massage and complementary therapies like applied heat and acupuncture are preferred over "costly and potentially harmful drugs."

Massage therapy can be very helpful in managing anxiety and depression, which are becoming more common in today's world. Massage therapy is often requested by patients and doctors for stress and anxiety relief.

Massage can be used to relieve physical pain and emotional stress.

This isn't surprising. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, in 2019, 21% of Americans had received a massage. 52% said they were for health or medical reason, whereas 26% reported it was for relaxation or stress reduction.

Massage therapy can be a powerful tool in managing pain and discomfort. That's the upside. There really is nothing to lose. It has been proven that massage is safe, effective, and without side effects.

Enjoy a massage tailored to your specific needs.