Chronic pain is pain that lingers or keeps recurring for more than three months. It’s different from acute pain, the type of pain that happens directly after an injury, although acute pain can become chronic pain over time, as sometimes pain remains long after an injury or surgery has healed. Chronic pain can occur for many, sometimes complex reasons, it may be linked to health conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches, migraines, hypermobility spectrum disorders, cancer related pain, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. Sometimes actions that are part of our daily life such as sitting for many hours, using a mouse or heavy lifting can start to cause pain.
Living with chronic pain can affect nearly every part of daily life including sleep. To avoid discomfort, many people reduce activity, which can unfortunately lead to stiffness, muscle weakness, and even more pain. Chronic pain often impacts mental health too, sometimes leading to anxiety, depression, or difficulties with focus and memory. Over time, the nervous system can become extra sensitive, so pain signals are amplified, and even normal sensations like movement, light, or sound can feel overwhelming.
Massage can play a supportive role in managing chronic pain, appropriate techniques help ease muscle tension, reducing pain and discomfort. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) responsible for calming the body is engaged, soothing the nerves. Endorphins the body’s natural pain relievers, serotonin and oxytocin are released, hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to well-being and mood regulation. Stress hormones such as cortisol are reduced allowing for deep relaxation. Many people also find massage helps improve sleep, reduce anxiety and promotes a sense of overall wellbeing.
Clinical massage is effective at pain reduction, treatments can also include gentle stretches to restore movement or use techniques like myofascial release for areas that feel too sensitive for massage. People often think of Thai massage as being painful to receive, however it can be as gentle as you’d like and still be effective. TMJ massage can help with jaw pain, clenching and grinding and if your body is feeling really sensitive working on your feet with Reflexology can be helpful especially for deep relaxation. If your pain is linked to cancer, I’m trained in oncology massage, so am aware of any adaptions that may be needed.
Before your first session, we’ll start with a thorough consultation so I can get to know your health history, more about your pain and what may trigger it. At the beginning of each subsequent appointment, I’ll check to see what your current needs and focus for the session are. Your comfort and is important and feedback is always welcome. What feels good one week may not feel right the next, that’s completely normal.
Massage doesn’t need to be painful to be effective either, sometimes a lighter touch brings the greatest benefit. My aim is always to create a safe, supportive space where and sessions are given with an understanding of the biopsychosocial model, that health is shaped by the interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors.
Everyone’s experience of chronic pain is unique, some people benefit from regular sessions, while others prefer to come when needed as part of a wider self-care routine that might also include exercise, stretching, yoga, meditation, mindfulness or CBT. Useful resources include pain is really strange book and podcast, these give great explanations on pain, simple, short and very helpful. Also Flippin pain, looking at how we view pain and coping ideas.
If you’d like to find out more about how massage could help with your chronic pain, please feel free to get in touch by email or call me on 07739155807. All treatments can also be booked online
