Chronic pain is a significant public health concern and affects approximately 100 million Americans. In fact, pain accounts for 80% of all doctor visits and the number one reason why individuals currently seek medical care.
Chronic Pain Management
Pain is a multi-dimensional issue that not only affects physically, but emotionally, mentally, socially, and spiritually. It can interfere with daily activities and an individual’s ability to perform in their work or social lives. Chronic pain obviously affects the individual suffering, but also their families, friends, and loved ones too.
It’s easy to recognize the potential correlation between this and the rise in opioid addiction and overdoses. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prescription opioid related deaths have more than quadrupled since 1999. That means that on average, 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose everyday.
Those are tragic statistics, but there is hope. A number of governmental agencies and health organizations are seeking alternative methods for pain management—including the American Massage Therapy Association.
The growing amount of clinical recommendations, governmental support, available resources, and research confirms the benefits of massage therapy. This is highly encouraging, especially for those seeking a safe and holistic approach to pain management.
Research Strongly Recommends Massage Therapy For Pain Relief
The Samueli Institute was recently commissioned by the Massage Therapy Foundation to conduct research on massage therapy for pain. Part one of the three-part analysis was recently published by the Pain Medicine journal.
This research and review was the first to thoroughly assess massage therapy’s effectiveness for treating pain and health-related quality of life—particularly in cancer populations.
The results? Based on the evidence, massage therapy should be strongly recommended as a pain management option for patients. While it may vary among individual conditions, massage therapy is recommended for reducing pain and improving mood and quality of life related to health.
In short, while each individual condition and care plan is unique, massage therapy has been an effective treatment option for many who now enjoy a higher quality of life and relief from chronic pain.
Massage in Logan, Utah
At Spring Creek Medical Center, we not only offer the benefits of a trained chiropractor in Logan, Utah, but a full medical staff who are there to assist you and help reduce your pain in a holistic way.
We look forward to helping you enjoy the relief that massage therapy can provide.
