Since years, we have observed that the power of touch in our hands can ease pain. When a child bangs his head against something, we immediately rub his head with our palms for his relief. Similarly, when we are sitting at work for hours and get stiff shoulders or back, we will probably try and knead them or think of getting a massage done to feel better. The therapeutic power of a well-placed hand is so evident that just about everyone in ancient times has mentioned use of massage for pain relief. The use of massage therapy for pain relief reduced in the medieval age due to availability of various new medicines, but nowadays, people are going back to the ancient hands-on relief. It might come under alternative therapy but massage therapy is well respected by the entire medical community. Research says that, more than 70 percent of orthopedics tells their patients to undergo massage therapy for pain relief.
How does Massage Therapy work?
A massage causes certain physiological changes in the body. This happens due to two factors:
- The involuntary (automatic) relaxation response that the brain gives in response to the massage.
- The physical response that occurs in the body due to the pressure applied to the tissues during the massage.
Collectively, these responses lead to several physical and emotional benefits.
Massage results in two major physical effects mentioned below:
- Increase in blood and lymph circulation.
- Relaxation and normalization of the soft tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments).
Applying pressure with hands relaxes muscles, ligaments, joints and tendons. At times, deeper tissues of the body like deep spinal muscles are usually not accessible by a massage. But when the superficial layers of the muscles are relaxed, it can also help the deeper layers which can lead to better pain relief.
Various oils used for massages for pain relief:
There are many essential oils that we can use for pain relief. Some essential oils have analgesic proper as well as anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties. Below mentioned are a few commonly used essential oils for pain relief.
1. Chamomile – It is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to relieve muscle pain and spasms, lower back pain and headaches.
2. Sweet marjoram – It has sedative properties. Helps to relieve muscle pain and spasms, stiffness, rheumatism, osteoarthritis and migraine.
3. Lavender – It is probably the most famous essential oil for pain relief and relaxation. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and sedative properties and it helps to relieve muscle tension and spasms, joint pain and headache.
4. Eucalyptus – It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is very good for muscle pain and nerve pain.
5. Peppermint – It is good for muscle and joint pain, headache and nerve pain.
6. Rosemary – It has analgesic and antispasmodic properties. It is good for relieving back pain, muscle and joint pain and headaches.
7. Thyme – It acts as an antispasmodic. It is good for joint and muscle pain.
8. Clary sage – It has calming and soothing properties, as well as anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to ease muscle tension, spasms and PMS pain.
9. Sandalwood – It relieves muscle spasms. It helps to reduce nerve pain.
10. Ginger – It is used to treat arthritic and rheumatic pain, muscle pain and sprains.
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