How massage helped me
At 34, I was a passenger in a new car that was side-swiped by a vehicle in the neighbouring lane, damaging the driver’s side door. The impact took us by surprise, but it wasn’t a significant impact — or so I thought. All I remember is my right elbow hitting the passenger door.
An hour later I was in the police station, giving a statement, when suddenly I started feeling severe shooting pain from the right side of my neck down into my hand. The doctor diagnosed me with whiplash and soft tissue damage throughout my back. I lived the next nine years in and out of pain. The pain was aggravated by poor posture, as I had a desk job and did little to no exercise. What I remember during the first two years after the accident, was that I would choose health over money any day.
Years later, I learned in my advanced clinical massage therapy program that you don’t have to live with the pain for the rest of your life. I’m not saying that every injury is fully repairable, but I am saying that a basic knowledge of my anatomy convinced me that massage is necessary, along with other therapeutic modalities like physiotherapy, acupuncture, energy work, stretching and exercising.
Most of this pain we suffer is caused by structural and mobility issues. Your body is always looking for balance, and if you don’t address the structural or mobility issues, it will reshape itself to create the balance it’s looking for. For example, if one of your legs is shorter than the other (a structural issue) and you don’t wear orthotics, your hips will compensate, and cause pain. Similarly, if your lower back is so painful you can’t move it, you’ll waddle when you walk, putting additional strain on your hips and — that’s right, cause pain. The more you neglect your body, the more pain settles in, because your body entered the red zone before it’s breaking point. To regain balance, three things needs to happen:
1.) Some form of physical therapy;
2.) Some stretches to rebalance joints;
3.) Some strengthening exercises to keep the joints in place.
Age, injuries and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to atrophy of the muscles, causing them to shrink or have too little oxygen (ischemia). You might also experience nerve degradation, causing less sensitivity in affected areas, a lack of coordination and mobility, or your joints may start to compensate for structural changes. Your bone density may decrease because of limited use or from lack of impact activities.
The advantages of getting a massage is that it:
Increases oxygen and blood circulation to muscles;
Triggers nerves to respond, thereby increasing body awareness;
Lengthens muscles;
Improves joint mobility and coordination;
Reduces or relieves pain;
Improves immune system function;
Increases lymphatic drainage;
Reduces depression and anxiety;
Reduces muscle tension
Relives Migraines & Headaches.
I believe that stretching is most important. If you exercise and don’t stretch, your muscles will become tense, causing injuries. If you work in an office or lead a sedentary lifestyle, stretching will be your saviour. It will give your body what it needs to help reduce pain and recuperate from injuries faster. As a therapist, it’s also important to understand which muscles need to be manipulated in order to rebalanced the affected joints, to stabilize the overall structure.
Exercises strengthen the muscles and keep the affected joint in 
place, promotes nerve health and improves blood circulation. When impact and tension are applied to the body, it promotes bone density and muscle health, so that your body can withstand various forms of impacts.
As we age, it’s especially important for everyone to understand the three points above. The more balanced our bodies are, the less chances we will experience:
Muscle atrophy;
Coordination and circulation issues;
Prolonged healing from broken bones or muscle tears;
Unnatural curvature of the spine from structural imbalances.
Today I’m excited to say that, since the car accident 10 year ago, I live a pain-free life by applying this knowledge. I hope you will too.
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