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Why Pain Doesn't Equal Gain

9/11/2017

1 Comment

 
​Is myotherapy painful if it's done 'right'? Should massage hurt in order to be effective? These are the sorts of things I get asked all the time. As a practitioner with a strong interest in the world of chronic pain, I get very passionate about this topic. So apologies for the rant ahead!
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The myth
Somewhere along the line, people started to equate pain and gain. It's in the workplace, in the gym, and now even on the treatment table.
 
There are many who think a 'good' massage or myotherapy treatment should make them wince. They think that:
  • In order to 'cure' pain, you need to inflict it
  • Deep tissue work requires pressure to the point of pain
  • Gentle bodywork doesn't achieve the best outcome for your muscles
 
But is this really the case?
 
The reality
Does pain really equal gain? I don't think so – particularly not for people already in pain.
 
If you're already experiencing pain, your nervous system is already on overload. And that means you're already vulnerable to more pain. Pain is not a healthy thing in large amounts!
 
In fact, when your body experiences pain, you'll have:
  • Higher level of stress hormones
  • Greater fluctuations in blood sugar levels
  • Higher levels of fatigue
  • A greater inflammatory load throughout the body
  • More essential nutrients used up
 
I don't know about you. But I think that if you walk out of a chronic pain treatment with more inflammation, fewer nutrients and more stress – it might not be a good choice for your healing.
 
On the other hand, a gentle treatment that lowers stress hormones and inflammation might be just what you need.
 
Can you have a pain-free treatment?
I believe that you can have a low-pain, if not completely pain-free myotherapy treatment. There's a few ways you can make sure that this happens:
  1. Find a practitioner who understands hypersensitivity and chronic pain. These practitioners are the ones who have worked hard to learn how to treat your pain. I'm proud to be a practitioner for chronic pain clients, and continue to study to learn how to best help them.
  2. Communicate, communicate, communicate! While it's true that your myotherapist can sometimes spot the physical reaction to pain, it's not a guarantee. So if something hurts – speak up! Let your myotherapist know what hurts where, and what it feels like.
  3. Keep breathing. By keeping your breaths long and deep, you can switch the dominant nervous system from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) to parasympathetic (rest-and-digest). It keeps your body calm, and reduces the likelihood of pain.
 
You might still experience some sensations like tenderness on trigger points, or mild discomfort during a stretch. But that's not quite the same as pain – I'll explain in a later post.
 
Are you still worried about pain during a treatment? I want to hear your concerns and let you know how I can help. Send me a message, and we can talk about how to keep you pain-free.
 
Ready to get yourself a gentle AND effective treatment for your pain? Pop on over to the booking page to get started.

1 Comment
Cynthia
20/9/2020 05:49:04 am

Yes, I agree. My daughter had pain in her legs. She had Myotherapy for relief and ended up in the hospital two days later because the pain was so agonizing. Not to mention that she cannot walk right now.

Reply



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    Meet Our Team

    We have a team of great practitioners available 7 days a week at our Knoxfield clinic.

    Mel Hanley
    Mel is our Senior Myotherapist.
    She's a nerdy, geeky bookworm who loves to help explain complex pain in an easy to understand way.
    ​She has a special interest in chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and more.

    Duke Autret
    Duke is our remedial massage therapist.
    He has a deep interest in movement and alignment. He enjoys helping people regain strength and mobility to reduce their pain.

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Simple Wellness Myotherapy Clinic
Level 1,
1571 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield VIC 3180
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Phone us on
​0401212934
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​Mel@simplewellness.com.au
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Mel Hanley is registered as a member of Massage & Myotherapy Australia as both a Remedial Massage Therapist and Myotherapist.
Duke Autret is registered as a member with AMT as a Remedial Massage Therapist.

  • Home
  • Treatments & Bookings
  • Pain and Conditions Myotherapy & Remedial Massage Can Treat
    • Bursitis
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Injury Prevention
    • Plantar Fasciitis
    • Pregnancy Pain
    • Rotator Cuff
    • Sciatica and Disc Injury
    • TMJ and Jaw Pain
    • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Meet Our Team
    • Mel Hanley
    • Duke Autret
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • What Happens In A Typical Myotherapy Treatment?
    • Myotherapy or Remedial Massage?
    • Dry Needling or Acupuncture?
    • Can I Claim with Private Health?
  • Patient Stories and Testimonials
  • Together Medical Family Practice
  • Blog
  • Contact