Is chronic pain stopping you from rocking around the Christmas tree?
It’s the time of year to release your inner child. Maybe you’re looking forward to sipping mulled wine at the Christmas market, devouring chestnuts or even ice-skating! The opportunities are endless, but, if there is one uninvited guest who can really rain on that fun parade, it’s pain.
You may have been carrying it with you for months, maybe even years!
We’re talking constant chronic pain. It’s a burden at any time, but with this miniature Grinch inside you, it can be tough to stay upbeat and positive this Christmas.
Medically speaking, pain is chronic if it has stubbornly stuck around for more than three months. In the UK a staggering 43 % of the population experience chronic pain, while 14.3% live with pain that is either moderately or severely disabling.
Frustratingly, chronic pain is still widely misunderstood. The cause is often unclear. In some, chronic pain is what remains after an initial injury has healed. While in others, it may be the effect of stress or an underlying illness. Recently, it has even been suggested that your genes could be to blame!
Think of the soreness you feel after rigorous exercise or a twisted night’s sleep on a neck-breaking pillow. Usually, the discomfort is temporary as your body soon restores itself. Now, imagine enduring that pain for months on end with little relief. You would feel helpless and frustrated and this could have a real snowball effect on your mental health. Mindfulness can ease the mental weight of chronic pain, and may even heal the pain itself. You can find our latest blog on mindfulness here if you missed it.
Pain is complex and unique to your body.
Treatment for chronic pain is long and multifaceted as it’s important to identify what really works for your body. Christmas is around the corner and treatment won’t happen overnight. As a long-haul sufferer on the pain train, you are probably aware of the relieving benefits of massage therapy.Once restricted to luxury spas, massages entered the realm of clinics and hospitals, recognised for their immense health benefits and relaxation powers. Massages are highly effective in pain relief, stress reduction, and improving movement. With many types of therapeutic massages available, all with unique benefits, it can be difficult to tell them apart. If you’re not up to scratch with the massage lingo, we’ll talk you though our absolute favourites and how they can help.
Deep Tissue Massage
A massage that is focused on deeper layers of muscles, tendons and other connective tissues. Perfect for stiff, painful areas such as the neck, the shoulders and the back. The movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension in order to reach the sub-layer of muscles and the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles).
Trigger point massage
A highly specific massage used to target trigger points. These muscle knots or micro-cramps are extra sensitive spots in soft tissue. Trigger points are common; they can immerge seemingly from nowhere or as the result of injury. This massage technique is extremely localised and consists mainly of acupressure. Steady rubbing and pressing on the affected area can cause immense pain relief.
Swedish Massage
Pain isn’t just physical; it can leave you feeling emotionally vulnerable. This massage uses a blend of soft, long, kneading strokes to help with stress relief and deep relaxation.
Living life free from pain is one of the top reason people visit Brentwood Spinal Care Clinics. Our holistic approach to your pain reaches out far beyond the symptoms, aiming for long lasting results. If you are in pain now, or you know somebody in pain, we encourage you to make the most of our special offer and share the gift of wellness this Christmas.
