The Magic of Massage TherapyThe Magic of Massage Therapy


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The Magic of Massage Therapy

I was going through intense physical therapy to recover after surgery, and every day I went to bed with sore, achy muscles. Finally, my physical therapist suggest I give massage therapy a try. Massage therapy really helped me relax and unwind after a hard day at physical therapy, but I think it also helped speed my recovery. It helped with blood flow and circulation, and I really felt much better after every session. I liked it so much that I kept going even after I was fully recovered. I started this blog to talk about the magic of massage therapy. It really helped me, and I believe that it can really help others as well. If you’ve been wanting to learn what massage therapy is like and how it helps, you’ll find the answers here on my blog.

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4 Treatments For Herniated Discs

A herniated disc can cause severe pain and make daily tasks such as standing and walking impossible. If you believe you may have a herniated disc, you are probably wondering what treatment options are available. There are many alternative and traditional treatments to help relieve pain and correct the problem. Check out these four treatments for a herniated disc to see which one is best for you.

Chiropractic Manipulations and Modalities

Chiropractic care is one of the best methods for naturally dealing with back and neck pain. Your chiropractor will likely start with some modalities. These include heat, ice, electrical stimulation, massage, traction, etc. They are designed to relax your back muscles, so spinal manipulations are smoother and more effective.

The chiropractor will assess your spine and neck and make adjustments accordingly. Many people fear this procedure moves the bones because of the popping sound you hear. However, that is actually gas and liquid being released from your joints, which releases pressure from the herniated disc. In fact, if your herniated disc is causing severe pain, a trip to the chiropractor can ease that pain immediately. However, some people do experience mild discomfort after a manipulation.

Acupuncture Treatments

Acupuncture is another alternative therapy used to help relieve some pressure from the herniated disc. Using tiny needles, an acupuncturist focuses on special pressure points in the body. The needles are so small you cannot typically feel them. In ancient acupuncture, it was believed the needles opened energy pathways, letting stagnant energy flow and heal.

More realistically, however, it's likely the needles promote healing by increasing blood flow to the area. The needles also likely release endorphins, which help naturally fight pain. Acupressure is a similar treatment, but it does not use needles. Instead, the provider uses pressure from fingers at these same pressure points.

Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy

Massage therapy won't heal your herniated disc, but it is a great pain management tool while you undergo treatment. During massage, blood flow is increased, bringing more oxygen to the injured area. This promotes pain relief without the unpleasant side effects that pharmaceuticals have. There are many different types of massage, so speak with your massage therapist about your condition, so you can choose a treatment plan tailored to your pain.

Physical therapy can also be used to help relieve pain. While you have the herniated disc, your physical therapist can help you strengthen other areas of your body, taking some pressure off your spine. After your herniated disc is healed, you may still need to undergo some physical therapy to regain your strength and range of motion.

Surgical Solutions

If natural treatments and pain management stops working, your doctor may suggest surgery to relieve the pain. The most common surgery for a herniated disc is a discectomy. During this procedure, the portion of the disc that is causing the problem or the entire disc itself is removed. Most of the time, these procedure can be minimally invasive with just a small incision on your back.

A laminotomy is another surgical option. For this procedure, the doctor simply creates an opening in your vertebral arch to relieve the pressure. For herniated discs in your lower back, an artificial disc is often added to provide more stability. Lastly, spinal fusion is used to fuse at least two vertebrae together. This creates more stability, but you lose the ability to twist your spine at the fusion site.

If you have a herniated disc, start treatment now to relieve the pain. Surgery may not be necessary, but if nothing else relieves the pain, minimally invasive surgery can stop the pain once and for all. For more information regarding treatments, contact a doctor at facilities like Healthpointe