Sufferers of chronic muscle soreness know that it’s a real pain in the neck – both literally and metaphorically. Aside from the daily physical pain, diagnoses are often difficult to pin down, and resulting treatments can be costly. More than
1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, with an estimated 100 million American sufferers. Chronic pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. Add in the fact that chronic pain comes with an increased risk for depression, and it seems that relief is out of reach for those who suffer most – and this is having a real and debilitating impact on many lives.
Chronic Pain Statistics
A
National Institute of Health Statistics survey found lower back pain to be the most common source of pain (27%), with neck pain following at a close second (15%).
According to the results, back pain is the leading cause of disability reported by Americans under 45 years of age – and 28% reported limited activity due to existing chronic conditions.
Adjustments undertaken by chronic back pain sufferers include taking disability leave from work (20%), changing jobs (17%), needing assistance in day-to-day life (13%), and moving into a more manageable home (13%).
Those living with chronic pain often exhaust their resources in pursuit of treating their symptoms. Frequent doctor visits, coupled with drug therapy, can take a huge emotional toll – and elude those looking for holistic or alternate solutions. Fortunately, there’s an entire industry dedicated to studying holistic approaches to wellness; the massage industry. While formerly viewed as a luxury for the elite, massage therapy is now regarded as a legitimate form of alternative medicine. For those seeking natural treatments for physical ailments, both massage therapy (at a facility) and massage chairs (at home) offer long-term benefits, and alleviation from chronic suffering.
What is Massage Therapy?
To put it simply, massage therapy is a low-risk technique in which massage therapists rub and knead the muscles and soft tissue, to alleviate pain and tension, and increase relaxation.
An ancient practice, the
origins of massage therapy date back thousands of years, and span many cultures. Hippocrates, a Classical Greek physician (often referred to as the “Father of Western Medicine”), thought highly of massage therapy, and encouraged other physicians to be skilled in the practice.
Hippocrates believed that a gentle massage relaxes the body, and assists with circulation – pre-dating current research, which has found that
massages can improve general blood flood and muscle soreness.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
As massage therapy relaxes and soothes aching muscles, it holds clear benefits for sufferers of chronic pain, or fibromyalgia. Yet the
benefits of massage therapy are multifold, extending far beyond these conditions. Studies have found that massage therapy may also be helpful for:
- Anxiety
- Digestive disorders
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Stress
- Soft tissue strains or injuries
- Sports injuries
- Joint pain
In-Home Massage Chairs
While it’s an effective form of treatment, massage therapy can be costly and is not often covered by insurance. Luckily, there’s a modern-day solution: the in-home massage chair. Created in 1968 by David Palmer, a California-based massage therapist, the
first massage chair was dubbed “a chair in a box” – and was designed to prevent clients from falling to one side during massages.
Popularized in the 1980s (after being introduced to the consumer market), the massage chairs of today incorporate robotics into their structure, to simulate the work of a masseuse. Robotic massage chairs offer many features – including heating and vibration techniques often controlled by a remote, and various chair nodes and rollers, which emulate the hands of a masseuse. These features enable users to target specific areas of tension and pain, while maintaining a level of comfort to suit their needs.
If you’re seeking an in-home method to treat and reduce your chronic pain, a
high-quality massage chair can deliver ongoing physical (and emotional) relief. Having your own chair right in your home makes it easy to sink into a quick, 20-minute relaxation session before you leave for work, or at the end of a long day – plus, it gives you the flexibility to
arrange your at-home muscle therapy around your personal schedule.
Of course, before beginning any new form of treatment, it’s important to consult with your doctor. If you and your doctor agree that massage therapy is an optimal treatment plan, you can begin the search for a top-tier massage chair that’s suited to your specific pain points. Your muscles will thank you.
