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Headache Pain

Headaches affect all ages, races and socioeconomic classes. The four most types of headaches are vascular – like a migraine; muscle contraction- also known as tension; traction- which results from conditions that affect the head, like tumors; and inflammatory. Treatments include medication, injections, meditation, injection, medication, massage and acupuncture.

Back Pain

If you haven’t experienced back pain, chances are good that you will. Back pain strikes eight of every 10 people at some point in their lives. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), back pain can come on sharp and suddenly, or it can last for years as a dull ache. It can affect anywhere from just above your pelvis to the base of your neck. Treatments include exercise, weight loss, medication, injections, acupuncture, massage and surgery.

Neck Pain

Neck pain typically increases with age. It often stems from such sources as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease but acute injuries- a car accident, for instance- can leave people with neck pain as well. The NIH notes that neck pain can also come from bending over a desk for long periods of time, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, sprain, arthritis, infection, and- though it’s rare- cancer of the spine. Treatment depends on the cause and may include xercise to keep the neck mobile, changing your desk position, medication, message, relaxation techniques, heat or ice.

Muscle Pain

Muscle aches (myalgia) are extremely common. Almost everyone has experienced discomfort in their muscles at some point.

Because there’s muscle tissue in nearly all parts of the body, this type of pain can be felt practically anywhere. However, there’s no single cause for muscle aches and pains. While overuse or injury is common, there are other possible explanations for ongoing discomfort.

Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s what helped our hunter-gatherer ancestors survive, and it’s just as important in today’s world. It can be healthy when it helps you avoid an accident, meet a tight deadline, or keep your wits about you amid chaos.

We all feel stressed at times, but what one person finds stressful may be very different from what another finds stressful. An example of this would be public speaking. Some love the thrill of it and others become paralyzed at the very thought.

Stress isn’t always a bad thing, either. Your wedding day, for example, may be considered a good form of stress.

But stress should be temporary. Once you’ve passed the fight-or-flight moment, your heart rate and breathing should slow down and your muscles should relax. In a short time, your body should return to its natural state without any lasting negative effects.

On the other hand, severe, frequent, or prolonged stress can be mentally and physically harmful.

And it’s fairly common. When asked, 80% of Americans reported they’d had at least one symptom stress in the past month. 20% reported being under extreme stress.

Life being what it is, it’s not possible to eliminate stress completely. But we can learn to avoid it when possible and manage it when it’s unavoidable.

What is Back Pain ?

Back Pain can range from a muscle aching to a soothing, burning or stabbing sensation. In addition, the pain may radiate down your lower leg or worsen with bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking.

Points to remember about Back Pain
• Back Pain may feel like a dull, constant ache or a sudden, sharp pain.
• Your back may hurt in one specific part, or pain may spread all over your back.
• You may be able to prevent back pain caused by overuse or moving the wrong way

Massage is believed to improve blood and lymph circulation. This is probably due partly to the physical manipulation of soft tissue and partly to the chemicals released as part of the relaxation response.

Improved circulation can enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells. As cellular health improves, tissues function more efficiently. More efficient functioning leads to the removal of waste products and may increase the absorption of excess fluids and reduce swelling in soft tissues.

Massage causes physiological changes in your body through :

● The relaxation response which is an involuntary yet predictable response of the nervous system to massage techniques and touch.

● Mechanical responses which are physical effects that occur in the body when pressure is applied to soft tissues.