News: October 2024

You Don't Have to Live With Neck Pain! Consistency is Everything

One of the most common conditions I see in my practice is neck pain. A plethora of high quality research has revealed massage therapy to be a safe and highly effective treatment for lower back pain, but massage and neck pain could do with more attention. I was excited to discover a massage research study newly published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork involving 127 individuals with chronic neck pain. Participants had primarily sedentary occupations such as IT professionals, accountants, and secretaries. Not surprisingly, prolonged hours spent sitting at computers contributes to musculoskeletal problems which typically involve the neck.

For three years, study participants received a standardized medical massage intervention designed to specifically address chronic neck pain. Assessments were conducted at regular intervals throughout the study period in order to track changes in pain severity. Of the 127 participants, 93 received massage therapy twice monthly, while 34 chose once monthly massage due to logistical reasons. A controlled comparison was made between the two groups.

Participants reported their pain intensity using a 1 to 10 pain scale, 1 being the lowest level of intensity and 10 the highest. At the beginning of the study, the majority of participants reported their pain intensity levels to be 7 or 8. At the end of the study, the group that received massage therapy twice per month reported an average of 1-2 on the pain scale, while the group that had massage once per month reported an average of 3-4. Massage therapy was therefore tremendously helpful for reducing neck pain in both groups, but significantly more so for the group that received massage therapy more frequently.

The study's author concludes, "These findings underline the positive correlation between massage frequency and pain relief, highlighting the significance of regular therapeutic interventions in reducing chronic neck pain effectively."

I'd like to extrapolate and posit that frequency and consistency are key for any self-care practice. We may stick to our routines when life seems stable and we feel relatively well, but when we face stress, overwhelm, or exhaustion, our self-care tends to evaporate. We're too busy, too tired, or simply not in the mood. But those are the days when it's most crucial to stick to our routines. We practice self-care during easier times so that we have the tools we need when times get tough.

It's when we don't feel like meditating, doing Yoga, going for a walk, eating healthy, or sticking to a sleep schedule that we need to step back and observe our minds giving us a million and one excuses why we shouldn't do it, and then do it anyway. Sticking to a self-care routine no matter what gives us a sense of autonomy over our lives. We have little to no control over our outside world, but we can do the work on ourselves to help us face life's challenges with grace, patience, and resilience. Get massages regularly, be consistent with your self-care, and you'll find that life doesn't have to be a pain in the neck.

Study Break Self-Massage!

This is a special video for all of my student viewers, but it's also great for anyone who could use a break!

Join me for a relaxing and rejuvenating self-massage with guided breathwork and visualization to help you destress, so that you can resume studying or working with a relaxed body, a clear mind, and positive energy.

We can't retain information when we are stressed or anxious. Taking a self-care break gives your memory the boost it needs to ace that next exam or project!