Why Do I Hurt?

Katie White RMT, HTP, CYT

Pain is the number one reason why people come to my clinic for massage therapy treatments. Having suffered from over 20 years of chronic neck pain myself, I can empathize and relate to their misery.

It has been my experience that those who are able to overcome pain and restricted mobility take an active role in their healing journey.  Clients that are curious, interested and willing to experiment, are those that enjoy better quality of life.

My personal and professional experience has taught me that the reasons for pain are many. Here are some that you might not know about:

1. Trigger Points- These are hard lumps found in muscle tissue and can refer pain to other areas of the body. Overuse, underuse, a cold breeze, hormonal imbalance are just a few of the reasons trigger points develop.  Massage therapy is an excellent way to find and resolve this painful condition.
2. Sensory Motor Amnesia- SMA describes inefficient patterns of muscular activation that are so habitual you can’t sense or control them. For example, you might have simply forgotten how to relax areas such as the neck, low back and shoulders, or how to activate muscles like the glutes or abs. This leads to weakness, inefficiency, poor coordination and eventually pain. Soma Yoga is a wonderful way to learn body awareness and overcome SMA.

3,  Nutritional Deficiency- Many clinical trails have been done proving the connection between nutritional deficiency and low energy, general malaise and chronic pain.  Common deficiencies linked to nerve, joint and muscle pain are Vitamin B12, C, D, and magnesium. A visit to a Naturopathic Doctor can be very helpful and informative for individual assessment.
 

 4. Chronic Inflammation- There are many reasons why inflammation sets up in the body. One very common reason is food sensitivity, resulting in chronic inflammation. Common foods that can be inflammatory are: gluten, sugar, corn, soy, and dairy. Another group is the nightshades: tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, chilies and hemp seed.  Trying an elimination diet or having vega testing done can help to determine food sensitivities.

5. Suppressed Emotions- Dr. John E. Sarno is a New York Times bestselling author and respected physician.  He continues to research the vital connection between mind and body. Dr. Sarno  has clinically proven how many painful conditions-including neck and back pain, migraine, repetitive stress injuries, whiplash, and tendonitises-are rooted in repressed emotions. To learn more, read his book The Mind Body Prescription.

I encourage all clients to take an active role in their health.  To take the time to explore the many possible reasons why they are experiencing pain.  Often times it is like solving a puzzle, figuring out what works and what doesn’t.  Life is a journey, and sometimes the road is winding and challenging, giving us the opportunity to learn and grow.