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| Power Style Wellness Connections |
What a pain - Painful Solutions
By Cyndi Masters
Dear Cyndi,
I hurt! I have tried walking, hot baths, meditating, and changing my diet to
something healthier. I have had some relief, but not enough. I am not sure why I hurt but I
ache especially when there is a change in weather. I have been to several doctors and no
one can tell me “exactly” what is wrong. They will give pain medication but it makes me
feel removed from my life. Is there anything else left to try?
— Hurting in River City
Dear Hurting,
I understand your frustration. It is frightening not to know what is wrong with your body or
how to heal it. I have found more often than not that pain medication doesn’t really take
away the pain but makes me care less about it.
Recently I tried a new massage therapist. I have had professional massages for several
years but only with minimal relief. The experience I have had with the new therapist is
completely different than anything I had experienced through massage in the past. It is by
far the greatest pain relief I have received from any single pain-relieving activity. In
addition to the immediate pain relief I receive, I also sleep better for several days after the
massage. The additional sleep helps with my pain and controlling the emotion that
surrounds it.
What I have learned is that if I expect to receive the maximum benefit from a massage it is
about much more than the masseuse’s technique. It is also about my comfort level with
the masseuse. I find it to be as therapeutic emotionally as it is physically. My most recent
experience has taught me that a healing touch is more than an adage. In the past I didn’t
seem to ever relax enough to realize the value of the massage. I didn’t have a different
benchmark and therefore assumed massage only scratched the surface. I am grateful to
report I was wrong.
I have since learned that there are many styles or techniques of massage. This is not a
one-size-fits-all solution. I have seen therapists in the past that my friends have loved but
have left me wondering if massage is very effective.
I encourage you to explore massage and investigate more than one therapist and
technique. Massage not only has provided “relief” but has also provided true “healing.”
Tips:
• Interview several therapists.
• Try different techniques.
• Get on a regular massage schedule.
Some benefits of massage:
• Massage reduces acute and chronic pain.
• Massage reduces stress.
• Massage increases mobility.
• Massage improves circulation.
• Massage enhances skin condition.
After her accident, Cyndi Masters arrived at the hospital with collapsed lungs, crushed
ribs, her heart shifted to the left, the right side of her face ripped and serious spinal cord
and head injuries. Doctors weren’t sure she would survive, but Cyndi’s positive outlook
became her saving grace. You can reach her at cyndimastersiamtodayswoman.comIf you
would like to send Cyndi a question about dealing with your chronic pain, send it to
cyndimasters@iamtodayswoman.com.
By Cyndi Masters
Dear Cyndi,
I hurt! I have tried walking, hot baths, meditating, and changing my diet to
something healthier. I have had some relief, but not enough. I am not sure why I hurt but I
ache especially when there is a change in weather. I have been to several doctors and no
one can tell me “exactly” what is wrong. They will give pain medication but it makes me
feel removed from my life. Is there anything else left to try?
— Hurting in River City
Dear Hurting,
I understand your frustration. It is frightening not to know what is wrong with your body or
how to heal it. I have found more often than not that pain medication doesn’t really take
away the pain but makes me care less about it.
Recently I tried a new massage therapist. I have had professional massages for several
years but only with minimal relief. The experience I have had with the new therapist is
completely different than anything I had experienced through massage in the past. It is by
far the greatest pain relief I have received from any single pain-relieving activity. In
addition to the immediate pain relief I receive, I also sleep better for several days after the
massage. The additional sleep helps with my pain and controlling the emotion that
surrounds it.
What I have learned is that if I expect to receive the maximum benefit from a massage it is
about much more than the masseuse’s technique. It is also about my comfort level with
the masseuse. I find it to be as therapeutic emotionally as it is physically. My most recent
experience has taught me that a healing touch is more than an adage. In the past I didn’t
seem to ever relax enough to realize the value of the massage. I didn’t have a different
benchmark and therefore assumed massage only scratched the surface. I am grateful to
report I was wrong.
I have since learned that there are many styles or techniques of massage. This is not a
one-size-fits-all solution. I have seen therapists in the past that my friends have loved but
have left me wondering if massage is very effective.
I encourage you to explore massage and investigate more than one therapist and
technique. Massage not only has provided “relief” but has also provided true “healing.”
Tips:
• Interview several therapists.
• Try different techniques.
• Get on a regular massage schedule.
Some benefits of massage:
• Massage reduces acute and chronic pain.
• Massage reduces stress.
• Massage increases mobility.
• Massage improves circulation.
• Massage enhances skin condition.
After her accident, Cyndi Masters arrived at the hospital with collapsed lungs, crushed
ribs, her heart shifted to the left, the right side of her face ripped and serious spinal cord
and head injuries. Doctors weren’t sure she would survive, but Cyndi’s positive outlook
became her saving grace. You can reach her at cyndimastersiamtodayswoman.comIf you
would like to send Cyndi a question about dealing with your chronic pain, send it to
cyndimasters@iamtodayswoman.com.