Is Massage Recommended for SCI Patients?

After a spinal cord injury, one of the most common results is pain. Besides living with pain, you may also be dealing with muscle spasticity or atrophy, paralysis or paresis, and many other forms of discomfort. One way that people cope with pain and stress, especially if you are looking for a non-addictive therapy, is through massage. Is this a viable option for an SCI patient? Let’s take a look at massage with the idea of its function as a SCI treatment, so you can determine if this therapy is right for you.

What Benefits Does Massage Have as a Spinal Cord Injury Treatment? 

Massage can have dramatic benefits for SCI patients when it comes to both physical and mental health, as recent studies show. Since there is a link between physical and mental health, these results make sense. Massage has the ability to provide many benefits that can help a person physically and emotionally. Just a few of these benefits include:

• Pain relief – Massage can help to relieve the muscle knots that occur when a person is less active. While regular exercise is crucial for SCI recovery, massage can help with the pain that comes from reduced overall activity. 
• Stress relief – Getting a massage is a relaxing experience. This can help to release hormones in the body that combat stress hormones. 
• Improved circulation – Circulation issues are common following an SCI. Massage can help increase blood flow to the soft tissue. 
• Better range of motion – This is crucial for patients living with paralysis. You want the optimal range of motion in the muscles you can activate. 
• Improved muscle function – By reducing spasticity and sending blood to the muscles, massage can help stave off muscle tone loss and may help improve function.
• Relaxation – A massage can be a nice break from the stresses of daily life and help you relax a little mentally as well as physically.

Clearly, massage has its place when it comes to seeking out suitable spinal cord injury treatment. However, the question may arise: What type of massage is best? After all, you can get a massage from a loved one that helps you to relax. However, you can also seek out the help of a massage therapist to increase the medical benefits. Finally, some therapists specialize in deep tissue massages that use more pressure than an average massage. Which one is right for you? 

Choosing the Right Form of Massage for Your Spinal Cord Injury Treatment  

What type of massage will you choose in order to get the benefits of massage for SCI patients? The main difference in the varying types of massage is the amount of pressure the muscles and soft tissue are subject to. In this sense, relaxing forms of massage are likely to be more beneficial than deep tissue massages. Why is this the case?

Deep tissue massage can cause minor internal bruising. This entices the body to send even more blood to the area to promote healing. It can be beneficial in a person who is not dealing with a chronic injury. However, for those who are recovering from an SCI, you need to be careful to avoid anything that can promote inflammation in the body. Deep tissue massage, especially if the therapist gets too close to the injury, could actually aggravate some of your symptoms.

While severe or long-term injury from a massage would be extremely rare, remember that the goal is to feel better, not worse. So avoid using deep tissue massage for spinal cord injury treatment. Instead, go with a licensed massage therapist who specializes in Swedish massage or other relaxation massage techniques. You can also have your spouse supplement with relaxing that will provide additional physical and mental relief. 

Discussing Spinal Cord Injury Treatment with Your Doctor 

Of course, your doctor will know your specific circumstances and can help you to make the right decision regarding which therapies to seek out or to avoid. Therefore, you should always discuss your options with your doctor before adding or taking anything away from your current recovery program. Your doctor can help you to weigh the benefits and any potential risks when it comes to different forms of care. 

If you are working with an activity-based therapy center, you can also discuss the options that are available to you with them. Your physical therapist will also see the progress you are making and will be able to offer advice on what treatment options can provide you with the most benefits, both now with your current recovery, as well as moving forward with long-term care. 

Getting the Spinal Cord Injury Treatment You Need 

At iAM ABLE in Miami, we are used to working in harmony with an SCI patient’s doctor to ensure you get the best care possible. This allows us to incorporate the best therapies for your prognosis. Additionally, we appreciate the link between physical and mental health. That is why we try to help SCI patients to prepare mentally for the recovery journey. One way that we do this is through our eBook, 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis. 

We encourage you to download this eBook today to supplement your SCI recovery journey. In it, you will discover some crucial steps to take that will help you to accept your new reality faster so that you can thrive despite the challenges that lie ahead.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.