Living with Chronic Pain - and How Massage Can Help
- Emily Brown
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
Chronic pain is a term we hear a lot, but it’s often misunderstood. It doesn’t just mean pain that lasts a long time — it refers to pain that continues beyond the normal healing time of an injury (usually 3+ months), and it often exists without a clear cause. For many people, it’s an ongoing part of life that can affect everything from energy to sleep to mood.
What is Chronic Pain, Really?
“Chronic pain” is a blanket term, not a single diagnosis. It includes a wide range of conditions and experiences. Some of the most common chronic pain conditions include:
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Migraines or Tension Headaches
Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Long Covid/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Chronic Back or Neck Pain
Nerve-Related Pain (Neuropathy, Sciatica)
Post-Surgical or Post-Injury pain that lingers
Hallmark symptoms of chronic pain often include:
Persistent aches, burning, or sharp pain
Fatigue and low energy
Sleep disturbances
Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
Muscle stiffness or tension
Flare-ups that worsen pain for hours or days
What Treatment Looks Like
Most people living with chronic pain don’t get a “cure.” Instead, treatment focuses on
managing symptoms, especially during flares. That often includes a mix of:
Physical therapy and stretching
Stress reduction and mindfulness
Gentle movement (like yoga or walking)
Medication or nerve blocks
Behavioral therapy and pain neuroscience education
A major focus of chronic pain care is helping the nervous system feel safe again. Over time, the brain can get caught in a loop, perceiving non-dangerous signals as threats — leading to pain even when there’s no injury.
Learning to retrain the brain and body, practice self-compassion, and respond to pain signals with calm awareness is an important part of recovery.
How Massage Can Help
Massage therapy can be a powerful part of chronic pain care — not as a miracle cure, but as a supportive, regulating practice. Here’s how it helps:
Reduces muscle tension that can build up from bracing against pain
Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (your rest-and-digest state)
Improves circulation, which helps with inflammation and tissue health
Supports better sleep by calming the body and mind
Increases body awareness, helping you tune in to what feels good
For many people, massage is more than physical relief — it’s an opportunity to feel cared for, grounded, and reconnected to their body in a positive way.
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