Why do people suffer in pain?

 So many people complain about pain on a daily basis and as a Massage Therapist it's part of my job to listen to it. However, pain doesn't have to be part of your life, you choose to have it there. This, I understand is a very strong statement however there are soooo...many different alternative treatments these days that I believe, if you truly want your pain decreased or gone, you can make it happen. I'm not saying all pain is curable but for the vast majority of pain sufferers, you suffer unnecessarily. There are 3 main reasons why people make the excuse of not treating it and make their lives miserable.

    1. MONEY - it always comes back to money..."If I had a million dollars I wouldn't have to suffer". I understand that THIS is usually the number one reason that holds people back from fixing themselves, but I ask you this...

    Scenario 1: Your child gets injured badly, how much would you spend to fix them? If someone, said it's going to be $2000 to fix your child to the best they will get, would you do it?

    Scenario 2: You find out that your cute little fluff ball has a tumor in their stomach and the surgery will cost $2000. They are in otherwise good health and they are only 5 years old. Would you do it?

    Scenario 3: You go out to your garage and try to start your vehicle and it won't start. After getting it towed to the shop and cabbing it to work, the shop calls and says it's going to be $2000 to fix your car. The way car prices are these days, used and new, good luck trying to find an alternative for under $2000. So what would you do?

These are all common occurrences and we don't blink to spend what we need to for everyone else and our vehicles. WHY????? Why do we not spend money on ourselves? Do we not deserve it? Would it not be better and make you happier to get rid of or drastically reduce your pain?

 

     2. LACK OF EFFECTIVE TREATMENT - many people say "I've tried EVERYTHING" and nothing works. In some cases they have tried a lot but, to be honest, most people have tried everything that is covered under their extended health benefits and have exhausted them so in their mind they can't do anymore. Let's look at treatments: 

    1. Physiotherapy is always the classic one that most doctors refer for so most people listen and do as they suggest. I have seen people have success with good physiotherapists but on the whole people with chronic pain don't get a lot of relief from physiotherapy.

    2. Chiropractic is another common and often effective tool to improving the quality of someone's life but a lot of people have had bad experiences with chiropractors. I say, try it again...find a good one. One that doesn't expect you to have perpetual treatments for weeks on end. A good one will suggest you come in more frequently at the beginning until your body begins to hold things in place then you can decrease the frequency. As with Massage Therapy, you have to find one that matches your needs. They can be very effective at decreasing pain especially once the nervous system is firing the way it should be.

    3. Massage Therapy is only as effective as the therapist. I am biased but also realistic enough to know that there are a lot of ineffective Massage Therapists out there. If you find the right one that can work specific enough to "dig" out your muscular issues then this is a VERY effective pain relief tool. We are based out of Orillia and are both very effective at getting rid of muscular restrictions (book here).

    These three are the classic ways to go because they are covered by extended health benefits but they are all based on the effectiveness of the therapist. What about other forms of treatment?

    4. Acupuncture  - yes it's alternative and yes it involves "needles" but it is a very effective treatment for pain management. The needles are so minute that if that's your holdback then try it face down so you don't see them or simply close your eyes. Most practitioners are very gentle and patient so let them know about your apprehensions and give it a whirl! What have you got to lose?

    5. PoNS Therapy - This is a unique and highly effective form of treatment for the body. I have not tried this myself but have seen it's extreme effectiveness with one of my clients. It brought her from barely functioning to functioning almost normally. The downside of it, is its cost; it is VERY expensive.

    6. Matrix Repatterning -  This is my alternate area of expertise. It is a newer form of treatment (new being 30 years old) but highly effective. I have heard many people say "it's hokey" but it is a scientifically backed form of treatment (which is more than we can say for Acupuncture) that irons out the tissue's matrix. That is to say, it undoes restrictions within the tissues including bone and organs. It is a whole body treatment because one area can effect the rest of your body. For more information click here.

These are just a few alternative effective treatments for managing/fixing pain. Have you tried them all? There are SO many alternative forms of treatment that you couldn't possibly have tried them all.

      

                 3. LIFE DISRUPTION -  Many people say "I don't have time to fix my pain". To me you're not in enough pain to stop and fix it. If you were in that much pain, you'd MAKE time. People are horrible at making time for themselves. This is what I hear "I can't take time off work because I can't afford it" except that once you're in so much pain you won't be able to work so why push yourself to that point? Take the time and FIX it now!

                    

          So now I ask you, which of these pertains to you? All of them? Stop making excuses! Take charge! Put yourself first for a change! The money...you'll figure it out...you would for your kid, pet or car so figure it out for yourself!!! Deal with your pain and live a better, happier fuller life!