man with low back pain and migraine

Migraine and back pain: Should you get a massage?

Most people with migraine attacks are careful to avoid their triggers. Common triggers can include stress, hunger, caffeine, hormones, bright lights, and evan chocolate. Recent research has also added low back pain to the list. Both conditions can start out as dull, throbbing pain and quickly progress to an intensity

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woman getting a head and face massage

How to Relieve a Migraine and Jaw Pain With Self Massage

Imagine waking up to a throbbing headache that doesn’t seem to go away. You try to eat your breakfast, but as you start to chew, a sharp pain shoots up your jaw. As the pain subsides, your jaw feels tight and overworked with an ominous clicking noise every time you

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central sensitization and peripheral sensitization on the molecular level.

How Central Sensitization Affects Your Chronic Pain

Central sensitization describes adaptations that occur in the brain and the spinal cord in response to repeated stimulation on your skin. The increased responsiveness comes in two main forms: hyperalgesia or allodynia. These changes are often part of the course of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

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knee osteoarthritis pain massage therapy

How Massage Can Help Treat Chronic Pain

Chronic pain comes in many different types, including fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), joint pain, and headaches. By definition, chronic pain usually persists more than three months or many months and years. Oftentimes, it is more difficult to treat than acute pain because many factors influence the pain persistence

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kyphoscoliosis vs scoliosis

What is kyphoscoliosis and can it be treated?

Kyphoscoliosis is an extreme form of spine deformity where there is an excessive rounding of the upper spine (kyphosis) and side-to-side curve in parts of the spine (scoliosis). This type of posture tends to have the back appear crooked or have the lower part of the spine curve inward toward

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massage therapist athlete shoulders

Can Massage Squeeze Lactic Acid Out of Muscles?

Should you be concerned about the effects of lactic acid build-up in your muscles? If lactic acid really does what some people say it does, then you probably don’t want that substance anywhere near your muscular system. It’s an acid. It burns, which you can feel directly, and it causes

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difference between lactic acid and lactate, hydrogen ion donation

Difference between lactic acid and lactate

Ket takeaways Lactate is not an end product or waste product) of metabolism. Lactate has now been shown to be able to directly enter the mitochondria—it does not first have to be converted to pyruvate. Lactate does not cause fatigue for many people. Lactate does not cause pain. Lactate is

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massage therapist using massage gel to work on client's hand

The 6 Best Massage Gels

Some massage therapists don’t like the oils, creams, and lotions that often stain sheets and clothes. Also, some clients and patients don’t like the oily feeling after they receive a massage that can also get on their clothes. And so, massage gels are great substitutes for oils and lotions, but

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massage lotions, oils, and creams

Should you use massage lotion or oil?

When it comes to massage, there are two primary forms for lubrication: Oil and lotion. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Oil is best for protecting the skin’s moisture barrier and providing a smooth glide—especially during a full body massage or for those with dry skin. However, it can

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woman asking her doctor about pelvic pain

20 Causes of Pelvic Pain in Women and When to Get Help

Pelvic pain in women or anyone with a uterus can come from your digestive, reproductive, or urinary system. Several diagnoses share pelvic pain as a symptom, and pelvic pain could be caused by: Period cramps Endometriosis Pelvic inflammatory disease Cancer Kidney stones Diverticulitis Appendicitis Some STDs Ovarian cysts Ectopic pregnancy

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