When working through problems in your past, how important is it to get massages, chiropractic care etc.?

Question

I have a friend who went through some severe trauma, and then more recently grief, and she considers this kind of body work - reiki, massage and other physical care to be very valuable, when you are in effect throwing off psychological and psychic burdens. Have you heard of anything like this before?

Answer 1

Massage, chiropractic adjustments, or learning relaxation techniques can be of great benefit to a distressed person.

Stress can come at us from all sides. Healing from trauma or grief with the help of a counselor is also a stressful time as you turn your mind toward the emotional pain you are feeling so intensely.

Getting through all the physical symptoms that accompany distress can be a challenge -- also there is great difficulty in getting a good night's sleep. Your head and neck or back may ache frequently from all the tension, as you transfer your distress from your mind to your emotions and your muscles. Sometimes too, your digestive tract has difficulty working properly, too with all the stress you're experiencing.

Finding a way to calm your muscles down, to massage, to relax will relieve some of your physical pain. Your constant tight muscles can also throw your back or neck "off" causing pain -- this is why some chiropractors will use heat or massage to help settle it down for you, so your pain can be relieved through adjustments of the spine to get your body working all together.

I also found benefit in being tested for allergies during my physical and mental problems. So very much of my daily pain and restricted movements were rooted in an allergic reaction I was having to my food.

My therapy would only progress so far because of presence of depression that would not go away. Getting proper medication from a psychiatrist was a necessity, because parts of me just plain don't make what is needed to function.

Now these days my needs are far less, and my health and mental health are greatly improved -- thanks to the professionals who aided my sorry body through a time of such pain and distress.
It's great to be functional once again!

Massage can do wonders.

Answer 2

I have not, but I can see where she's coming from. For me, I carry stress in my back, which makes it hurt all the time. I go to a chiropractor who offers relief, but I have never considered this part of my mental health training.