Treating Beyond the Pain

Client: Why are you treating that area when it’s not where I told you it hurts?

Practitioner: Everything is connected!

Pain is a complex sensation – firstly, it’s invisible, so how we feel pain is unique to the individual. Even the way we think about pain can change our perception of what we feel. But pain is very real, and in some cases, it may not be immediately obvious why something is hurting. Treatment itself may need to target more than ‘just’ that sore spot you are feeling. Sometimes the source of your pain may feel localised to one specific spot, but the triggering cause may be coming from somewhere else in the body. This could be related to tight muscles, an inflammatory response from injury, nerve irritation, a sensitized nervous system, or underlying imbalances. You may have acute pain, chronic pain, referred pain, inflammatory pain…and pain doesn’t always mean injury. Also, pain relief isn’t always the best way to determine if you are healing from injury either! So, yes, it’s complex.

Luckily, you’ve got a team of health professionals available who can offer various treatment approaches at Feel Amazing Chatswood. Our experienced practitioners offer a holistic approach to care, which means they are treating the body (& you) as a whole. We understand that everything really is connected, so we can work out where to target the best treatment, which will provide you with the best possible outcomes. 

So, why and how do we treat those painful areas you tell us about? At Feel Amazing, we offer a variety of services including Massage Therapy, Chiropractic, TCM Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Cupping and Naturopathy. We all want relief from pain and body discomfort, to reduce muscle tension, and addressing the cause of pain early is the best way to prevent ongoing symptoms.

If you are experiencing pain, make a booking with us today.

Now, let’s look at why we might treat other areas of your body when you have a painful spot.

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapists often treat areas outside of the immediate painful spot because pain and tension can have a ripple effect throughout the body. Here’s why they might focus on areas away from the primary site of discomfort:

1. Referred Pain: Sometimes, pain is felt in a different location to where it may be coming from. For example, tight muscles in one part of your body might cause discomfort in another area. Treating related areas can help alleviate this referred pain.
2. Muscle Chains and Compensation: When a muscle or joint is injured or strained, other muscles might overcompensate to protect or support the affected area. They then become overworked. This can lead to tension and discomfort in seemingly unrelated parts of the body. Addressing these compensatory areas can help relax them, restore balance and reduce overall pain.
3. Improving Circulation and Reducing Tension: Massage in general improves blood flow which can help the affected area heal more effectively. Reducing tension makes your whole body feel better.
4. Holistic Approach: Massage therapists often use a holistic approach, considering the body as an interconnected system. They might address various areas to promote overall wellbeing and balance, rather than just focusing on the symptoms. You may also have other areas that are tight, but you didn’t realise it – ever noticed how you can move so much better after a massage?

By treating these interconnected areas, massage therapists aim to provide more comprehensive relief and support the body’s natural healing processes. By reducing pain signals, relaxing a reactive nervous system, and through the release of feel-good hormones, having a massage can result in reduced stress, improved sleep, a better functioning lymphatic system, and bring you back to the present moment, all of which is essential for our overall health and wellbeing.

Acupuncture

Ever wonder why your Acupuncturist inserts needles in areas that don’t seem related to where you’re feeling pain?

1. It’s All About Energy Flow
   In Acupuncture, it’s not just about where you’re feeling pain—it’s about how energy (or “Qi”) flows through your body. If one part of your body is out of balance, it can disrupt the energy flow in other areas too.
2. Connection
   Think of your body like a complex map with lots of interconnected routes. Sometimes, issues in one area can impact others in unexpected ways. Acupuncturists use a network of points to address these connections, which are located throughout your body.
3. Boosting Your Body’s Healing
   By stimulating various acupuncture points, your practitioner can help enhance circulation, reduce inflammation, and kickstart your body’s natural healing processes. It’s a bit like turning up the volume on your body’s self-repair system.
4. Holistic Approach
   Acupuncture takes a holistic approach, considering the whole body rather than just the symptoms. By treating different points, your Acupuncturist is working to restore balance and overall wellbeing, not just addressing the immediate discomfort.

Research suggests acupuncture works on a physical and emotional level in the body. This occurs through balancing the energy levels in the body. It is thought that there may also be neurological reasons for this as well, possibly due to the points where muscles, nerves and connective tissues can be stimulated, increasing blood flow and releasing the body’s natural pain killing substances.

Chiropractic

If you’ve ever had a Chiropractic adjustment and noticed your chiropractor working on spots that don’t seem directly related to your pain, it might seem a bit puzzling. But there’s a solid reason behind it! Here’s why chiropractors might focus on areas beyond the immediate site of discomfort:

1. Addressing the Root Cause
   Pain isn’t always localized to the area where you feel it. Often, discomfort in one part of your body can be linked to issues elsewhere. For instance, a problem in your lower back might be connected to tension or misalignment in your upper back or neck. By treating these other areas, Chiropractors aim to address the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.

• Improving Overall Alignment
  Your body is a complex system of interconnected parts, and misalignments in one area can affect others. Chiropractors work to ensure that your entire spine and musculoskeletal system are in proper alignment. Adjusting areas that seem unrelated can help correct imbalances throughout your body and support overall spinal health.

• Enhancing Function and Mobility
  Sometimes, issues in one area can affect the function and mobility of surrounding areas. For example, if your spine is out of alignment, it can impact the movement of your ribcage, shoulders, and even your hips. By treating multiple areas, Chiropractors can help restore proper movement and function across your entire body.

• Reducing Compensation and Strain
  When one part of your body is in pain or misaligned, other parts may compensate, leading to additional strain and discomfort. Chiropractors often treat these compensatory areas to relieve strain and prevent the development of secondary issues.

• Promoting Overall Wellness
  Chiropractors take a holistic approach to health. By addressing various areas of your body, they aim to promote overall wellness and balance. Treating multiple areas can help ensure that your entire body functions more efficiently and comfortably.

So, if your Chiropractor is working on spots beyond where you’re feeling pain, they’re likely aiming to improve your overall alignment and health, not just targeting the immediate discomfort. It’s all part of a comprehensive approach to getting you feeling your best!

Naturopathy

Naturopathy offers a holistic approach to treating pain, focusing on the body’s natural ability to heal. The focus being on not just the symptoms but the underlying causes of pain.

1. Herbal remedies

Herbal remedies are the original medications and there are many herbs that possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. As an example, you may have heard of turmeric and ginger for reducing inflammation. It is important to note that Naturopaths can prescribe products that are TGA approved, and practitioner recommended, so you know there is research behind the product being prescribed.

• Nutrition and diet

A well-balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can significantly impact pain levels. Naturopaths often work with clients to make dietary adjustments to help them manage conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

• Lifestyle modifications

Reducing stress can alleviate tension-related pain and improve overall health. While the relationship between adequate sleep and pain levels is also well known.

Treating pain from this natural perspective helps improve your health and regain quality of life.  

Connection and support from your practitioners

At Feel Amazing Chatswood, we focus on alleviating your pain, but we also take a comprehensive approach to support your overall healing journey. Everything really is connected!