Massage Chairs versus Drugs for Pain Relief

If you suffer from pain in the lower back for instance, what are your options for relief? In essences there are two paths you can go down. There is natural pain relief and there is pharmaceutical pain relief. Massage therapy is a natural method of pain relief used for centuries. Massage chairs provide an automated way for us to receive massage therapy versus taking a drug like methadone for pain relief.

If you suffer from low back pain for instance, what options do you have? You can follow a natural method of pain relief or an artificial. If you take the pharmaceutical path, then a typical drug for pain relief is Methadone.

Methadone is an opioid and used for medical treatment. It works directly on the central nervous system. What many people do not know is that it is a pain reliever for chronic conditions. In certain cases, a doctor will prescribe methadone for is low back pain.

The good aspect of methadone for low back pain relief is that it is effective for approximately 4 to 8 hours. By blocking the pain receptors of the central nervous system, patients can get pain relief during this time.

There of course is a downside of using methadone for low back pain. It may take up to a week for your body to rid itself of it. If you are taking the methadone, even on a daily basis, this medication will eventually lead to an increased dose and because it accumulates in the body and along with your resistance.

Beware of the side effects of methadone. Side effects can be respiratory depression, confusion, chest pain, heart rhythm irregularities, syncope, and/or hallucinations. Other side effects are weakness, drowsiness, nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, and a decreased sexual appetite. Be advised also that a pregnant or new mother who is nursing should not use methadone as it can be passed along to your baby by breast feeding.

Although methadone is an effective treatment in chronic low back pain, you may experience withdrawal when coming off of the medication. If you are using methadone as treatment for chronic low back you must be carefully monitored by your primary care physician. Methadone treatment should start out as low as possible to obtain relief.

Massage chairs provide an alternative to a pharmaceutical solution. Massage therapy helps the body to relieve and reduce pain naturally. Massage chairs target the soft tissues, joints, muscles, tendons of the body. By using several massage techniques, muscle stiffness, aches and pains can be significantly reduced.

Massage chairs use techniques such as kneading, tapping, vibration and air compression to help reduce stiffness and increase flexibility of the muscles. For the lower back, a rolling massage helps to adjust each vertebra helping to increase the elasticity of the muscles and soft tissues.

A massage chair helps to increase blood flow by stimulating the muscles. It elongates the muscles of the spine which helps increase your flexibility. A penetrating deep tissue massage works the muscles all the way through to the bones providing natural pain relief.

A massage chair by using a natural method may take a few sessions until it is fully effective. The lower back may be tender and sensitive and any initial massages may be uncomfortable. This is typical as the muscles and soft tissues become less flexible and rigid causing pain and discomfort. This lessens with repetitive applications.

In my opinion, methadone treatment for lower back pain should only be considered if other forms of treatment are ineffective. It should only be used as a last resort where all other treatments have failed. The high risk for addiction and potentially life threatening side effects can lead to a variety of other health difficulties. If you are suffering from chronic low back pain see your primary care physician to get the best form of treatment for your condition. Ask them about natural methods and see if massage chairs are right for you.

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