Massage has long been known to carry significant benefits for individuals of all ages and genders. However, you may not know just how beneficial it can be for someone who is recovering from an addiction to drugs, alcohol or other substances. Recovery massage can help with the detox process, ease pain or provide other benefits that can aid in your long-term success. Remember, you can’t fight addiction on your own, so it’s critical to take a holistic approach that uses a variety of tools to help you stay on the right path.
What Is Recovery Massage?
Recovery massage uses many of the same massage techniques as a typical massage that you might get for fun while on vacation. Depending on your physical condition, it might be appropriate to get a deep tissue or Swedish massage that targets specific muscle groups. However, if you experienced muscle or nerve damage due to your drinking or drug use, a gentler approach may be needed, such as lymphatic drainage.
Ideally, you will receive a therapeutic massage from a professional who understands the needs of a person in recovery. These massage services can be a great addition to your overall recovery process.
There are a number of primary benefits of massage to a recovery massage such as pain relief, relaxation and a sense of self-care. It also massage helps to reduce chronic pain. Of course, it’s important to remember that massage in itself is not a cure for your addiction. Instead, it’s a tool that you can use to keep yourself in check when you might be stressed, anxious or otherwise tempted to use again, contributing to your overall well-being and quality of life. You may find that certain modalities of massage, paired with physical therapy, are most effective.
The Benefits of a Recovery Massage
Although the reason for a recovery massage may be different than a typical massage, the benefits are largely the same. For example, if you experience joint or muscle tightness, massage can help to relieve and manage it without the need for pain pills, marijuana or other traditional pain relief methods. Bodywork, such as massage, can also address adhesions that may be contributing to discomfort.
Getting a massage can also improve your mental health as it helps you relax and get better sleep. As a general rule, adults should strive for about seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Otherwise, you may be at a greater risk of mental health issues, be more accident prone or suffer other negative consequences that might impact your recovery.
You may also notice a greater awareness of your body as well as reduced cravings for drugs or alcohol as a result of a massage. Ideally, you’ll incorporate regular massage into a larger routine that may include going to support groups, seeing a therapist for individual sessions or other steps to enhance your recovery.
How Recovery Massage Works
A massage can help to release endorphins, which can help to improve your mood. This is largely why you will feel relaxed, less likely to crave drugs or alcohol and otherwise feel better about yourself. By manipulating the soft tissue, massage can also address areas of tension and discomfort. For instance, trigger point therapy can target specific knots within the muscles. Additionally, massage can help to release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs. Ultimately, when your body is in a good state, your mind will be in a positive state as well. The reverse is also generally true where it is easier to feel better about your body when you are in a good mood.
Integrating Recovery Massage into Addiction Treatment
When beginning any massage therapy regiment, you want to make sure that you are given a thorough assessment. An assessment may determine what your goals are such as increasing blood flow or range of motion or figure out if there are any issues that your massage therapist needs to be aware of.
After your assessment, an individualized treatment plan should be created. For instance, you may benefit from myofascial release to help ease pain or otherwise enhance your recovery. The plan may also include specific times of day or days or the week that may be best for your needs. For example, if you have trouble waking up in the morning, it may be best to have massages in the afternoon when you’ll benefit most from them.
It’s also important for your massage therapist to consult with other members of your wellness team when creating an overall program. For example, you may have started using because you were touched inappropriately, which means that your massage therapist may trigger you if touched in the wrong areas. Meanwhile, your doctor may have greater insight into what types of massage might aid in muscle recovery or otherwise meet your specific needs.
Your medical professional might also have greater insight into which areas of your body need to be handled with greater care. For instance, if you suffered nerve damage to your hands or feet, a masseuse will ideally avoid those areas or be gentle when addressing them. Otherwise, you might feel intense pain, which could trigger a craving or counteract the benefits in other ways.
Finding a Qualified Massage Therapist
There are a couple of things to consider when choosing a massage therapist to partner with. First, you want to consider the professional’s credentials, which include what school this person went to as well as any other professional certifications obtained since graduation.
It’s also a good idea to think about how much you trust the person who will be working with you for the next several weeks, months or years. In many cases, addiction robs you of your ability to make good decisions, so you may be doubting yourself as well as others in your life.
Therefore, it’s extremely important that you feel good about anyone who you add to your overall recovery team. Your doctor, therapist or others in your network may be able to give you the names of those who are qualified to help. You may also be able to spend time talking to a prospective massage therapist about your needs and expectations before a session takes place.
Contraindications and Precautions
If you have any open sores, infections or an ongoing skin condition, a massage could make them worse. The same could be true if you are on blood-thinners or other medications that might cause problems if your body is not handled properly. If you have organ damage or similar issues, you should disclose them to anyone who is going to be providing a massage.
Prolonged use of drugs or alcohol might weaken your immune system, which means that you could have a viral or bacterial infection that is contagious. It’s not safe to be in close contact with anyone during this time as exposure to skin, blood or saliva in any amount can potentially spread your illness.
If you are currently going through withdrawal, your body may be more sensitive to touch. You may also be more sensitive to light and sound, which means that you’ll want a quieter and darker room to ensure that you have a pleasant experience.
In most cases, you’ll be asked to disclose any known health issues prior to working with a massage therapist. You should also provide a list of any medications that you’re taking as well as any preferences that you might have as it relates to how or where you want or don’t want to be touched.
While a recovery massage is not used for the same reasons as a sports massage or deep tissue massage, it can be beneficial to your health. It’s important to note that massage on its own is not a cure for your addiction and can only help relieve muscle tension or take care of other mental or physical health issues.
Conclusion
If you are in need of recovery massage or know someone who may benefit from it, feel free to contact the folks at Synergy Sobriety today. We can also provide more information about our other services as well as how you or a loved one can enroll in a program today.