Healing Relief After Trauma
One woman discovers that massage goes deeper than pain relief
to foster inner well-being
Whiplash caused by two car accidents over the
past 15 years left Emily Tueting, 50, of Erie, Colo., with a neck
and back that easily get out of alignment. This, combined with
frequent travel, exercise and sewing projects that require bending
over means Tueting lives with recurrent neck and back pain.
She tried massage therapy years ago as a way to ease the pain
and tension in her neck and back and it worked for her, so she made
it a part of her lifestyle. Since then, she has discovered that
massage therapy brings many other benefits, too.
"Massage has helped improve my whiplash symptoms over time,"
says Tueting. "And it also really helps ease upper back and neck
muscle tension brought on by my various activities."
By communicating with her massage therapist, she learned that
the techniques that work best for her are noninvasive deep tissue
massage with very gentle myofascial release.
A self-described "Type A personality," Tueting learned that
massage therapy also combats psychological stress. In addition to
addressing the physical effects of stress she says it eases her
mind, which further relaxes her body. Tueting says massage therapy
is also her favorite way to relieve headaches holistically and
foster a sense of wellness. "I always feel so much better
physically after a massage, which is very rejuvenating mentally,"
she says. "For me, massages are the most obvious form of healing
touch.
"Massage is my favorite way of feeling totally pampered in a
positive and healing way."
-By Amy Lynn Smith