Physical Therapy
Learn how physical therapy can help you manage your pain, so that you can live your best days.
My Role
I do not offer physical therapy, but I think it is important. In the context of pain management, I offer three primary services: Pain Management Massage, Pain Management Coaching, and Massage Instruction.
- Pain Management Massage: As your massage therapist, I want to help your brain identify patterns of safety, reduce central sensitization, and feel wonderful.
- Pain Management Coaching: As your pain coach, I am here to teach you pain neuroscience education, inspire you to have hope, and encourage you to search for and develop SIMs.
- Massage Instructor: As your massage instructor, I want to teach you ways to self-soothe and integrate massage and wholesome touch into your everyday life.
Pain Neuroscience Education
I will help you to the best of my ability within my scope of practice, but I am not the only resource you can draw upon for help. Certain levels and types of injury and pain may require the assistance of a physical therapist.
When you are seeing a physical therapist be active in your treatment, engage with them, ask questions, and learn. They have a wealth of information, so try to make the most of your time with them by scouring their mind for as much knowledge as you can retain.
Your treatment time with them is to help you relearn how to move and experience your body. The more techniques, exercises and knowledge you collect from them, the more tools you will have to use in the future.
What is a Physical Therapist?
A physical therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating movement-related pathologies to help restore function, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life. They play an important role in helping people avoid unnecessary surgical and pharmaceutical interventions.
Biopsychosocial Pain Model
Pain management massage and physical therapy both utilize the biopsychosocial pain model. This is the belief that tissue damage is not the only source of pain; pain can also be influenced by biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
This opens the door for bidirectional benefit, meaning the energy you invest into your physical therapy treatments will improve the benefits of your massage and vice versa.
There are three primary ways to integrate massage therapy and physical therapy into your pain management routine.
- Pre-physical therapy massage: A pre-physical therapy massage is when you receive a massage prior to your physical therapy treatment. This can help reduce stress and anxiety, thereby reducing central sensitization, and help prepare the body for movement. The massage may be invigorating or soothing, depending on your needs and the guidance of your PT.
- Post-physical therapy massage: A post-physical therapy massage occurs after your PT session. It may be used to help reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness and soothe discomfort, reinforce positive sensory input, and increase your likelihood of remaining actively involved in your recovery process.
- General Wellbeing: Not everyone can schedule their sessions immediately prior to or after a PT session. In these instances, a pain-management massage can serve as a hybrid of pre- and post-physical therapy.
Next Step
Physical Therapy and skilled hands-on care often work well together. Pain management massage can complement the work you are already doing in physical therapy by easing protective tension, supporting a greater sense of safety in your body, and encouraging movement to feel more approachable.
If you would like to explore how massage can support your recovery, you are welcome to learn more about pain management massage and book a session.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this website, including, but not limited to, educational materials, pain neuroscience explanations, treatment suggestions, and any other content shared during sessions, classes, or coaching, is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
You should always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you receive here.
Jennifer Brand Spa
Pain Management at 2717 Hwy K, O’Fallon, MO 63368