The Best Medicine You’ve Probably Never Tried.
The Best Medicine You’ve Probably Never Tried.
By James Porter
About 20 years ago, I finished my first book, STOP STRESS THIS MINUTE. I remember celebrating quietly with a sense of accomplishment, but also with a growing sense of discomfort I couldn’t ignore. One day, while heading to a yoga class at my local YMCA, I ran into a fellow classmate. She looked at my posture, noticed the funny tilt of my head and neck, and asked, “Are you OK?”
I knew her from yoga, but I didn’t know she was a massage therapist. I told her my shoulders and neck were killing me and that holding my head up straight was becoming increasingly difficult. Looking back, it’s no surprise—writing a 40,000-word book on an IBM Notebook computer (smaller than a modern laptop) had me slumped over for hours a day, six days a week for six months.
She guaranteed she could help, and I started seeing her once a week for about two months. Sure enough, the pain disappeared and never returned. That experience left a lasting impression: massage therapy wasn’t just a luxury—it was a real solution for real problems.
Fast forward to this past week, I was at a farmer’s market in Westport, CT, where a massage therapist had set up a chair offering 10-minute sessions for $10. It’s a real bargain, and whenever he’s there, I sign up. Lately, I had been experiencing a tingling sensation down my left arm to my fingertips. Curious, I asked him about it. He immediately suggested I probably had a pinched nerve in my neck and even named the vertebrae likely involved.
It amazed me how quickly he diagnosed the issue—and he was right. I knew because during a recent bird-watching walk, whenever I tilted my head back to look at treetops, the tingling worsened. While the sensation had gone away by the time I visited the market, his instant understanding of my body reminded me of how knowledgeable massage therapists really are about pain and musculoskeletal issues.
Here’s why I’m sharing these stories: massage therapists truly understand pain—often better than many doctors. They can identify tension patterns, posture problems, and underlying musculoskeletal issues that many people don’t even realize they have. Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, (aka, over-the counter and prescription remedies for pain that often DON’T address the root of the problem) massage therapy can be tailored to your body, your history, and your needs.
Over the years, I’ve been surprised at how often people say they’ve never had a massage—or that they would never go to a massage therapist. Many assume it’s only a luxury, a treat, or an indulgence. But as I’ve experienced firsthand, massage therapy is preventive, corrective, and restorative. It can relieve pain, improve posture, reduce stress, and even help you move more comfortably and confidently.
So, if you’ve been hesitating, consider giving massage therapy a try. Even a short session can help you notice tension you didn’t realize you were holding, and consistent sessions may prevent issues before they become painful. Massage isn’t just pampering—it’s an investment in your health, your body, and your well-being.
Next time you pass by a massage chair at a farmer’s market, a local studio, or a wellness center, think of it as more than a luxury. Think of it as a chance to care for your body in a meaningful, informed way. After all, your muscles—and your nerves—will thank you.
Erica Tuminski
Author