“If You Talk About This, They’ll Come After You…”
By: Forrest Richardson of Senior Touch Massage Professionals
My mom said something to me recently that stuck.
She told me…
“If you get the word out that massage treats arthritis, the medical complex will have you assassinated.”
I laughed.
But I also understood what she meant.
Because underneath that statement is something real:
A concern about stepping outside what people have been taught to trust.
We’re Conditioned to Follow a Certain Path
Most people have been guided into a very specific way of thinking about pain:
Get imaging
Receive a diagnosis
Follow a treatment protocol
“You need an X-ray or MRI.”
“We see arthritis.”
“We see bone spurs.”
From there, the next steps tend to follow a familiar pattern.
But what’s often missing is a deeper look at why the body is responding the way it is.
The Body Is Not Random
The nervous system is constantly prioritizing what is safe and stable.
When the body experiences irritation…whether from fatigue, overuse, or minor injury…it responds in predictable ways:
Inflammation increases to initiate healing
Swelling adds support and stability
Muscles contract to protect the area
Pain signals limit movement to prevent further damage
This isn’t dysfunction.
It’s a coordinated response.
Pain, in many cases, is the body’s way of asking for time, space, and support to heal.
Rethinking What We See on Imaging
When someone hears “arthritis” or “bone spurs,” it often creates concern.
But these findings don’t always tell the full story.
For example…
Calcium deposits…often labeled as bone spurs…can be the body’s attempt to reinforce areas that feel unstable.
That doesn’t automatically mean something is broken.
It can mean the body is adapting.
Similarly, tension across a joint can create compression.
That compression can affect circulation and hydration of tissues.
And when tissues are dehydrated or under stress, discomfort follows.
A Different Way to Look at It
Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with the joint?”
A more useful question might be:
“What is the body trying to protect or compensate for?”
Because when we understand that…
We can start to support the process instead of working against it.
Where Massage Fits In
The goal isn’t to override the body.
It’s to assist it.
That means:
Reducing unnecessary tension
Improving circulation
Supporting more balanced movement patterns
Allowing tissues the space to recover and rehydrate
When tension decreases, circulation improves.
When circulation improves, tissues receive what they need.
And when that happens, the body can begin doing what it was designed to do…
Heal.
So Should We Be Concerned?
I don’t believe there’s anything dangerous about helping the body function better.
But I do understand why it can feel that way to some.
Because it challenges what many people have come to expect as the normal approach.
And stepping outside of that can feel uncomfortable.
Final Thought
The body is not the problem.
More often than not, it’s responding intelligently to stress, strain, or instability.
The question isn’t whether we can silence the symptoms.
The question is whether we can understand them…
And support the body in resolving them.
Still have questions?
Call (508)319-9568
No pressure. No obligation. Just a conversation.
