What makes Stephen Opper with Asheville Pain and Performance a good neighbor?

In a recent episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, host Skip Monty welcomed Stephen Opper, owner-operator of Asheville Pain and Performance. Their conversation revealed fascinating insights into the world of medical massage and bodywork, while highlighting the profound impact this therapeutic approach can have on chronic pain and injury recovery.

Stephen clarified an important distinction that many people misunderstand: the difference between relaxation massage and the medical bodywork he practices. While both fall under the broader category of manual therapy, Stephen's work focuses specifically on pain relief, injury recovery, and physical maintenance. This approach shares more similarities with physical therapy than with the spa-like massage experience many people envision. As Stephen explained, "Massage just tends to give a little bit more of the idea of a nice relaxing experience, you know nice music, scented candles, that sort of thing, which is wonderful, but it's a little different from what I do." This distinction helps potential clients understand exactly what type of treatment they might receive at Asheville Pain and Performance.

What made the conversation particularly compelling was Stephen's personal journey through pain and recovery, which fundamentally shaped his professional practice. After injuring his back at age 22, just as he was completing his training in Tui Na (the bodywork component of Chinese medicine), Stephen experienced years of chronic pain that conventional approaches couldn't fully resolve. He reached a plateau where he was "mostly pain-free" but still experienced debilitating episodes several times a year. The breakthrough came when he decided to "take his own advice" and seek specialized help – only to discover he had disc bulging on his spine, which left him bedridden for three weeks and unable to work full-time for nearly a year.

This experience forced Stephen to reevaluate everything he thought he knew about pain and healing. "Some of the things I know are correct and some of them are clearly incorrect," he reflected. "What did I understand correctly and where were the big blind spots I'd been missing?" This process of discovery not only restored his own health but transformed his approach to helping clients. Today, Stephen reports that his back is in better condition than before his injury, which gives him profound insight into the healing journey he guides his clients through.

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the conversation was Stephen's message of hope for those living with pain. Many people accept pain as an inevitable part of life, especially as they age, but Stephen challenges this assumption. "For most people, there's a way out of pain," he asserted, drawing from both personal and professional experience. While he acknowledges that sometimes pain can only be diminished rather than eliminated, his journey demonstrates that healing can continue "beyond where I thought was an acceptable plateau." This perspective offers encouragement to anyone who has settled for living with discomfort because they believe nothing more can be done.

The conversation concluded with Stephen's invitation for listeners to reach out through his website at AshevillePainAndPerformance.com or by phone at 828-231-5031. For those in Western North Carolina or East Tennessee struggling with pain or recovering from injuries, his practice offers a path toward improved function and comfort. As Stephen wisely advised, "If you haven't got what you need, keep looking, because it's probably out there." This encapsulates the hope he offers to clients – that with persistence and the right approach, healing is possible.

To learn more about Asheville Pain and Performance go to:

https://www.ashevillepainandperformance.com/

Asheville Pain and Performance 

(828) 231-5031