Massage Therapy For Back Pain

Consider getting massage therapy for back pain if you suffer from it. For several years, lower back pain plagued me. Massage therapy helped me so much.

Speaking personally, back pain relief is worth all of the gold in the world to those who suffer from it. Back pain is no stranger to the vast majority of us. We all experience it from time to time. Many experience back pain each and everyday. According to Human Resource reports in the United States, back pain is one of the biggest reasons why employees call in sick.

A backache can be debilitating, keeping you in bed and unable to think of much else except the pain.

The causes are many. I have listed a few common ones:

Your sleeping position, especially if your back is twisted while you sleep

Unsupportive, uncomfortable mattress

Your sitting position

Non-ergonomic chair

Sitting too long

Injury from a hit or kick to the back

Injury from a fall

Using incorrect body mechanics in movement or to lift something

Bending over

Reaching

Too much activity

Not enough activity

Sports injury

Poor posture/slouching

The back holds the weight of the upper body. The spinal column is in the center of the back with 30 vertebrae, discs, other bones, nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

There are a few things you can do to lessen or prevent back pain and bring some much-needed back pain relief.

First, if you are overweight, try to do drop those extra pounds. The excess weight puts a strain on your back as well as your other body structures. I know how hard it is to lose weight, but to get some back pain relief, it is worth skipping some delicious foods.

Use good body mechanics all of the time. For example, do not bend over from the waist to pick something up that you have dropped. Instead, squat down, bending your knees, and pick it up. Stretch your muscles before exercising or doing anything strenuous, like housework or yardwork.

Exercise your abdominal muscles to strengthen them. There are many types of treatment for back pain relief, but most cannot be administered by a massage therapist.

Here is a list of some of the options you have when you seek back pain relief:

Chiropractic treatments

Physical therapy visits

Hot and cold compresses

Exercise

Drugs--both prescription and over the counter

Injections

Acupuncture

Surgery

Massage therapy for back pain

Yes, massage therapy for back pain really can bring relief! Usually there is a reduction in pain during the first visit. Massage can take away the pain, in some cases after just a few visits.

Different studies have shown that massage alleviates backache. I have personally experienced this.

Massage reduces muscle tension and cramping and it increases circulation.

Start with effleurage to warm up the tissues, followed by petrissage, to milk out all of the impurities trapped in the muscles.

Cross-fiber friction on the affected muscles will break down adhesions and fibrosis.

Deep friction is especially helpful along bony areas such as the spine and the crest of the ilium.

Active and passive stretching are beneficial in increasing your range of movement.

There are some conditions that will prevent you from having a massage when you have back pain:

If you have had a recent trauma or accidental injury and have not yet seen a physician

If you have pain with a sudden onset or if the pain occurs 24 to 72 hours after an accident

If you experience atrophy, dizziness, or numbness

For the above, see a physician first. Once you get clearance from the physician for massage, make an appointment with your massage therapist.

Getting massage therapy for back pain without physician clearance could leave you in worse condition than before the massages began.

If you have any type of problem with your vertebrae, discs, sacroiliac joints, or intervertebral joints, you should not have massages without physician approval.

Massage therapy for back pain can be a safe and effective treatment to provide relief, promoting relaxation of the muscles and high client satisfaction--less or no pain!

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