How Does Massage Help With Back Pain?
 

Massage Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

 

Massage therapy is widely used as a treatment for back pain and back injuries, both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term). It is considered an effective form of complementary medicine. Acute back pain generally lasts between 4 to 6 weeks. This type of low back pain usually responds well to massage. Chronic back pain has been lasting longer than three months. For many people, the aches and pains are present on most days and are a constant source of discomfort. Some people have chronic back problems that affect their quality of life over and above the physical symptoms.

 

Studies show that patients with chronic back disorders undergoing regular massage therapy had less depression, anxiety, tension, anger, fatigue, emotional distress,  and a greater sense of well-being. They also reported back pain relief, improvements in sleep and back flexibility, better overall health, less stiffness, and more energy.

 

Massage Benefits for Chronic Back Pain Relief

 

The most important benefit of massage for back pain is that it has no negative side effects. When prescribed by your doctor or back specialist massage therapy can improve back flexibility and mobility without the risks associated with back surgery or medications. Massage can help you to achieve optimal support for your back muscles through muscle release techniques and deep tissue massage. A trained professional masseuse can be instructed to focus on specific areas of tension within the back which could be contributing factors to back problems such as sciatica or scoliosis.

 

Running through the back muscles, the sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body. It provides sensation to several parts of the lower body including hips, thighs, buttocks, and legs. If you are experiencing back pain from a damaged or pinched sciatic nerve your back specialist will recommend massages that address back tightness surrounding the problem area as well as massage for back strain.

 

Massage may not be able to eliminate chronic back pain completely but regular treatments can help reduce general discomfort and improve mobility. A back specialist will prescribe massage therapy designed to target an injury site or focus on specific areas such as the gluteus muscle group. This type of treatment works out knots in overused back muscles and can reduce swelling caused by inflammation. The back specialist can also recommend reflexology back massage.

 

If you are worried about side effects from back surgery or medications you may consider scheduling regular back massages with a skilled back treatment professional to improve your quality of life and reduce chronic back pain while waiting for the right time for back surgery. If you have tried back surgery and it didn't work then you should talk with your back doctor about trying medical massage which has fewer risks.

 

Back Surgery Vs Massage Therapy Pain Relief for Chronic Back Pain

 

Medication options used to treat chronic back pain include anti-inflammatory painkillers, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. For some people, these prescription medicines provide adequate relief but once the effect wears off they often must rely on back surgery to relieve chronic back pain symptoms.

 

Massage therapy is a more natural back injury solution that doesn't have the negative side effects of back medications or back surgery. Even if back pain persists after a back-related medical intervention, regular massage can help you to cope with uncomfortable aches and pains and still lead a normal active life.

 

BACK PAIN RELIEF MASSAGE THERAPY TECHNIQUES - HOW MASSAGE HELPS WITH BACK INJURIES

 

For acute back injuries, lower back pain relief massages are designed to relax muscles in the mid-back causing tightness or strain. Muscle tension caused by training errors could be contributing factors for acute back problems such as sciatica.  Your back specialist can recommend massaging your back after a workout to help relieve back stress.

 

All back specialists will prescribe back pain relief massage for post-operative patients experiencing back pain from structural back injuries such as scoliosis, slipped discs, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. A physical therapist or back doctor can also provide recommendations on rehabilitation exercises and ways back treatment professionals can help you work toward regaining strength and mobility in your back following an injury.

 

Takeaways
 

If you suffer from chronic back pain, or just want to feel your best for the new year, it may be time to consider adding massage therapy into your wellness routine. Massages can not only help treat existing aches and pains but also prevent them by reducing muscle tension in key areas of the body. There are many different types of massages that will work well depending on what your needs are- find out more about each type!  We’ve got a whole list of blogs with information about how we use these techniques at our practice so check those out too!