If you suffer from back pain – you are not alone! According to Georgetown University, nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode. 8 percent of all adults experience persistent or chronic back pain.
Back pain can range from minor muscle spasms resulting from exercise to constant, chronic, debilitating pain. Therapeutic Massage can provide much-needed relief from painful symptoms. But, you might be asking yourself… “How can Massage help back pain?” or “What type of Massage works best?”
4 Ways Massage Can Help Back Pain
Massage is a safe, therapeutic, and non-invasive therapy with various benefits. Massage Therapy is widely accepted as a way to relieve temporary and chronic back pain. In addition, massage can even improve the underlying issues causing pain.
Massage Therapy can help in many beneficial ways – here are four:
1) Discovering The Underlying Issues Causing Pain
An experienced Massage Therapist can assist you in discovering the possible root causes of your back pain. They may even suggest specific exercises, stretches, or lifestyle changes to help relieve back pain symptoms over time. Massage Therapists can also help you identify when you should see a doctor, Chiropractor, or other specialist to treat more serious underlying issues.
2) Increase Blood Flow
Massage Therapy encourages blood flow to the affected areas of the back. Most importantly, it can speed recovery, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. This is especially true with pain caused by physical activity or an injury.
3) Increased Endorphin Release
Endorphins are the natural compounds within the body. They produce a sense of happiness and well-being within the brain. Most importantly, they can reduce pain and relieve anxiety. Certain types of Massage, like Acupressure / Shiatsu and Trigger-Point Myofascial Release, are well known to increase endorphin levels. This can help you feel better and speed up the healing process within the body.
4) Muscle Tension Relief
Muscle tension can cause limited movement and range of motion, especially around the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Massage Therapy encourages muscles to relax, unwind, and release, which increases flexibility and reduces associated pain.
Best Types Of Massage For Back Pain
There are many different types of Massage Therapy, and choosing the right one can be confusing. All types of Massage have benefits, but some are more effective at treating specific issues. Here are the top three we recommend:
1) Trigger Point / Myofascial Release Massage
Trigger Point Massage, or Myofascial Release Massage, is generally perceived as the best for lower back pain and soft tissue injuries. A Trigger Point Myofascial Release Therapist utilizes alternating levels of focused pressure on specific tension points. This encourages muscle spasm release and relaxation. Pressure is applied to points of tension with knuckles, fingers, elbows, and sometimes tools for ten to thirty seconds, then relaxed.
This type of Massage Therapy promotes the release of lactic acid while encouraging blood flow and oxygen. There can sometimes be temporary soreness following this form of Massage. However, most clients experience reduced back pain and increased range of motion within 24 hours after their session.
2) Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage utilizes many techniques similar to Swedish Massage. However, much more pressure is applied to the affected muscles.
This form of massage allows your therapist to work on tightly held muscles and scar tissue that could be the root cause of back pain symptoms. As with Trigger Point Massage, some clients experience soreness following this type of therapy. However, Deep Tissue Massage relieves muscle tension, especially in the neck and back.
3) Sports Massage
Sports Massage also utilizes deep pressure. An experienced Sports Massage Therapist will incorporate advanced range of motion and stretching techniques to alleviate pain and release spasmed muscles.
Don’t be fooled by the name, though. You don’t need to be an athlete to get a Sports Massage. It is extremely beneficial in helping to alleviate back pain caused by any form of physical activity or soft tissue injury.
Finding The Right Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy can be important to your back pain treatment and recovery plan. Because of this, It is important to find an experienced Massage Therapist that can provide the highest quality therapy.
With so many advertised massage services, it can be hard to tell where to turn. Researching a massage therapist’s qualifications, experience, and specialties is key to making an educated decision.
Are you currently looking for the right Massage Therapist to help with your back pain? We are happy to help. Feel free to book an appointment, and if we don’t have a therapist that fits your needs, we’ll point you in the right direction.
