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What Can Massage Therapy Really Do for Your Back
Pain?
By Steve Hefferon, CMT, PTA and co-founder of www.losethebackpain.com
If done correctly, massage therapy can work wonders for people with back pain. It may
not always be the best choice, and it may not work for everyone. But most people will get
great results if the massage therapist has a good understanding of the human body,
muscle imbalances, and how to work with them. A word of caution: Massage therapy
should never be considered a substitute for proper medical attention.
As a massage therapist for the past 10 years, I have watched massage therapy grow in
popularity and credibility to the point where the practice is now commonplace for those
who suffer from back pain. There is no denying the positive effects massage can have
on the body. Most massage therapists use a variety of techniques during a session,
such as energy techniques and stretching, along with traditional massage. The Touch
Research Institute at the University of Miami has coordinated over 100 studies that
document the therapeutic effects of massage. One study on massage and back pain
found that massage decreased back pain and depression while also improving sleep
and range of motion for most joints.
What to look for in a massage therapist
As in many other professions, there are varying degrees of training and qualifications a
massage therapist can have. It is up to you to find one who is trained in techniques that
actually address issues of back pain. Some of the more popular styles of massage for
back pain are: orthopedic massage, medical massage, and something called St. John's
Technique. It would also be a good idea to look for a massage therapist who has
comprehensive knowledge of muscle imbalances relating to back pain. Good luck finding
one, because they are rare.
How does massage therapy provide relief?
You probably have heard that massage improves circulation, right? But exactly what
does that mean? Well, throughout our bodies we have a clear fluid that circulates
around the body tissues called “lymph.” At the same time, we may have inflammation,
which is an immune response to injury or infection that causes pain, redness, heat, and
swelling in the affected area - in our muscles, around our muscles, even in our joints.
When lymph and inflammation start to accumulate in the body, the excess fluid will put
pressure on blood vessels and our circulation will decrease, limiting blood flow to that
area. As the pressure increases, it irritates the nerves, which will cause you to have
pain. By helping the body remove excess lymph and inflammation, massage therapy can
make your blood flow better, which will reduce the pressure that is irritating the nerves
and get rid of your pain.
And as if that were not enough, massage provides a number of other benefits: relaxing
the muscles, improved range of motion, improved sleep, and increased production of
endorphins, which will improve your mood. Is it any wonder you feel like a million bucks
after a massage?
Is massage all you need to get relief?
As helpful as it is, massage has a very limited scope and cannot fully address your
condition. It's great for removing inflammation and providing relaxation, but back pain is
a physical condition that requires a physical solution. Sure, a massage therapist may
stretch your body a little. But that's not a substitute for identifying muscle imbalances
and postural dysfunctions and then developing a very specific and very targeted action
plan to correct them and restore the body's harmony.
If massage is part of an overall plan that includes working with a trained expert in muscle
imbalances and postural dysfunctions, then you may be on to something. Unfortunately,
most people don't go this route. In my opinion, the ones who do will get the best and
fastest results.
Is massage right for everyone?
Of course not. There are a number reasons why massage might not be right for you.
Please review this list as you consider massage as an option.
1 Fever
2 Infectious Disease
3 Recent Operation
4 Skin Diseases
5 Varicose Veins
6 Cancer
7 Pregnancy
8 Cuts or Abrasions
9 Thrombosis 10 Heart conditions
11 Hypertension
12 Edema
13 Angina
14 Epilepsy
15 Bell's Palsy
16 Sunburn
17 Neuritis
18 On prescription meds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All massage sessions are one-on-one, which gives you the opportunity to converse with
the therapist as well as get the personal attention you need to get results. You can ask
questions about how you compare with other people. Feel free to ask the therapist what
approach he or she will be taking so you know what to expect. The massage therapist
has many different techniques to use to deal with your back pain, and some are better
than others.
Be aware that sometimes a massage therapist can get distracted with other problem
areas. It is in your best interest to keep the therapist focused on your back and
associated ailments. You may need to try several different therapists before finding the
one that works best for you - and with you.
Pain?
By Steve Hefferon, CMT, PTA and co-founder of www.losethebackpain.com
If done correctly, massage therapy can work wonders for people with back pain. It may
not always be the best choice, and it may not work for everyone. But most people will get
great results if the massage therapist has a good understanding of the human body,
muscle imbalances, and how to work with them. A word of caution: Massage therapy
should never be considered a substitute for proper medical attention.
As a massage therapist for the past 10 years, I have watched massage therapy grow in
popularity and credibility to the point where the practice is now commonplace for those
who suffer from back pain. There is no denying the positive effects massage can have
on the body. Most massage therapists use a variety of techniques during a session,
such as energy techniques and stretching, along with traditional massage. The Touch
Research Institute at the University of Miami has coordinated over 100 studies that
document the therapeutic effects of massage. One study on massage and back pain
found that massage decreased back pain and depression while also improving sleep
and range of motion for most joints.
What to look for in a massage therapist
As in many other professions, there are varying degrees of training and qualifications a
massage therapist can have. It is up to you to find one who is trained in techniques that
actually address issues of back pain. Some of the more popular styles of massage for
back pain are: orthopedic massage, medical massage, and something called St. John's
Technique. It would also be a good idea to look for a massage therapist who has
comprehensive knowledge of muscle imbalances relating to back pain. Good luck finding
one, because they are rare.
How does massage therapy provide relief?
You probably have heard that massage improves circulation, right? But exactly what
does that mean? Well, throughout our bodies we have a clear fluid that circulates
around the body tissues called “lymph.” At the same time, we may have inflammation,
which is an immune response to injury or infection that causes pain, redness, heat, and
swelling in the affected area - in our muscles, around our muscles, even in our joints.
When lymph and inflammation start to accumulate in the body, the excess fluid will put
pressure on blood vessels and our circulation will decrease, limiting blood flow to that
area. As the pressure increases, it irritates the nerves, which will cause you to have
pain. By helping the body remove excess lymph and inflammation, massage therapy can
make your blood flow better, which will reduce the pressure that is irritating the nerves
and get rid of your pain.
And as if that were not enough, massage provides a number of other benefits: relaxing
the muscles, improved range of motion, improved sleep, and increased production of
endorphins, which will improve your mood. Is it any wonder you feel like a million bucks
after a massage?
Is massage all you need to get relief?
As helpful as it is, massage has a very limited scope and cannot fully address your
condition. It's great for removing inflammation and providing relaxation, but back pain is
a physical condition that requires a physical solution. Sure, a massage therapist may
stretch your body a little. But that's not a substitute for identifying muscle imbalances
and postural dysfunctions and then developing a very specific and very targeted action
plan to correct them and restore the body's harmony.
If massage is part of an overall plan that includes working with a trained expert in muscle
imbalances and postural dysfunctions, then you may be on to something. Unfortunately,
most people don't go this route. In my opinion, the ones who do will get the best and
fastest results.
Is massage right for everyone?
Of course not. There are a number reasons why massage might not be right for you.
Please review this list as you consider massage as an option.
1 Fever
2 Infectious Disease
3 Recent Operation
4 Skin Diseases
5 Varicose Veins
6 Cancer
7 Pregnancy
8 Cuts or Abrasions
9 Thrombosis 10 Heart conditions
11 Hypertension
12 Edema
13 Angina
14 Epilepsy
15 Bell's Palsy
16 Sunburn
17 Neuritis
18 On prescription meds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All massage sessions are one-on-one, which gives you the opportunity to converse with
the therapist as well as get the personal attention you need to get results. You can ask
questions about how you compare with other people. Feel free to ask the therapist what
approach he or she will be taking so you know what to expect. The massage therapist
has many different techniques to use to deal with your back pain, and some are better
than others.
Be aware that sometimes a massage therapist can get distracted with other problem
areas. It is in your best interest to keep the therapist focused on your back and
associated ailments. You may need to try several different therapists before finding the
one that works best for you - and with you.
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Watch how Massage Experts work on low back pain in video clips: Susan G. Salvo: massage for low back pain Erik Dalton: Scoliosis and Back Pain Erik Dalton: SI joint Articular Stretch Giovanni Chetta: Low Back Pain Massage & Bodywork "CheMov" Psosas massage/Release for Lower Back Pain Relief |