Does your backache when
you’ve sat too long? Have you ever experienced a stabbing sensation when you’ve picked up something heavy? Do
you feel stiff after gardening or home projects? If so, you are not alone. Next to the common cold, back pain is the most
frequent complaint heard by doctors.
Research
and experience show that massage is a safe and effective treatment that can help your back heal and prevent further injury.
With massage, appropriate medical care and common-sense care, your pain can recede and your back can become stronger and more
flexible.
Pain in your back
Our modern lifestyle is
frequently the culprit in back pain. Long hours of sitting at work, home, or in cars can lead to an imbalance between weak
muscles and those that are chronically contracted. On top of that, tension and fatigue in back muscles are often aggravated
by the stress of a busy, demanding life. Tight, weak or tired back muscles are vulnerable to injury anytime you overdo it,
for example in the yard or at the gym. Sometimes it doesn’t take much. A sudden jerk or mild twist can cause lingering
pain.
Conditions such as fibromyalgia
or arthritis can also contribute to back pain. Other factors that increase the likelihood of back pain include physically
demanding work, pregnancy, accidents or falls, poor postural habits, and improper lifting.
Massage for back pain
Massage is well known for
kneading away tension and relieving pain in muscles that are injured or in spasm. It also relieved discomfort in surrounding
areas that may be tightening up or “guarding” in response to pain. Massage improves circulation, increasing the
flow of oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. This helps reduce swelling and accumulated toxins that can cause irritation.
When swelling and irritation are reduced, injured muscles and ligaments can heal faster with less discomfort. Massage also
promoted flexibility, increasing ease of movement and reducing the likelihood of future injury.
The role of alignment
Sudden trauma or chronically
shortened muscles and fascia (the muscles’ protective covering) can pull your joints out of alignment. If this is not
addressed you may have trouble healing. By stretching, lengthening and releasing shortened muscles and fascia, massage can
help your body return to normal alignment. Your massage therapist may also refer you to a chiropractor, osteopath or physical
therapist to help correct your alignment. Massage will complement those treatments by relieving chronic tension, leading to
more effective and longer-lasting results.
Stress and back pain
Research has shown that
people experiencing anxiety and depression can have significantly increased low-back pain. Simply feeling stressed or emotionally
overwrought seems to heighten sensitivity to pain. Discomfort that may have been merely an annoyance can begin to seriously
affect daily life.
With massage, your focus
turns to pleasurable sensations, allowing your mind as well as your body to deeply relax. As relaxation increases and your
nervous system calms, mental stress decreases and pain can fade away. A return to moving more freely with less pain may contribute
to healing.
A complement to medical care
The work of massage therapists
and other health professionals can be mutually supportive in bringing you pain relief and easier movements in your back. Massage
therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, as well as chiropractor, osteopathic and other physicians can
all bring unique skills to your assessment and treatment.
Be sure to tell your massage
therapist if you are taking medications or receiving treatments from other practitioners. If you are experiencing severe or
persistent pain, it’s a good idea to see your primary health care practitioner before receiving massage.
Meeting your individual needs
It is important to communicate
with your massage therapist. Each time you receive massage, your therapist will determine how to approach your session based
on what you tell him or her about your progress and pain levels.
A series of massages can
help an injury heal more completely, leaving you less prone to reinjury. Frequency of sessions will depend on the cause of
your pain and your response to massage. People often receive a series of sessions in the beginning to help a painful area
calm down. For the future, consider scheduling an appointment at the earliest signs of discomfort to interrupt the cycle of
tension and pain before it becomes a problem.
  
What else can you do?
Your massage therapist
may recommend other supportive measures for healing and pain relief such as specific stretched and hot or cold applications.
She or he may also help you evaluate your posture, breathing techniques, and sleeping position.
Relaxation techniques may
help prevent the buildup of stress, which often contributes to tension and pain. Your massage therapist may refer you to a
stress counselor if needed. You may find frequent, moderate exercise to be helpful such as walking, swimming, or exercises
that strengthen the back, abdominal and other postural muscles.
Pain relief with massage
Therapeutic massage is
a natural, noninvasive treatment that is effective because it can address multiple factors in your pain. It also powerfully
complements work with other health professionals to increase flexibility, correct alignment, and improve the function and
strength of your back. Massage can be one of your strongest allies in restoring and maintaining good back health and pain-free
movement.
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