Will A Massage Help Back Pain

How To Relieve Lower Back Pain With Massage Therapy

Massage therapy, over time, can help relieve your back pain and prevent it from coming back. While the best thing you could do is see a licensed massage therapist, there are some massage therapy techniques that you can have a loved one try in the meantime until youre able to have a professional work on your pain. As with any at-home massage therapy or stretching techniques, make sure you are being gentle with your backyou dont want to accidentally do more harm than good.

Massage Techniques To Ease Back Pain

Back pain comprises about 40% of work absences. Since your back carries the most weight and physical stress, it can cause strain on the back muscles and ligaments supporting the spine. Back pain, tension, and stiffness can limit mobility and affect the quality of your life. Symptoms may last up to 6 weeks or less or as long as 3 months . In some cases, back pain can be described as insufferable, interfering with your daily social roles and activities as it can increase pain or cause further injury.

Although bed rest and application of heat or ice can help improve the symptoms, massage for back pain offers a better solution that helps relax your tired and sore muscles.

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Research On Massage Therapy

A July 2001 survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association found that the number of adults receiving massages from a massage therapist more than doubled since 1997.

Most healthcare providers are recognizing massage therapy as a legitimate aid for lower back pain and an effective adjunct to lower back treatments. Fifty-four percent of healthcare providers say they will encourage their patients to pursue massage therapy in addition to medical treatment.

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A study on massage and back pain conducted at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami in 2001 found that: Massage lessened lower back pain, depression and anxiety, and improved sleep. The massage therapy group also showed improved range of motion and their serotonin and dopamine levels were higher.

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Massage Therapy Training Program

Massage therapists are trained and respected health care providers who work closely with patients and other health care professionals. While attending the Carrington College massage therapy training program, students study a wide range of massage therapy techniques as they prepare for a career in the healthcare field. If youre interested in learning more about how you can help others feel better through massage therapy, please contact us today. Carrington College offers massage therapy programs, as well as other healthcare degree programs, at campuses throughout the country.

When Massage Therapy Is Contraindicated

The presence of certain underlying conditions and/or the type of massage administered may cause serious adverse reactions or potential health risks to some individuals.

• Hot stone massages may not be suitable for people who have impaired sensitivity to heat and cold, or those with inflammatory conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, due to the potential risk of aggravation of the underlying condition or burn injuries.5
• Massage may not be recommended while recovering from heart conditions.11
• Massage therapy is not recommended in people with metastatic cancer , especially around the area of the tumor.11

While prenatal massage administered by a trained professional is considered safe for pregnant women, the stimulation of certain pressure points and the use of specific essential oils may rarely induce labor.

It is important to consult a licensed and experienced massage therapist to provide treatment. A licensed therapist has special training in massage therapy and can recommend the type of massage needed for the specific type of back problem. Physical therapists and chiropractors may also have special training in massage therapy.

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Common Types Of Massages For Treating Lower Back Pain

Depending on the treatment goals, different types of massage therapies may be considered. Each massage type works on a different principle to manipulate the tissue and produce the desired effects. While some techniques use light pressure and strokes, others use heat or knead deeper to stimulate the inner layers of tissue. Professional massage therapists are trained in different types of techniques and may sometimes use a combination of techniques to deliver massage treatment.

Trigger points are taut bands of muscle tissue that are highly sensitive and induce pain when stimulated.

How To Give A Back Massage

With just a few tools and some basic massage techniques, you can give a back message to a friend or family member or even show them how to give you one. Heres a video about giving a lower back massage:

Keep in mind that you should never apply pressure directly to the spine. Only use gentle pressure to avoid injury and discomfort.

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Does Massage Help Back Pain

There is a lot of published research that demonstrates massage can help back pain. The American Massage Therapy Association points to the research to support the belief that therapeutic massage is effective for persistent low back pain and able to provide long-lasting benefits. The benefits of back massage include the following:

• Reduces or eliminates pain
• Assists with easing feelings of stress and anxiety
• Speeds up the return to normal activities
• Supplements conventional treatments, like taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers and applying ice or heating pads

A physical therapist or a massage therapist can provide therapeutic massages. A physical therapist will include massage as one element of a treatment plan that may include activities like light exercises and stretching. If the low back pain is due to muscle strain, many people find a massage therapist on their own. The massage for muscle strain is often all it takes to experience pain relief.

Massage Therapy Relieving Tension

A massage, on the other hand, is performed by a licensed massage therapist who applies direct pressure to soft tissue or muscle groups to relieve pain and promote healing and wellness. Unlike chiropractic treatment, massage treatment focuses solely on the stimulation of muscles and is not used to treat pain associated with the spine, joints or tendons.

There are multiple benefits to massage therapy including relaxation, increased energy and mood enhancement. Many find that receiving a massage following chiropractic treatment can promote additional healing and decrease discomfort and inflammation after treatment.

Both of these options can be used to treat temporary, situational or chronic pain. Not sure which treatment is right for you? Listen to your bodys pain points. In either scenario, talk with your doctor to determine if these options are right for you. If you cant afford a chiropractor or a massage specialist due to health insurance, check out our plans to see how Priority Health can help you ease your back pains!

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When Should I Contact A Doctor

Though some soreness is a common side effect of deep tissue massage, it should not last more than a day or two. It should also not keep you from moving about regularly. If you experience pain beyond this, you should contact a doctor.

In some cases, an injury may occur during treatment. If you feel sharp pain associated with injury during massage, end the session immediately and contact a doctor for further action.

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Can Massage Therapy Hurt More Than Help Your Back Pain

Dealing with chronic back pain can require a customized treatment plan that involves a combination of different treatments.

A popular treatment option that can help reduce back pain is massage therapy. However, in some cases, massage therapy can make back pain worse if the condition you are suffering from requires other treatment. In these situations, massage therapy will not be effective in reducing back pain and can even make it worse.

Before deciding if massage therapy is the right treatment for your back pain, talk to your orthopedic doctor about the condition causing your back pain and whether massage therapy is a viable option for you. Lets take a look at what massage therapy is, which type of back pain it is effective in reducing, and which types of back pain it cannot treat.

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The Benefits Of Massage Therapy For Back Pain

Are you looking for new ways to help ease your back or neck pain? The growing popularity of massage therapy has many sufferers of chronic back pain taking notice. After all, just about anyone can get a massage. And, studies show that more people than ever before are benefiting from the advantages of massage therapy.

How To Massage Your Own Lower Back Pain

Did you know that with only a few pieces of equipment, you can perform your own massage to ease lower back pain? Here is how you can do it:

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Do Massages Help Treat Lower Back Pain

• Hooman Melamed, MD

A massage is a pleasant way to relax and relieve stress, but did you know that massages can also be a great treatment for lower back pain? Massage therapy has been used throughout human history in both Eastern and Western cultures, and it was one of the earliest methods that humans used to relieve pain.

How A Massage Can Help Back Pain

Massage therapy is recognized as a legitimate aid for easing back pain in healthcare. One study found that 88% of people that had received a massage found that it was an effective treatment for pain. Over 47 million people received a massage in 2018. The average person that did got four massages that year.

If you are suffering from pain in your back and have tried other treatment methods to alleviate it, the next thing you should do is get a massage. Massages help improve blood circulation to help sore muscles recover from physical activity, and they also relax muscles, which helps to release any knots or spasms in them.

Muscle spasms can be excruciating, and they are usually caused by a lack of blood flow to the problem area. If the muscle isnt getting enough blood, it isnt receiving sufficient oxygen. When there isnt enough oxygen, lactic acid is produced. The buildup of lactic acid causes soreness after physical activity.

When the muscle becomes relaxed, it will release the lactic acid, allowing the muscle to receive enough oxygen and blood. This massage therapy will cause mild pain when it is done, but this is good pain. In addition, the pressure provided by the massage therapist will help alleviate the spasm.

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What Are The Causes Of Pain In The Neck And Back

Causes for Neck Pain

Medical experts and healthcare professionals list lifestyle habits like bad posture and sleeping habits as the chief cause of neck pain. They also cite repetitive motion which further causes tendinitis and bursitis as another chief cause.

Causes for Back Pain

Lower back pain can be very painful and can last for days. When muscles in the lower back area are torn or injured, the entire area gets inflamed. This leads to spasms, severe pain, and even difficulty in moving. Inflammation in the upper back muscles can arise due to lack of nutrition

While many experts recommend massage therapy to reduce neck, shoulder, and back pain, it is a complementary therapy. For massage therapy to be completely effective, it has to be combined with other active measures like correcting your posture, exercising and practicing yoga.

Omicron Effect: Why Are Patients Experiencing Back Pain

Back pain has been a common symptom of viral diseases, however, now we are seeing a surge in the case of severe back pain, especially in Omicron patients, even after recovery. Though back pain is common in viral fevers, as compared to the Delta virus, Omicron patients tend to have more back pain and less loss of smell and taste. Lately, its been witnessed that these patients are having back-breaking pain in the lower back and severe myalgia which is adding to the patients woes. It is a well-known fact that myalgias are commonly seen in viral infections. Covid is not an exception but we are seeing more cases of back pain with Omicron even after recovery which patients label as weakness. However, since data on Omicron is limited and gene sequencing is costly, the reason is difficult to explain. Maybe it is related to inflammatory mediators in the body which are released in excess in this variant, but to prove or disprove this hypothesis we need more studies and data for the same

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Precautions To Consider Before Booking A Massage

While massage is generally considered a safe, effective method for addressing many different issues, there are some considerations everyone with a complex health history should consider.

The following is a list of precautions or contraindications :

The above list contains just some of the conditions that bear consideration when getting a massage. Talk to your doctor if you have any specific questions about whether or not a massage is a good option for managing your back pain.

Difficulties In Massage Research

Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available for back pain. Conventional treatments include hot packs, stretching and strengthening exercises, physical therapy, acupuncture, traction, epidural steroid injections, medications, spinal manipulation, nerve block therapy, and surgery. One remedy that is becoming more widely accepted by the medical community is massage therapy.

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Massage Research Going Forward

Ultimately, more research is needed to confirm the effect of different massage types on back pain over the long term. This can help bridge the gap between research and clinical practice by massage therapists. There are many different massage techniques, such as Swedish Massage, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Deep Tissue, and Reflexology among others. Some massage styles may have more of an impact on back pain than others. However, there is no denying the findings so far are encouraging.

Massage is a less intrusive treatment option that carries little risk for the patient. At the very least it is something physicians and physical therapists should consider strongly before recommending surgery, which should only be used after other therapies have failed. Also, there are many potential benefits to massage beyond back pain reduction. As more research is conducted, well have a better understanding of how massage fits into a more holistic approach to healthcare, and how it can be applied to help different patients.

Side Effects Of Massage Therapy

Rarely, some individuals may experience aggravated symptoms or new symptoms after their massage session. In a study that included 100 participants, approximately 10 participants experienced short-term side effects that included some combination of9:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Increased soreness in the massaged areas

For most people, these side effects do not affect normal activities at home and/or work and typically resolve in a day or two after the massage.9

The probability of side effects after a massage typically depends on10:

• The ability of the patient to tolerate the pressure administered during the massage
• The intensity of force exerted by the therapist
• The patientâs tolerance to pain and bruising

Some individuals may also develop allergic rashes to the massage oil.10

Ongoing communication between the massage therapist and patient throughout the massage session can help reduce the risk of side effects or temporarily increased symptoms. Pain experienced during a massage should always be within tolerable limits.

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Can Massage Make Back Pain Worse

While many people experience pain relief from massage and research studies support the benefits of this therapy, other people dont. They either dont feel any improvement or the pain may actually get worse. Why is that?

For best results, get a massage for an experienced, registered massage therapist rather than your partner. Registered therapists have in-depth training and knowledge on the best ways to manage back pain in a safe way.

Always tell the therapist if you are feeling uncomfortable or the pain is getting worse during the massage session.

Some people are more sensitive to pain than others. Some may have higher levels of inflammation in the body than others. In both cases, a deep tissue massage may hurt and aggravate the pain, but they could benefit from light pressure massage.

When Is Massage Therapy Recommended For Back Pain

Massage therapy may be a good option for treating and managing back pain in the following situations:

• As an alternative to potentially addictive pain medications, especially in mild to moderate cases
• As a pain management supplement before and/or after a surgical procedure
• As a complementary therapy to other forms of treatment
• To enhance psychological and physical well-being during recovery from a procedure
• As a basic stress reliever for ongoing chronic pain management

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