Posts Tagged ‘ back massage

Is Massage Therapy a Good Way To Treat Back Pain?

Of the many different causes of back pain, one of the most common involves damage to the muscles of the back.

Pain associated with an injured muscle is often short-lived. Muscle sprains from overuse, stress and overextension generally heal within a week. The muscles of the back can, however, experience long-term injury. If a muscle is constantly strained, tense or weak, a serious injury can develop that effects more than the muscle itself.

Fascia is a connective tissue that serves many functions in the body, one of which is to surround and protect muscles. Muscular fascia, or myofascia, becomes inflamed when it is near a damaged area. Inflammation is an attempt by the immune system to flood compromised areas of the body with chemicals that promote healing. Chronic inflammation, however, is harmful.

Inflamed myofascia causes severe muscle tightness and pain. Symptoms of this condition include sciatica, headaches and a limited range of motion due to the muscle restriction.

Massage therapy is often used to relieve muscle-related back pain. This non-invasive treatment alleviates pain caused by short-term muscle damage and long-term myofascial inflammation.

How Massage Therapy Works

Massage can stretch out tensed fascia and press inflammation fluids out of the area. Massages also relaxes tensed muscles. This reduction of tension and inflammation greatly decreases back pain. Massage also releases endorphins that boost mood and modify pain perception.

When massaged, the flow of blood increases and tissues like fascia become more pliable. This helps to restore proper functioning to the area.

Massage therapy was adopted from Chinese tradition. It was founded on the theory that the body contains energy fields that become blocked, and that massage can loosen blockages. Some practitioners still perform massages with the intent of balancing the flow of energy throughout the body.

Finding a Massage Therapist

Your search for the right massage therapist should begin by asking yourself what results you are seeking. Massage can serve many functions, and not all therapists perform every kind. Do you want stress management, energy balance, pain management, realignment therapy or injury treatment?

Another factor to consider is cost. If you’ve obtained a referral from a doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist or osteopath, your insurance may cover the bill.

Masseuses generally earn by the hour. Rates vary widely between different regions, but the University of Minnesota estimates the national average at $60.00 an hour.

If you are seeking occasional relaxation, maintenance or energy balance, one session a month may suit you. For stress management, two sessions a month is recommended. If you are require pain management, one session a week is suggested.

Before, During and After the Massage

Before:

Take a hot shower to loosen the muscles of the back.

It is generally a bad idea to eat just before a session, since lying on a full stomach while pressure is applied to your back can be uncomfortable.

During:

Remember to breathe. When painful areas are pressed upon, the discomfort can lead you to unwittingly hold your breathe. Remind yourself to breathe, since oxygen must be delivered to the massaged area.

Speak up. If something makes you uncomfortable, whether it is the pressure applied or the fact of being touched, communicate this feeling with the massage therapist. The more the therapist knows, the better he or she can help you avoid discomfort.

After:

It is important to stay well hydrated for 24 hours after receiving a massage. Massage releases toxins that must be flushed out of the system before they begin to recirculate.

Take a bath to prolong soothing effects by keeping your muscles loose.

Try it Out

Massage can reduce inflammation and repair muscles. If you’re suffering back pain due to muscle damage or myofascial inflammation, massage therapy may be a vital component of your treatment plan.

Keep in mind that massage can improve the health of the back in a number of ways. Aside from its effectiveness, massage has the benefit of being pleasurable. Not often do we encounter medicine that we can enjoy; massage can please your body and your mind.

How to Give a Great Back Massage

Most people hold much of their tension in their back, neck and shoulders. Back pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain suffered by people today. Massage therapy can help relieve the pain and stress in the back. Once that pain and stress is eliminated, you’ll feel much better and more relaxed.

Massage helps loosen tightened muscles relieving muscle tension. It helps break up adhesions in muscle fibers and helps relax knots. It pushes wastes out of the tissue and helps move nutrients into it.

Besides the effect massage can have on your muscles, it can also help decrease stress hormones and increase your body’s production of feel-good hormones like dopamine. It slows your heart rate and decreases blood pressure. It helps calm the nervous system and relaxes the mind.

You can use lotion or an all natural oil to give the therapy. Almond oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil are all good choices. You can also use olive oil. Natural oils will nourish the skin and won’t clog pores.

When you give a back massage make sure you’re relaxed during the therapy. The person you’re working on will be able to feel any tension you have in your hands.

During the therapy don’t work over the spine. Doing so could cause pain and injury to the spinal area.

Always communicate with the person you’re working on to make sure you are using pressure that is appropriate for them.

Let’s look at two basic massage techniques you can use the next time someone you know complains of an aching back.

Effleurage is the foundation stroke for many massages. This long, gliding stroke can be done with your open hand. It is used to spread lotion or oil and warm up muscle tissue. Starting from the low back simply place your open relaxed hands on either side of the spine and glide them upward toward the shoulders. This stroke is slow and gentle. Repeat this stroke several times during the beginning of the massage to cover all areas of the back. As you use this stroke notice the areas of the back that feel tighter than others. During the massage return to effleurage between other strokes.

Petrissage is a kneading stroke that is used to increase the blood flow deep within the belly of the muscle. It’s done with alternating hands. Just find an area on the back that feels particularly tight to you. Start with both hands flat on the area you want to work on with the thumbs and index fingers touching each other to form a triangle. Start with the right hand and grasp and lift the flesh. As the right hand releases perform the same action with the left hand. Repeat this action several times to loosen the muscle.

Armed with these two basic strokes you can give a great back massage.