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.

When massage therapists finish school and begin working, they might not immediately think of developing their skills for a niche market – after all, massage school is just the beginning, and you learn some of your most invaluable skills on the job! While most massage therapists focus on perfecting their Swedish and deep-tissue skills before moving on to advanced modalities, it is always a good idea to continue to think about how you want to develop your massage career. This way, you can take the classes and training necessary to develop your specialty early on.

Making the Most out of Continuing Education

Throughout the nation, massage therapists must abide by a professional licensing code that requires continuing education in areas such as communicable diseases, CPR training, ethics, and general education. While many massage therapists take the minimum number of courses, or pick available courses close to home that are convenient or inexpensive, it is important to take advantage of this educational opportunity, and pick classes ahead of time that align with your specific interests.

For example, students who have considered furthering their massage career within Reiki, neuromuscular massage therapy (NMT), or medical massage should consider that these modalities require several lengthy and in-depth courses, and can take several months, or years to fully complete. And while the process toward this type of certification is indeed more time consuming than, for example, a weekend class in hot stone technique, it is a step toward a worthwhile skill that not only boosts a resume, but also brings in new clients, helps massage therapists market themselves more effectively, and lays the groundwork for a lengthy and profitable massage career.

Start by browsing different continuing education options offered at schools in your immediate area, as well as regionally. Educate yourself about the time requirements, cost, and specific details about each modality, and truly consider what it takes to become a seasoned professional in that field. This way, you can maximize your time and money on required continuing education courses.

Sports Massage, Reiki, Pregnancy Massage, and More

When you envision yourself working as a massage therapist several years down the line – where do you see yourself working? In a chiropractor’s office? For a ballet troupe, football team, or running club? Maybe in a holistic center, spa, or independent practice? Every massage therapist enters the profession for various reasons, and it is important to understand what excites and motivates you about a massage career. Some massage therapists are particularly athletic or interested in sports, and it is this type of therapist who is most often attracted to sports massage. Therapists who enter this practice often work with athletes before, during, and after sports events to prevent injuries, and to treat existing injuries.

Medical massage encompasses several techniques, and can include sports massage, craniosacral therapy, and NMT. Medical massage and its associated practices are often performed by therapists with an interest in injury treatment and prevention as a full time massage career. Other massage therapists gravitate toward energy healing, such as Reiki, which is purported to create a healing effect physically, mentally, and spiritually. Therapists who hold an interest in Reiki may also be interested in acupressure, or aromatherapy. Therapists who wish to expand their practice to accommodate pregnant clients may be interested in becoming certified in pregnancy massage, which enables massage therapists to understand and perform a medically appropriate massage for a mother-to-be.

Whatever your interest for a long-term massage career, there are continuing education training courses available to further your chosen specialty. Again, think about why you want to pursue a specific specialty, and what you think it will give back to you and your clients. Do you see yourself utilizing the specialty skills for years with your clients? If so, carefully consider with whom you will spend your time and money. Find the right program and begin another educational journey. You and your clients will benefit from your endeavors as you pursue your preferred niche in the vast world of advanced massage education.

Certification and Training

Finally, sometimes continuing education classes and experience aren’t the only thing massage therapists need to practice a specialty in the field. Check with your state licensing board to ensure you have met the minimum credit hours for a special modality. To date, there is no licensing body for Reiki, but it is required to have achieved a “Level III” status in order to promote yourself as a Reiki master in your massage career.

Likewise, pregnancy massage is not governed by an accredited body, but most continuing education providers will not issue a certification until the student has completed a minimum number of credit hours, typically supported by graded exams, practical sessions, and homework. For certification in neuromuscular therapy massage as a career, massage therapists must take continuing education courses, schedule and sit for an exam, and receive a score evidencing competency in the field. The school or instructor of an advanced massage therapy specialty should be able to explain any applicable certification requirements.

Finding a specialty is an excellent step for massage therapists in their long term career, as it not only enables them to become well educated and better able to treat clients, but exposes the therapist to a whole new field of massage, and its benefits. So if you’re considering developing a specialty, do your research, ask questions, and have fun learning about how you can further your massage career while helping your clients.

Sometimes our body needs a tuneup and massage therapy is a great way to treat several types of ailments. Not all therapists are the same however and you might need to check out a few that offer the right treatment for you. There are many services and treatment options to choose from so some research should be done ahead of time before you commit to someone. Where do you begin. You can check your local phone book, yellow pages directory or the internet for services in your area but often a referral is the best way to seek out a good therapist. Talk to your co-workers, friends and family to see if they can recommend someone in your area.

You need to determine what ailments are you dealing with and can a massage therapist help relieve them. You want to make sure your needs are addressed during a session to get the most effective treatment. Sometimes you have to try out a few places before you find someone you are comfortable with. If you do your research and ask the right questions this might eliminate some of the time and energy checking out multiple massage services. You want to develop a relationship with this person who is going to bring you the relief you need. Some questions you should ask yourself:

Do I need therapy to relieve emotional or physical stress?
What areas do I need the therapist to focus on?
Am I suffering from specific or general aches and pains?
What types of massage are offered?
What do they specialize in?
Is the person licensed for this service?
How much do they charge per session?
What types of experience do they have and how long have they been in business?
Can I receive therapy within my time schedule?

To get the most effective and proper treatment, make sure you are working with a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). These are people licensed and properly trained to practice in this industry. They are recognized by extended health plans and treat multiple types of physical ailments.

For over 5 years I have wondered about the potential benefits of massage for bowel & bladder problems. Not just for constipation but for all problems of this nature.

I knew that massage had a well-documented positive aspect on our stress levels and overall well-being. However, research related to bowel & bladder problems was limited. You will certainly find opinion online but I was looking for competent medical research.

We now have that research with the peer-reviewed publication of research from Kristina Lämås, a senior lecturer in the department of nursing at Umeå University, Sweden.

Kristina’s double-blind study involved 60 people with constipation. Half received 15 minutes of abdominal and hand massage a day, five days a week for eight weeks, in addition to prescribed laxatives. The rest received only prescribed laxatives.

The results of the study showed that the group that received abdominal massage used had reduced abdominal pain, increased bowel movements and improved quality of life compared with laxative use alone.
The group also reported that abdominal massage is a pleasant treatment that should be considered in constipation management.

It makes sense that abdominal massage can have benefits for those suffering from constipation. However, could it be useful in the treatment of other bowel & bladder problems?

Certainly, massage has proven itself to be useful in the management of pain or discomfort. It might be worthwhile including a regular massage into your health routine. Especially, as this study shows, massage is a pleasant experience.

When using various techniques of massages for children it is wise to use an essential oil. Children with chronic inflammation can benefit from the oils as they have anti-inflammatory properties in them. These essential oils can reduce the chronic inflammation and may even get rid of them altogether.

Major illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, etc., have been known to be the root cause of these major illnesses.

When using essential oils on a child you can have the child inhale the oils, apply them onto the child as you massage him or her. A great place to rub the essential oils is in the feet as this area will carry the oils throughout the entire body. You can even find essential oils that are ingestible. Make sure you read the label carefully so you know if it is to be used internally. If the oil is only to be used externally- do not ingest it.

One of the various techniques of massages for children includes Swedish massage. When performing this type of massage on your child, you will use soothing, tapping and kneading strokes. By using these techniques on the entire body you will relieve muscle tension and loosen sore joints.

There are five basic strokes you can use when massaging your child. They are:

Strokes
Petrissage where you will lightly grab and lift the certain area.
Friction where you will use your thumbs and fingertips to work deep circles into the thickest part of your child’s muscles.
Tapotement which is chopping, beating and tapping strokes on your child.
Lastly you will use vibration where your fingers are pressed or flattened very firmly on your child’s muscle and then you shake the area rapidly just for a few seconds.

Another one of the various techniques of massages for children include neuromuscular massage. This is a form of DTM or deep tissue massage that is applied to your child’s individual muscles. Neuromuscular massage is used to help increase blood flow, reduce pain and release pressure on nerves that are caused by injuries to muscles and other soft tissue. You will release trigger points in your child when using this type of massage technique. This type of massage will also get rid of intense knots of tense muscles that can also refer pain to other parts of your child’s body. For example, if you relieve a tense trigger point in your child’s back, your child may no longer have or have reduced pain in his or her leg.

Another type of various techniques of massages for children includes deep tissue massage. When performing deep tissue massage you will help to get rid of the tension in your child’s muscles. You will use slow strokes, direct pressure or friction movements that go across the grain of your child’s muscles. You will use your fingers, thumbs and even your elbows to apply the pressure that is needed to get rid of your child’s tension.