Can Massage Therapy Really Help Your Back Pain?

If done correctly, massage therapy can really work wonders for people with back pain. It may not always be the right choice, and it may not work for everyone. But most people will get good 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.

Massage therapy has grown 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 and medical massage.  It would also be a good idea to look for a massage therapist who has comprehensive knowledge of muscle imbalances relating to back pain.

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 (lymph) that circulates around the body tissues. 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 and even in the joints.

When the inflammation starts 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.

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 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.

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 natural 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. The ones who do will get the best and fastest results.

When you go see a massage therapist 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.