Backaches
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy breaks down scar tissue and
releases muscles from spasms. It is becoming increasingly more
recognized as a form of medical treatment; a study by the American
Massage Therapy Association found that 54% of healthcare providers
encourage massage therapy, along with other types of therapy for back
pain. Studies have shown that massage therapy is more effective than
both chiropractic and acupuncture for relieving pain due to muscle
spasms. The benefits of massage therapy include improved circulation,
which helps alleviate muscle soreness; muscle relaxation, which helps
muscles move without pain; and increased endorphins, the body’s natural
pain relievers. If muscle spasms do not relax with massage therapy,
that means inflammation is likely present and cannot be treated with
massage. So if you know your back pain is due to inflammation, it won’t
help to seek out massage therapy.
You should be aware that the kind of massage you
receive in a spa is not the same kind of massage used to treat back
pain. Swedish massage is the most common type of massage found in spas
and similar places that offer massages, and while it feels good, it is
too superficial to reach deep tissue and muscles and have any lasting
affect on back pain.
The kind of massage used to treat back pain is called Neuromuscular
therapy (NMT), or trigger point myotherapy. This type of massage works
to relieve pain by balancing the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
NMT incorporates special massage therapy techniques, myofacial release,
and stretching to relive both acute and chronic patterns of pain.
There are many massage training schools throughout
the United State. Along with massage, neuromuscular therapists
study neurological laws governing pain, the roles of soft tissue in
pain, and palpation, as well as anatomy, physiology, and the function
of the spine. In order to practice, massage therapists must be
licensed and you should make sure that when looking for a massage
therapist, you choose one that has had training in neuromuscular
therapy. To find a massage therapist, get a referral from your doctor
or contact the American Massage Therapist Association.
A neuromuscular therapist will ask you for all of
the information that other therapists do and examine your spine to
determine where exactly the pain is and what’s causing it. She
will determine where nerves are compressed and where they are trapped
within soft tissue. The therapist will work to relieve your back pain
with her hands, fingers, elbows, and pressure bars, which are used to
reach deeper into spinal muscles and tendons. She will use some kind of
lubrication and start first on superficial tissue before moving deeper.
This should not hurt, but you will feel pressure, and you may be sore
afterwards due to the muscles releasing lactic acid. The therapist will
also palpate trigger points, elevated neurological areas deep within
the muscles. This may hurt initially, but the pain should go away
quickly as the therapist continues to work. Back pain should respond to
massage within four treatments over six weeks. If not, massage is
clearly not the best treatment.
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This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.