Which Massage is Best for Back Pain?
Did you know more than 80% of adults complain of back pain? It can be debilitating, affecting your productivity at work and home. Back pain can also limit your quality of life by sidelining you from your favorite physical activities. While medications can provide relief, massage therapy offers a healthier and preventative solution.
Causes of back pain
Back pain can stem from many causes, including obesity, injury, and poor posture. Sitting for long periods can also lead to back pain by causing excessive compression on the lower spine. While this pain can be temporary in more fortunate cases, many struggle with chronic pain that lasts for years.
What type of massage is effective for back pain?
Massage therapy can be performed in many modalities, each offering unique benefits.
Swedish Massage (Lower Back Pain)
A Swedish massage is a popular technique that most people associate with massage therapy. This style focuses on relaxation and relief from cramped muscles, making it ideal for helping with lower back pain. In a Swedish massage, your therapist will use long, smooth strokes to ease tension from sore and stiff muscles.
Trigger Point Massage (Lower and Upper Back Pain)
Trigger point massages focus specifically on problematic muscle areas, which often lead to secondary pain in other areas of the body. Repeated, deep pressure is applied to the trigger point until the muscle tension is completely released. This type of massage is particularly effective in treating chronic back pain, tension, and even migraines caused by muscle tension.
Deep Tissue Massage for upper back pain or back pain caused due to injury
During deep tissue massage, your therapist will work each sore muscle deeply. Not only are deep layers of the muscles targeted, but also the connective tissues. This massage can be your go-to option if you are plagued by chronically tight and stiff muscles, painful muscles, sports injury, frequent strain or postural issues.
Your massage therapist will go as far as to reach the muscles to the very bone if possible to release scar tissue and relax the stiff knots causing chronic neck and upper back pain.
If you're experiencing pain in your neck, shoulders, and back, and feel that the muscles in those areas need some loosening, a deep tissue massage can come to your aid perfectly.
Shiatsu massage for lower back pain
Shiatsu is a highly effective massage technique for lower back pain. It is an ancient technique that means finger pressure. Your massage therapist will use their thumbs, fingers, and palms and apply pressure in varying degrees to different parts of the body in a rhythmic sequence.
Pressure is applied along the energy channels in the body called meridians. The effects of this massage are long-lasting. The idea is to release the Qi or the body’s blocked energy and improve the flow of healing energy throughout the body.
Hot Stones Massage
Hot stones massage is fantastic for back pain. Warm and smooth stones are placed on the parts of the body where you experience pain. This warmth percolates to deep layers of the muscles, loosens them up, and removes tension.
Final Wrap
Not only is massage therapy helpful in dealing with the symptoms of back pain, but it is also safe. Rather than just a one-time affair, frequent follow-up visits at a licensed massage spa in the hands of a qualified massage therapist can work wonders for your back pain. Good luck!