How Massage Can Help with Back Pain

Back Pain Massage

Back and lower back pain is typical for those of us sitting in chairs all day at our desks and is precisely the price we pay for walking on two feet. Spine specialists have become more concerned about the growing number of complaints: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that in 2020 musculoskeletal problems, which include back pain, were in the top four most common reasons for sickness and absence from work in the last decade. Musculoskeletal issues accounted for 15.4% of sickness and absence in 2020. With such a high prevalence of back pain in the UK, it is a key area of exploration for researchers.

Since the start of the pandemic and stay at home orders across the globe, human activities and lifestyles have changed a lot. People have been moving significantly less, postponing visits to a doctor, skipping their lower back massage sessions, crawling out of bed and walking 20 feet to their desk, and taking advantage of Amazon and other instant delivery services instead of taking a walk to the stores.

While Covid doesn’t directly cause back pain, our response to it has contributed to an increase in the cases reported.

Lady massaging the top of her back - neck & shoulder area

Possible Reasons for Lower Back Pain

There are a number of reasons for lower back pain. What’s more, it’s not always rooted in the musculoskeletal system. It can be a consequence of trauma from an accident, muscle spasms, a pinched nerve, and/or inflammation. The consequences of sedentary work are the top reason for spine and neck pain, numbness in the arms and legs, and circulatory problems.

How Massage Can Help with Back Pain

Back massage is one of the best ways to cope with and prevent it, which is most often caused by stiffness and muscle spasms. It relaxes tight muscles, so the pain disappears, and your posture becomes more upright. If it is caused solely by sedentary work, working out regularly and massage therapy that targets your lower back pain can be the best ways to alleviate it. Combined, these two self-care routines can drastically reduce or eliminate painful sensations. A massage after an intense exercise helps you relax tired muscles, improves your blood circulation, and brings many other positive healing effects.

The Benefits of Massage

Massage is a highly beneficial wellness practice—you don't have to wait until your spine asks for help to decide to make it part of your self-care routine. Instead, you may notice the benefits right after your first massage session.

• Massage improves blood circulation and helps your cells receive more oxygen and nutrients.

• Increase joint mobility by reducing any thickening of the connective tissue and helping to release restriction in the fascia

• Reduce pain, stiffness and muscle fatigue produced by the accumulation of waste product in the muscles and the removal of metabolic waste is speeded up and normal function is more quickly restored; the increased nutrients and oxygen will also facilitate tissue repair and recovery

• Break down adhesions which may have developed within the muscles as a result of tension, poor posture and injury

• Increases the supply of fresh, oxygenated blood to the tissue, the capillaries empty and fresh oxygenated blood flows into them more quickly. The nutrients and oxygen nourish the tissues and aid tissue recovery and repair

• Reduce ischaemia (ischaemia is a reduction in the flow of the blood to body parts, often marked by pain and tissue dysfunction).

• It helps your body detoxify.

• Massage stimulates the production of hormones that contribute to improved moods and positive feelings of well-being: dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin are released.

• It also helps your mental state by relieving tension/stress and its effects.

Massage Therapy Downsides and Precautions

Although getting a massage is highly beneficial, it can have downsides for some groups of people. Particularly:

• Elderly people whose bones no longer have the same strength.

• Patients suffering from swelling & inflammation. Massage at the site can worsen the situation if not done correctly.

• Any age group who is suffering from broken bones, wounds, or injuries. Massage can sometimes be done with care during the post-traumatic recovery period. Make sure you tell your therapist about any current or past injuries, so they have a workaround.

• Pregnant and lactating women. Massages during pregnancy can stimulate the body, leading to a potential miscarriage. What’s more, toxins released during the massage process pass into the milk. Make sure you notify your therapist of your current condition.

Summary

Massage is a beneficial practice with many health advantages beyond relieving lower back pain. It’s a calming way to set aside time for self-care. At CMC Sports Massage I have a number of treatments that I can provide and deliver to you in your home aswell.

I cover the whole of Merseyside, The Wirral & North Cheshire.

Sports Massage Back Treatments by CMC Mobile Sports Massage, Liverpool

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