4 Massage Therapy Tips for Lower Back Pain

Do you usually experience back pain? You are not alone.

Experts say that up to 80% of people will experience it at some point in their lives. It is so common that it is the leading cause of missed work days and also the most common cause of disability worldwide. There can be many different causes of lower back pain. Thankfully, there are also several ways to diagnose and treat it. One of the best ways is through massage therapy.

 

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy involves the manipulation of the soft tissues in the body, such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. Varying degrees of pressure and movement are usually applied by a licensed massage therapist using hands, fingers, knees, elbows, forearms, feet, or with the use of a device.

 

Massage Therapy Tips for Lower Back Pain

Ready for a massage? Wait.
Before you go and get one, there are several tips you need to take note of first.

 

1. Consult your doctor.

As with any other form of treatment, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor first. An aching lower back can be caused by many different things and can come in varying degrees of severity. Your doctor should be able to help diagnose if you have any serious conditions that could be causing the pain. Lower back pain can be diagnosed via imaging and other tests including:

  • X-rays
  • Myelograms
  • Discography
  • CT Scan
  • MRI
  • Bone Scans
  • Ultrasound
  • Electrodiagnostics
  • Blood Tests

Your doctor should be able to tell you if massage therapy is advisable or not.

 

2. Understand the type of back pain you have.

The type of lower back pain you have will determine the types of treatment appropriate for you. The length of time you've been experiencing the pain determines what type it is.

Acute back pains last from 4 - 12 weeks while chronic back pain lasts for 12 weeks and beyond. Most cases of lower back pains are acute and they tend to resolve on their own. Massage therapy can be beneficial for both types. However, it may provide more relief for those suffering from acute back pains.

 

3. Learn which massage techniques are appropriate for you.

If massage therapy is recommended for you, know that there are different types available.

  • Therapeutic Massage - This refers to any type of massage that helps reduce stress, relieve pain, and targets specific problem areas.
  • Shiatsu Massage - This originated in Japan and involves the application of finger pressure to specific points of the body.
  • Swedish Massage - This is a classic massage that involves deep circular and passive joint movements, as well as kneading and long strokes.
  • Deep Tissue Massage - This is similar to a Swedish massage but more pressure is applied to target the inner layers of your muscles, tendons, and dense connective tissues. It is best for those with chronic back pain.
  • Sports Massage - This is specifically geared towards helping athletes before, during, and after sports events.

 


4. Invest in a massage chair.

Some of the massage techniques mentioned above must only be done with the caring hands of a professional masseuse. However, there are some that you can experience at home. How? By investing in a massage chair. Massage chairs these days come in a variety of features. Some features to look out for that can help relieve lower back pain include:

  • L-track System - This allows the rollers to go all the way to your lower back, glutes and thighs. The Luraco Legend has one of the longest massage tracks. Its 58" L-track system extends the massage area and can accommodate people up to 6'5" tall.
  • 3D Massage System - This allows the rollers not only to move up and down or left and right but also in and out, giving you a deeper massage. The Osaki OS-Pro Ekon massage chair, for instance, has 3D massage technology that even allows you to adjust the intensity up to 5 levels.
  • Heat Therapy - The application of heat can speed up healing and provide you with comfort. Get a chair massage from the Osaki Vivo. It comes with infrared heated rollers to help relax your sore and tense muscles.
  • Massage Techniques - Some massage chairs come with pre-programmed massage techniques that you can easily use. The Human Touch Super Novo, for instance, has 38 auto-wellness programs for therapy, relaxation, and recovery, plus manual, stretch and deep tissue massage programs.

 

You don’t need to keep suffering from lower back pain. There are many ways to help relieve you from it. If you think a chair massage is the way to go, contact us and we’ll help you choose the ideal massage chair for you.