Massage Therapy and Back Pain

Registered massage therapists are trained in theThe lower back pain can be severe and last
assessment and diagnosis of injuries of the softanywhere from several hours to a couple of
tissue and joints of the body. They use a blend ofweeks. When back muscles are strained or torn,
modern science and ancient philosophies to treatthey can become inflamed.With inflammation, the
many conditions. Massage therapy is becomingback muscles can spasm, thus causing both lower
more widely accepted in the medical communityback pain and difficulty in moving. Massage
as a credible treatment for many types of backtherapy helps to relieve muscle spasm, improve
pain. Studies have shown that massage therapybody circulation and promote healing injuries. It can
can benefit chronic back pain sufferers byalso help prevent injury. The large upper back
increasing blood flow and circulation, decreasingmuscles are also prone to irritation, either due to
tension in the muscles, reducing pain caused byweakness or overuse.Spinal arthritis is the
tight muscles and even improving sleep. Massageinflammation of the joints of the spine. It can
therapy can provide relief for many commoncause the breakdown of cartilage between the
conditions that cause back pain, such as arthritis,aligning facet joints in the back portion of the
fibromyalgia, sports injuries and various other softspine. As the facet joints become inflamed they
tissue sprains and strains.Massage is non-invasivecreate frictional pain as bone rubs on bone.
and considered very low risk for most people. InMassage therapy can help to reduce osteoarthritis
addition to physical benefits, massage is usuallypain by improving circulation, reducing stress and
relaxing. This can have profound psychologicallymuscle tension. However, it is important to seek a
benefits, particularly to someone suffering fromprofessional who is specifically trained in treating
chronic back pain. Depression is a symptom ofpeople with arthritis.It is important to obtain a
chronic pain. Massage is thought to releaseproper diagnosis on the cause of your back pain
endorphins, natural chemicals in the body thatfrom a medical practitioner before beginning
make you feel good and act as painmassage therapy. This is to ensure you receive
suppressors.It is estimated that 75% ofthe appropriate treatments and to rule out
healthcare providers have sent their patients topotentially serious conditions.For back pain
massage therapists. If appropriate, you may wantsufferers, it is important obtain an accurate
to ask your physician for a referral to a massagemedical diagnosis of the cause of back pain.
therapy professional in your area.Most episodes ofMassage therapy can effectively treat many
acute lower back pain are caused by muscletypes of back pain on its own or when combined
strain, such as from lifting a heavy object, or awith medical treatment.
traumatic injury like a sudden movement or a fall.