“Ohh, my back!”
Does this thought run in your mind whenever you bend over to, say, tie your shoelaces? Do your back muscles feel stiff, painful, and tired quickly even if you’re doing simple, every day, non-strenuous tasks?
If it’s any comfort, you’re not alone. Millions of adults in the USA suffer from back pain. But in a way, that’s a good thing – it means that many methods have been researched and developed to help you and other Americans to get relief from this burden on your back – no pun intended!
One of the best methods is getting a therapeutic massage for back pain. It’s easily accessible and non-invasive.
This is especially important if you’re one of the people who are allergic to painkillers. You won’t have to suffer from aching backs without being able to take conventional medicine – just get a massage and you’ll feel relief!
Want to know more? Well, let’s take a deeper look at how therapeutic massage can relieve your back pain, shall we?
What causes lower back pain?
There are plenty of reasons why you feel pain in your back. For instance, there are diseases, such as spinal disc degeneration, that can cause back pain.
However, the most common causes of back pains are:
- Poor posture while sitting for an extended duration
- Inactivity as a result of a sedentary lifestyle
- Not maintaining strong back muscles due to lack of exercise
- Natural wear and tear of bodies as a result of aging.
One or any combination of the said factors can easily lead to painful backs.
Can getting a massage really help my back pain?
Believe it or not, this particular idea is actually supported by science and health care practitioners. For instance, most physicians promote the idea that massage is the most viable method of combating back muscle pains. A lot of published articles – such as this one – support the same belief.
And it’s no wonder because you will get plenty of benefits after your massage session, such as:
- Relief from “knots” or tension of the quadratus lumborum muscle (in the lower back) and the gluteus medius (in the buttocks)
- Relaxation of the tightness of muscles
- Sore muscle recovery, since massage aids your blood supply in transporting nutrients
- Improvement in your quality of sleep
- Reduction of stress
- Release of endorphins that can better your mood and prevent the symptoms of depression
- Can provide faster recovery in conjunction with medicine (like anti-inflammatory pain relievers) and other regular treatment (like applying heat or ice packs)
Do note, however, that in order for it to work best with minimal risk, you should only get a back pain massage from professional massage therapists.
How to relieve back pain via massage
Something you need to know before booking a massage in Los Angeles is that there are different kinds of massages. Let’s take a look at the types.
Whole body massage
This type of massage typically includes the whole upper and lower limbs, the neck, the stomach, and buttocks along with the back. It is typically used for general relaxation. It won’t target your back specifically but you’ll still get plenty of relief.
Structural massage
Unlike a whole-body massage, a structural massage procedure consists of spine massage techniques aimed at specific muscles and connective tissues. Targeting the muscles from the buttocks up to the neck area is an effective structural massage for relieving back pains.
Hybrid massage
As you may have guessed, a hybrid massage is a combination of a general body massage and a specific focus on target muscles.
Whichever you choose, you will generally get relief. But it’s best to ask your massage therapist for recommendations.
Different massage methodologies
Another thing you need to know is that massages also have different methodologies that are used in combination with the massage types. Let’s take a look at each one.
Deep tissue massage
A deep tissue massage is a whole body one that focuses on applying pressure on the layers of msucls and connective tissues.
Neuromuscular massage
The neuromuscular massage involves applying quasi-static pressure that is concentrated on the stimulation of skeletal striated muscles by targeting soft tissues.
Shiatsu massage
The shiatsu is a whole body massage methodology that hails from Japan. It involves applying a pulsating pressure to specific body parts that need treatment.
Swedish massage
The Swedish massage specialized in relieving muscular knots and providing relaxation. The therapist uses long, kneading strokes in combination with rhythmic tapping strokes and various joint movements achieve this.
Trigger point massage
A trigger point massage is a soft tissue technique that is used to release painful muscle knots. There are different approaches including soft tissue work, deep tissue massage, and more. The trigger point is the knot, basically.
These five are some of the most common methodologies. Again, it’s best if you ask your therapist for their recommendation (in combination with the type of massage) for your pain relief. That way, you can be sure that you will be free of your lowr back pain.
Consult your doctor first before undergoing any therapeutic massage treatment.
Okay, so you might be googling “massage shop near me” or “massage Los Angeles near me” but hold your horses for a little bit. As with every issue that requires medical attention, always ask for your doctor’s qualified opinion before getting a massage. It’s important to undergo a thorough check-up first just in case your back pain is caused by a herniated disc or a recent surgery for which massage isn’t a recommended solution.
And yes, if you get a massage with those issues, you might end up making your pain worse. And you don’t want that, right?
Ready to book a massage for back pain relief?
We hope that this article has encouraged you to seek out therapeutic massage for your back pain. And if you have undergone a doctor’s evaluation and you are a good candidate for a therapeutic massage treatment, then go for it!
If you’re from Santa Monica, no need for you to Google “massage in Santa Monica Boulevard” or “massage near Santa Monica CA.” MendMe Massage Studio is the place to go to get a Santa Monica Blvd massage! We guarantee that we are THE best massage spa in Santa Monica, CA, AND the best place to get a massage in West Los Angeles ((if not one of the best, at least).
Our team of experts is here to guide you on your journey towards taking charge of your health and wellness. Whether you are troubled by crippling back pain or are just on a search for effective pain and stress-relieving treatment, our dedicated team will provide you with the best quality service. Rest assured you will be treated with the utmost care and comfort by a professional pair of hands.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to book a one-time massage or you are in need of a custom-made treatment plan, MendMe can cater to either need!
Make an appointment with one of our massage therapists today! Book via our website or contact us at (424) 293-0335.
We look forward to hearing from you, freeing you from pain, and making you feel relaxed.
