After sitting in front of the computer almost all day, standing or walking around for hours, don’t you usually feel pain in the lower part of your back? Experts say that 80% of all Americans, at some point in their life, are going to have back pain. This is something that you definitely would not want to have – especially on a chronic basis – so it helps to know what treatments are available.
What are the Top Causes of Lower Back Pain?
First, let’s take a look at the top causes of lower back pain. Whether you’re sitting down or standing up, load is placed on the lower back because of the heaviness of the upper body. The spine is the main supporter of the body weight, which is made up of small bones and cartilage. Over time, the discs which contain a spongy piece of cartilage shrink and get worn out, causing degenerative disc disease. If you’re always doing heavy physical work, your lower back is also subject to normal wear and tear. There are other causes of lower back pain which includes osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and serious medical conditions.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Lower Back Pain
If you’re suffering from back pain, you need to practice good posture whether you are standing up, sitting down, or lifting something heavy. Any kind of lifting should be done with pressure placed on the knees instead of the back. Doing exercises to help strengthen the back muscles would also help.
More importantly, if you are suffering from basic, normal or occasional back pain, you might want to consider getting a massage for it. Those who have never tried getting a massage before would be surprised at the numerous benefits that it brings, especially for those who are suffering from lower back pain. Here is a list of the benefits of massage therapy for pain in the lower back:
• It improves blood circulation, which aids in the recovery of sore muscles.
If you’ve been sitting down too long or doing too much physical activity, your muscles are bound to get sore. Through massage therapy, blood circulation will improve and any soreness that you feel on the lower back area will be healed.
• It relaxes the muscles.
Another benefit of massage therapy is that it relaxes the muscles. When you’re under too much pressure at work or if you are dealing with personal problems, it will take its toll on the body. Through massage therapy, the muscles will be relaxed and the range of motion will be greatly improved.
• Neuromuscular therapy is the most effective for treating lower back pain.
Perhaps the most effective type of massage therapy that professionals can use for lower back pain is neuromuscular massage therapy. Also called trigger point myotherapy, those who are suffering from soft tissue injury, muscle strain, and similar conditions can be given treatment. The process involves applying alternative levels of pressure on areas of the body where there is muscle spasm. After the massage, lactic acid is released from the muscle, flowing through the body as it starts receiving enough blood and oxygen.
To alleviate muscle spasm and pain in the lower back, neuromuscular therapy is recommended. It might be a bit painful at first, especially for those who have not tried a professional massage in the past, but it is very worth it once the pain on the lower back is gone.
If it’s typical lower back pain, you might want to consider getting a massage to make you more comfortable moving around. However, if you know that the cause of lower back pain is a certain medical condition, you might want to seek the help of specialty care physicians who will recommend if massage therapy is good for you or not.