Back pain can put a damper on your spirits, and render you helpless to do even the simplest things in life such as play with your kids, golf with your buds, or sit up straight to watch a TV show. And although there are several ways to treat pain in your back, some methods work better than others. Massage therapy rates high on the list as one of the most effective methods for treating back pain. A licensed massage therapist can do a massage, or you can contact a local chiropractor to see if he offers massage services to treat back pain. Some common causes of back pain include: ” sciatica
” injuries
” muscle strains and sprains
” muscle spasms
” herniated discs
” degenerative conditions (osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.) Types of Massage Therapy for Back Pain A Swedish massage is the most common type of massage. During a Swedish massage, the client lies on a table unclothed while the therapist uses massage oils to glide the hand across parts of the body. Massage therapists use pressure, and a number of techniques such as long, even strokes, kneading, tapping, and friction to relax the muscles. A Swedish massage is usually the recommended technique of choice for people who are getting a massage for the first time. A deep tissue massage is used to treat chronic pain, inflammation, injuries, limited mobility, muscle spasms, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle tension. Due to the high number of muscle related injuries, deep tissue massage is commonly used on athletes. During a deep tissue massage, heavy pressure is applied by using the fingertips, elbows, knuckles, hands, and forearms to reach deep into the muscles, and connective tissues. Deep tissue massage can cause discomfort, and soreness because of the amount of pressure needed to perform this type of massage. Shiatsu is an age-old Japanese massage technique that is used to treat a number of conditions including back pain. This type of massage uses pressure from the fingers, elbow, thumbs, feet, and knees along the body’s acupressure points to balance the flow of energy. Massage therapy is not appropriate for everyone. If you have conditions such as cancer, blood clots, or fractures, speak to a doctor before getting a massage. Pregnant women should only be massaged by someone who’s licensed in pregnancy massage. Also, if you have open wounds, wait until they heal before getting a massage. Benefits of Massage for Back Pain Massage therapy improves circulation, loosens knotted muscles, and relaxes muscle spasms in the back. Getting a massage also encourages the brain to release endorphins (natural pain killers) to relieve back pain. If massage is done regularly, it’s not only effective in treating back pain, it can be used as a preventive measure because it improves pliability in the back, and keeping the stress that leads to back pain under control. Swedish, shiatsu, and deep tissue massage therapy are among the many methods used to effectively treat back pain. If you’re considering a massage, talk to your chiropractor to see which type is appropriate for you.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – HealthSource Chris Tomshack | Massage Therapy for Back Pain

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