Massage therapy for low back pain

Massage therapy for low back pain is a common request for many patients. Low back pain affects the majority of the population at some point in their life. It is the most common symptoms and it affects 7.3% of the population worldwide. Massage is an effective and non-invasive treatment to relieve low back pain and it has been around for thousands of years. Although, as an RMT in Ontario, we provide evidence-based practice to ensure the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Massage therapy is safe, with minimal risk of adverse effects. 

How can massage therapy help with your low back pain?

We start with an assessment to determine the causes of your pain. It is advisable to speak to your family doctor before any kind of treatment to determine the exact cause and to rule out any serious pathological conditions that may be causing your low back pain. For this article, I will be discussing chronic low back pain that is non-specific.

Most of our patients seek treatment due to muscular strain or mechanical low back pain. This is caused by prolonged sitting and standing, and sometimes just lifting the wrong way. It starts with a nagging soreness of the low back. Occasionally, the pain will get worst and start radiating to the back of the legs. These types of pain usually go away over time. Our body is amazing in the way it treats itself. However, the majority of low back pain becomes chronic if it is not treated within a certain time, usually within six months.

A sedentary lifestyle can cause a recurrent low back problem. Inactivity and poor circulation can cause muscle stiffness over time. Chronic low back pain can also lead to an unhealthy pattern of movement, affecting our day-to-day activities. Many people avoid certain activities and movements due to the fear of aggravating the pain. This can lead to muscle guarding, atrophy, and overcompensation. All of that can lead to more problems in the future.

Most jobs require either prolonged sitting or prolonged standing, lifting and twisting. These types of activities can reaggravate the pain. Of course, you still need to go back to work. We can not stop working because of our back pain. However, pain can limit your activities and decrease your performance. You will need to modify your work if you are in pain. If your job requires a significant amount of lifting, then you can not continue with your job because your low back pain will be aggravated.

Here’s how you can benefit from massage therapy if you suffer from low back pain. Massage therapy for low back pain is highly effective and is a non-invasive form of treatment. Massage therapy can help improve circulation, and range of motion, and can help decrease your pain. Studies show that massage is a highly effective form of treatment for chronic low back pain, especially in combination with exercise and education.

Massage therapy is a great alternative to treat your chronic low back pain. If you have never had a massage before, I highly recommend you to go to someone who has experienced working with low back pain so you can receive the best result. Everyone responds differently to treatments and it also depends on the severity of your condition. There is no quick fix for low back pain and there is no magic pill to relieve your pain. Therefore, it is best to do your research and find out if massage therapy can help with your condition.

References:

Hartvigsen, Jan et al. “What Low Back Pain Is and Why We Need to Pay Attention.” The Lancet (British edition) 391.10137 (2018): 2356–2367. Web.

Imamura, M., Furlan, A. D., Dryden, T., & Irvin, E. (2008). Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with massage. The Spine Journal, 8(1), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2007.10.016

Wendell, P. (2014). Low back pain: A constant companion. Massage Therapy Today, 8(1), 4-6.