Massage for Lower Back Pain: 5 Techniques That Work

With the increasing number of people experiencing lower back pain, massage has proven to be an effective alternative treatment. 

Rest and applying heat or ice can provide temporary relief, massage for lower back pain offers a comprehensive solution to managing and treating this problem. 

In this article, we will look at how massage can relieve lower back pain and which massage techniques are most effective in this area.

Does massage really help lower back pain?

The back takes most of our weight and physical stress, straining the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Back pain can limit mobility and negatively affect quality of life. 

In some cases, it can be described as "unbearable". Chronic low back pain can seriously affect daily life, and recovery from it can take weeks to months.

Many turn to traditional treatment such as anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief. However, physical therapy, continued physical activity and one therapeutic massage they can also provide relief and relaxation.

In recent years, massage has become quite popular as an alternative treatment for people with lower back pain. 

When added to the mix of traditional back pain treatment, the magical and relaxing touch of a professional massage therapist can promote significant healing and relief from an aching back pain. 

Health professionals recognize low back pain massage therapy as a safe and natural relief for lower back pain and an effective aid in various pain treatments. In addition, health care providers even encourage patients with lower back pain to seek massage therapy in addition to medical treatment.

Several pieces of research support the effectiveness of massage for lower back pain, showing the benefits of the treatment in terms of symptom relief and a faster return to a pain-free daily life.

The impressive benefits of massage for your aching lower back

Massage offers impressive health benefits to any individual that go beyond pain relief. Especially for people dealing with lower back pain, the main benefits include:

Counteracts the effects of prolonged sitting: Poor posture is a common problem among many office workers. More often, it manifests itself with pain in the neck and shoulders. Office workers who sit for long periods of time are more vulnerable to pain and weakness in the lower back and gluteal muscles. Regular massage therapy can prevent imbalance caused by long-term sitting.

Relieves sore muscles: Regular massage can effectively enhance blood circulation. Blood circulation helps in providing adequate oxygen and nutrients to the affected area resulting in faster healing.

Improves mental health: Human contact offers healing and relaxing effects to those facing various problems. According to research, many patients, such as breast cancer patients who receive massage therapy, report a reduction in their depressed and angry feelings. A massage can undoubtedly help improve the mental health of people experiencing lower back pain.

Improves sleep: Massage can provide restful sleep but also help those who cannot rest or calm down easily. It helps people undergoing chemotherapy feel more relaxed and sleep easier at night.

Boosts Immunity: Massage is an effective means to increase your white blood cell count, which is vital to protect your body from harmful diseases.

The best massages for lower back pain

Massage is not only a great treatment for back pain relief, but it can also help treat many musculoskeletal problems that cause pain throughout the body. By focusing on the problem areas, we can control the pain at its source.

Here are 5 different massage techniques that can help treat lower back pain and lower back pain.

1. Swedish massage

When you think of getting a massage, the first thing that might come to mind is the Swedish massage. This type of massage benefits relaxation and relief from tight muscles. The Swedish massage includes a variety of techniques such as:

Effleurage: It involves gentle, smooth movements with the fingers, palm or thumb. It is usually used at the beginning and end of a massage session to activate blood flow, warm the skin and relax the client.

Petrissage: Rolling movements to activate muscles and improve blood circulation. The pressure usually depends on the sensitivity of the client. This technique focuses more on the tense area of ​​the back. The massage therapist begins the Swedish massage with a light petrissage and eventually increases the pressure to release muscle tension.

Tapotement: Involves rhythmic strokes on the body with the palms, fingers or tips of the hands to improve blood circulation and relieve fatigue. Pressure and speed can be either relaxing or energizing.

Frictions: The masseuse rubs the skin with the palms, fingers or thumb, making circular movements. This technique is applied to relieve the muscles, improve blood circulation and reduce muscle tension and pain.

2. Deep Tissue

Also known as sports massage, deep tissue massage is not for those just looking for relaxation. This form of treatment involves applying intense pressure to the sore muscles, trying to get as deep into the tissue as possible. In doing so, it releases the compressed tissues and relaxes the tight muscles that cause chronic neck and upper back pain.

Before deciding on a deep tissue massage, talk to your massage therapist. Although not necessarily relaxing, you shouldn't feel excruciating pain during the process solely to release the muscles. The professional masseuses can adjust the pressure according to your preferences. They usually start with gentle movements and gradually increase the pressure. After the session, it is common to feel muscle soreness for a few days. A warm bath with Epsom salts can help relieve pain.

3. Trigger Point

Trigger Point massage is a technique similar to deep tissue massage, designed to locate and release "tight spots" within stressed muscles or trigger points. For example if we have a trigger point in the back or neck, it can cause pain in other parts of the body. 

This technique does not affect the entire length of the muscle but focuses on relieving muscle pain and tension at a point.

4. Myofascial Massage

"Myofascial Massage" is a form of massage that aims to relieve pain and restore tension in the musculoskeletal system, including lower back pain. 

Fascia are thin layers of connective tissue that cover all muscles. Myofascial massage focuses on a wider area of ​​muscles throughout the body. During the procedure, the masseuse starts with gentle movements on the whole body to locate the tension points. After identifying the points, therapists increase the pressure to slowly release the Trigger Points. In addition, myofascial massage can effectively relieve fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

5. Hot stone massage

It is a form of relaxation and relief therapy that involves placing warm stones (basalts) on specific parts of the body. The hot stone massage can help loosen tight connective tissues and treat lower back pain due to muscle and ligament injuries.

The therapist places the hot stones in two rows along the spine. The back, back of each thigh and leg are then massaged using a heated stone. The heat from the stones promotes muscle and soft tissue relaxation and reduces muscle contractions. Heat therapy from the stones also improves blood flow, increases oxygen to cells and helps release toxins. 

Massage can relieve lower back pain and has remarkable benefits for the entire body. Massage is not just a luxurious treat, but a powerful tool for dealing with pain and improving your well-being.