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MASSAGE TO RELIEVE BACK PAIN |
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The following are some typical questions that are often asked about back and neck pain diagnoses and treatment.
DOES MASSAGE HELP TO RELIEVE BACK PAIN?
A: Yes. Remedial Massage can play a key role in the relief of back pain caused by strains (an injury to the muscles),
sprains (an injury to the ligaments), and most frequently muscular imbalances, where one group of muscles is more developed than another group of muscles. This causes the whole
architecture of the back to be askew. These injuries are the most common cause of back and neck pain in adults and children.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT THERAPIST?
A: Imagine for a minute that you have just bought a brand new car and it’s the one you’ve always dreamt of owning. Would you take it to a backyard mechanic to have
your valuable new car serviced? Of course you wouldn’t. So if you wouldn’t trust leaving your lovely new car with someone with dubious qualifications, then why trust your body,
which is infinitesimally more valuable, to a therapist with little or no qualifications or experience?
It will only take you 5 minutes to do a little research, and the first thing you should examine is their qualifications. Look at their qualifications,
your therapist should have a minimum of Diploma of Remedial Massage. Secondly ask for a recommendation from a friend who has had success in relieving their back pain, or look to
see if the therapist has a testimonials page on their website that contains reports of positive feedback for back pain relief from
their clients. You should now have enough information to make a more informed decision on which therapist is more likely to get you results and relieve your pain.
WHY IS MY BACK OR NECK PAIN WORSE IN THE MORNING?
A: If your pain involves your intervertebral discs, it can worsen in the morning after lying down for the night. This is because your discs now have a chance to
re-hydrate (absorb fluids) and enlarge after being compressed from the weight of your body all day. This swelling tends to irritate any compressed nerve that is causing you pain.
Similarly, if muscle pain is involved, the muscles can stiffen overnight, resulting in painful movement in the morning as the stiffness is worked out.
WHY DOES MY DOCTOR ONLY TELL ME TO REST AND PRESCRIBE DRUGS?
A: There are a few reasons why it is better to rest your back and use any pain relievers, anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxants provided by your doctor and wait
for the pain to ease, then after a few days of rest gradually increasing your activity levels.
It is important to note however that although the pain might have subsided, the underlying problem or cause has not yet been addressed and a visit to a qualified remedial
massage therapist who can locate and massage any tight or strained muscles will help prevent a reoccurrence of pain.
WHAT CAN CAUSE LOW BACK INJURIES?
A: Many things can cause low back injuries--muscle strain or spasm, sprains of ligaments (which attach bone to bone), joint problems or a "slipped disk." The most
common cause is using your back muscles in activities you're not used to, like lifting heavy furniture or doing yard work.
A slipped disk (also called a herniated disk) happens when a disk between the bones of the spine bulges and presses on nerves. This is often caused by twisting while lifting. In
most cases, slipped disks and other back pain can be relieved by following a few simple methods. ( See tips for a healthier back ).
SHOULD I SEE A CHIROPRACTOR OR OSTEOPATH?
A: Yes. Sometimes it is useful to receive spinal manipulation such as that done by professionally licensed specialists like Osteopaths and Chiropractors. They use
leverage and a series of manoeuvres to adjust spinal structures to restore back mobility. It is important to note that once the spine is again in alignment,
Remedial Massage treatment can loosen the tight muscles thus preventing the spine from being pulled back out of alignment.
IS THERE RELIEF FOR AN ONGOING BACK PROBLEM?
A: Yes. Treatment of ongoing back problems must be directed at the cause, and since most back pain is muscular, back pain due to muscular causes
can clearly be prevented by maintaining the balance between apposing muscle groups in order to keep the body erect and functioning normally. You might think that your problem is
just a simple muscle strain, but maybe you have an imbalance and that is what caused the strain in the first place and it’s also the reason why it won't heal. A visit to a
qualified Remedial Massage therapist will help loosen those tight or strained muscles that are causing your back to
spasm and they can suggest some lower back and abdominal exercises to regain the muscle balance.
This may also mean losing weight ( because being overweight can make back pain worse ). Exercise to get your muscles into better shape, improving your posture when you're sitting,
standing and sleeping.
TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER BACK
Following any period of prolonged inactivity, begin a program of regular low-impact exercises. Speed walking, swimming, or stationary bike riding 30 minutes a day can increase
muscle strength and flexibility. Yoga or Thai Yoga Massage can also help stretch and strengthen muscles and improve posture. Ask
your physician or therapist for a list of low-impact exercises appropriate for your age and designed to strengthen lower back and abdominal muscles.
- Always stretch before exercise or other strenuous physical activity.
- Don’t slouch when standing or sitting. When standing, keep your weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight most easily when curvature is reduced.
- At home or work, make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height for you.
- Sit in a chair with good lumbar support and proper position and height for the task. Keep your shoulders back. Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or gently stretch muscles to relieve tension. A pillow or rolled-up towel placed behind the small of your back can provide some lumbar support. If you must sit for a long period of time, rest your feet on a low stool or a stack of books.
- Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
- Sleep on your side to reduce any curve in your spine. Always sleep on a firm surface.
- Ask for help when transferring an ill or injured family member from a reclining to a sitting position or when moving the patient from a chair to a bed.
- Don’t try to lift objects too heavy for you. Lift with your knees, pull in your stomach muscles, and keep your head down and in line with your straight back. Keep the object close to your body. Do not twist when lifting.
- Maintain proper nutrition and diet to reduce and prevent excessive weight, especially weight around the waistline that taxes lower back muscles. A diet with sufficient daily intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D helps to promote new bone growth.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine and causes the spinal discs to degenerate.
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