Back pain is a common problem that costs the US millions of dollars a year in lost productivity and medical care. Statistically, there is a high probability that, at some point, in your life you will experience back pain. Fortunately for us, massage has proven in clinical studies to be one of the most effective therapies for back pain.
A sudden increase in physical activity, anatomical deviations, daily posture habits, and pinched nerves are all causes of back pain and some will respond better to massage than others. However, before we go into detail on the various causes of back pain, always remember to consult with your doctor before determining whether or not massage will be of benefit to you.
In the Spring, people flock to massage therapists for relief after spending hours hunched over their flowerbeds. Back pain can be triggered by excessive physical activity that your body is not prepared for. Anytime you experience back pain as a result of overdoing it, massage can be a big help.
Believe it or not, two more common causes of back pain are anatomical anomalies and postural deviations. For example, did you know that having short arms or having a slightly shorter/longer leg can both be big triggers of back pain? To see if you have short arms, have someone find the top of your hipbone. Compare the top of the hipbone to the elbow, is the elbow higher or even with the hipbone? If the elbows are higher than the hipbone you have short arms! People with short arms can't rest their elbows on armrests without slouching. This anatomical anomaly can cause a change in posture, for example, slouching to reach armrests causes you to scrunch your back into odd positions and, over a lifetime, can result in back pain. When back pain is caused by skeletal deviations, massage will release tension . However, it is also important to change your posture. The second you start bending, twisting, or hunching on a habitual basis your posture is compromised and can lead to pain.
Another surprising source of back pain are pockets and the things we put in them. Men with large wallets in their back pockets who spend years sitting with one hip higher than the other will often end up with low back pain (often called walletitis). Anyone with heavy keys or other items carried in their coat pocket can experience problems because even a half pound of extra weight can throw off your posture and create a mechanism for back pain. In this instance, the thing to do is eliminate the offending object. Massage will also be important in normalizing tissue tension.
Then there is back pain caused by pinched nerves or other neurological problems. If you have pain that radiates down your leg, this may be a sign of a pinched nerve and should be evaluated by your doctor. If a nerve is compressed due to abnormal muscle tension, massage will be of great benefit in alleviating pain. However, you must definitely consult with your doctor before getting a massage.
Lastly, a word of caution on healing back pain. Just because you are pain free does not mean your back is ready for you to rumba. You should not feel pain as you ease back into your normal routine. If you have a recurrence of back pain, no matter how mild, that is a sign you have overdone it. Consult with your doctor on the best protocol to follow to be sure that any healing that has taken place isn't compromised. It can be frustrating, but hang in there! With time, patience, and massage your back will heal.
