Massage Therapy for Low Back Pain in Chapel Hill, NC

Massage Therapy for Low Back Pain

Massage Therapy is an excellent treatment for numerous health concerns. The one health concern that commands the most awareness is back pain. Most people are well aware that massage therapy is one of the most successful forms of treatment for muscular issues. Most injuries to the back are muscular in nature and about 95% of cases of low back pain are the result of muscular problems.

Most concerns will be treated similarly with general back pain treatments, other concerns will be customized depending on the condition. In general, massage treatments of the back are most effective when used in conjunction with a personal trainer. The abdominals, glutes and hamstrings should be massaged and strengthened. These muscles support and alleviate strain on the back when functioning properly.

A bulging disc is another common back problem. A bulging disc is not the same as a herniated disc. A bulging disc develops gradually over time and a herniated disc is usually the result of trauma to the spine. A bulging disc does not rupture and does not always cause pain. The pain associated with a bulging disc is typically due to the bulge impinging a nerve. This can cause pain and muscle spasms. Deep massage work is avoided in the areas of severe pain. Rocking, gliding and gentle kneading strokes are effective in this area.

A herniated disc, also known as a ruptured or slipped disc is another problem. A herniated disc opens and allows the soft central portion to spill out and put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root. The rupture may cause the release of inflammatory chemical mediators and cause severe pain even without nerve root compression. Massage treatment for a herniated disc focuses on controlling muscles spasms and managing pain. Deep work is avoided in the areas of severe pain.

Spondylolysis is an abnormal separation front and rear of a vertebra. It is most common in young people that have back pain for no apparent reason. Massage treatments for Spondylolysis focuses on reducing muscle tightening in the area. Broad based compression and gliding strokes are used to break up the muscle tension.

Sciatica pain is often associated with back pain even though the majority of the pain runs down the back of the leg to the foot. Muscle spasms, neurologic issues, vertebra spurs and impingement from a disc are some of the potential causes of sciatic pain. Massage treatment is more successful with some causes than others. Massage has been proven to be very effective when sciatic pain is being caused by muscle spasms. The piriformis muscle is located beneath the glutes and can entrap the sciatic nerve. This is called piriformis syndrome and massage therapy has shown to be successful to decrease symptoms.

Massage therapy performed by a trained professional can alleviate a lot of symptoms. Through consistent treatments and strength training a lot of back problems can become non-existent. In addition to treating the specific muscles, the increased blood circulation aids in the healing process. After symptoms have dissipated, it is highly recommended to begin a monthly massage preventative program. This will help to ensure that the body does not return to the previous state.

See more informative articles by Brent Rascoe like this one at www.desteneesalonandspa.com.

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Tags: Massage, Massage Therapy