A back massage can
release tension and back pain
Most healthcare providers are recognizing back massage therapy as a legitimate aid for back pain. Fifty-four percent of healthcare providers say they will encourage their patients to pursue massage therapy in addition to medical treatment.
Back pain is typically classified as either acute or chronic:
Acute back pain is short term, generally lasting from a few days to a few weeks. Some acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated. Most back pain sufferers fall into this category. With acute back pain, certain movement ranges for activities may be limited due to pain.
Chronic back pain is generally defined as pain that persists for more than three months. The pain may be progressive, or may occasionally flare up and then return to a lower level of pain. With chronic pain, the exact cause of the pain can sometimes be difficult to determine and it is recommended to consult an osteopath, a chiropractor or a physiotherapist in such cases.
Tight muscles of the upper back and neck.
- What happens when back muscles tighten?
A lot of pain that occurs in the upper back and neck is due to muscles becoming too tight. The tight muscles do not allow as much blood into them as is needed and therefore they do not get the energy and nutrients they need to stay healthy. Therefore tight muscles weaken and then tighten up further, so a viscous circle has begun.
- What can cause tight muscles?
- Overuse causes small micro tears in the muscles. The muscles then tighten up to protect themselves.
- Poor stretching routines, particularly after training. If the muscle is not stretched to it's natural length regularly it may adaptively shorten.
- Scoliosis. If you have a sideways curve in the spine then some muscles will be put under more strain than they can cope with.
- Bad posture. The head is a very heavy object and if you position it just a few centimeters the wrong way this can considerably increase the work the muscles of the back and neck have to do.
A back massage will temporarily ease the tension of the upper back that causes discomfort and pain. However, it will also be necessary to adjust your environment and try some Alexander Technique to become aware of your posture and change it for the better.
The majority of episodes of acute back pain are caused by damage to the muscles and/or ligaments in the low back and back massage can alleviate that pain. Even though a muscle strain doesn’t sound like a serious injury, the low back pain can be surprisingly severe and is the cause of many emergency room visits each year.
Causes of back pain:
Most references to back pain focus on lower back pain in the lumbar spinal region. However, back pain causes in no particular order are:
- Muscle, ligament and tendon problems are generally at the root of the pain problems along with some weakness in the lower back.
- Other body parts in the region can also be associated like bones and small joints.
- Accidents or injuries leaving muscle pain
- Osteoarthritis with deteriorating cartilage
- Osteoporosis with bone loss / fracture
- Fibromyalgia
- Major conditions like cancer
A back massage can both release tension and pain intensity of the back area.
Stretching and strengthening with Yoga can help remedy and alleviate back pain. Discover how yoga can help with back pain at www.Eternity-Yoga.com, a site filled with information on yoga's healing powers.
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