Back to Comfort: Massage Therapy for Chronic Back Pain
For months, Lucy had been living with pain in her lower back. She wasn’t sure what caused it; she only knew that it severely limited her ability to concentrate at work, take care of chores around the house, and spend time with her loved ones. Eventually, she visited Jennifer Scherbauer DC ND LLC for treatment, where she discovered the benefits of massage therapy for back pain.
Most people will experience back pain at least once in their lives. While the majority of those cases will be resolved, a percentage of them will linger for months–a condition known as chronic pain.
Lucy’s back pain fell into that category. By the time she visited us, she’d been struggling for three months–long past the time a back injury should have healed. Her pain was more complicated, with both physical and psychological components, making it harder to treat.
One thing that helped her find relief was massage therapy. If you, like Lucy, are struggling with chronic back pain, massage therapy might help you, too. Request an appointment with us to learn more.
Why Massage Therapy Can Help with Chronic Back Pain
One of the best ways to manage back pain is through targeted exercises that strengthen your core and back muscles, supporting your spine. But when you suffer from chronic pain, exercise can feel like an impossibility. Massage therapy for back pain helps close the gap.
Massage therapy involves manipulating the body’s soft tissue (your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia) to promote blood circulation and reduce restrictions in the tissue. This process helps with pain relief in and of itself. But more than that, it can promote relaxation and help reduce anxiety–an essential factor in managing chronic pain.
The other thing to remember is that there are multiple types of massage, and some are gentler than others. Our massage therapists will work closely with you to find the specific therapies that best suit your needs.
Four Types of Massage to Help with Chronic Back Pain
Swedish massage is a good “beginner” massage, especially if your body feels tender and sore. It can help promote muscle relaxation (and overall relaxation).
Trigger point massage is another good choice for people with chronic back pain. It focuses on releasing trigger points–tight knots of muscle fiber that can cause pain throughout the body.
Sports massage is a more focused type of massage, generally used to help athletes recover from injuries and improve their sports performance. It sometimes includes active stretches, which can benefit those suffering from chronic pain.
Deep tissue massage is an aggressive massage that targets deep muscle tissue. It’s an effective tool in addressing chronic pain, although it may be too intense for someone just starting treatment.
Find Pain Relief with an Appointment at Jennifer Scherbauer DC ND LLC
Regardless of your back pain, our team will develop a customized treatment plan to help you find lasting relief. We typically incorporate massage therapy for back pain alongside other treatment methods, such as chiropractic care or other all-natural approaches.
Ready to get started? Schedule your initial consultation today!