HOW TO RELIEVE BACK PAIN WITH A MASSAGE

Back pain is very common nowadays. Most of us spend many hours working or in front of the computer, in addition to experiencing stress in our daily lives. All of this is reflected in our back since back pain sometimes appears due to tension in the muscles in that area due to poor posture or many hours in front of the computer. Other times, however, contractures are due to stress. The good news is that this can be solved with a back massage and we are going to tell you how.

Types of massage to relieve back pain

This answer is broad, as there are different types of massages that can relieve back pain. That is why we are going to list some of the most effective and common ones so you can indicate what you want to learn.

Masaje Shiatsu 

This type of massage is perfect for severe pain and contractures. It consists of eliminating muscle tension and is done by applying rhythmic movements and controlled pressure on the muscles.

Sports massage

As the name suggests, these are massages that are performed after exercising and feeling the body strained or after having suffered an injury. They also try to relax the affected muscle and are typical physiotherapy massages. 

Swedish massage

It is done with softer movements in this case and it is about relieving tension by kneading the body and the areas affected by it.

Thai massage

In this massage, not only the back is massaged, but the masseur seeks to move all the joints of the body to relax other muscles and thus create a feeling of relaxation throughout the body. It is performed using the weight of the body as a massage tool to relax the back.

How long should a back massage last?

The length of the massage is relative since if the pain is very localized in the back, half an hour and a relaxing technique may be enough. On the other hand, if the tension or pain is spread throughout the back, it is best to extend the massage to last an hour and touch several affected points, in addition to the neck area.

How do you do a relaxing back massage?

Although we have told you about some effective types of massage to relieve back pain that you can delve into according to your needs, we are going to give you some simple steps to do a relaxing massage that relieves back pain:

• As for the order in which you should perform the massage, you should follow the direction of blood flow: start at the lower back and work your way up.
• Press your fingers gently with the pads of your fingers from the inside (spine) to the outside of your back horizontally while continuing to massage upwards following the spine. 
• You can choose a horizontal strip of your back to press with your fingertips for about five minutes and, when you have finished with it, continue moving up as indicated in the other steps.
• If there is pain or a contracture located in one part of the back, you can relax it by making circles and pressing until you feel the tension disappear.

If the pain or discomfort is severe or if there is a contracture or injury, it is not advisable to manipulate it with back massages without the support of a professional. In some cases this could be harmful, so we recommend that you visit a professional doctor or physiotherapist if necessary.

Back pain accounts for about 40% of work absences. Because the back bears most of the weight and physical stress, it can lead to strain on the back muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Back pain, tightness, and stiffness can limit mobility and affect quality of life. Symptoms can last up to 6 weeks or less (acute) or up to 3 months (chronic). In some cases, back pain can be described as “unbearable” and interferes with your daily social roles and activities as it can increase pain or lead to further injury.

Although bed rest and applying heat or ice can help improve symptoms, massage for back pain offers a better solution that helps relax tired and sore muscles.