Causes Of Back Pain And How Massage Helps

By Arthur Bakeright

There are many causes of back pain and many treatment options. This article will focus on massage therapy, one of the most popular treatments of choice. We will look at some of the causes of back pain and how massage helps.

People who suffer from chronic back pain will assert that it is a life-altering ailment. It has serious implications regarding carrying out daily activities and functions and those suffering from back complaints can feel completely disabled by their condition.

Back pain can be devastating to every day life when your ability to do simple tasks is affected, and even more so if you are unable to work. Your social life can become disrupted and in chronic cases it can lead to severe depression.

Causes of Back Pain

Back complaints can be caused by something as simple as poor sleeping habits or poor lifting technique. In some individuals even a bout of sneezing can be a cause of pain as it may strain a muscle due to the convulsive action of a harsh sneeze, or it may cause a shift in the spine leading to muscle spasm. I recall once seeing a news report of an athlete who had to pull out of an event because she broke 3 ribs during a severe bout of sneezing!

Two categories for causes of back pain are muscular and skeletal.

The muscles can be tired and aching due to over use or carrying out tasks with poor technique. They can also carry emotional stress in the form of muscular tension.

If there is a skeletal issue, such as an injury to a vertebrae or vertebral disk, the muscles may go into spasm in an effort to restrict movement at the area reducing pain and the risk of further injury. This of course causes great stress and tension in the muscles.

The elderly, frail, and those suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis are more susceptible to all of these causes of back pain.

How Massage Helps

In terms of treatment, there are many options. These include pills, braces, acupuncture and physical therapies. One such physical therapy stands out for many as one of the most reliable and effective in dealing with back complaints: massage therapy. Massage helps back pain non-invasively and is low risk.

Historically, massage therapy was not readily accepted by conventional medicine as a valuable treatment for back pain (or any other pains for that matter). However it is now accepted as a valid and valuable complementary treatment, and recognised for its many therapeutic benefits.

Massage helps in simple but effective ways. The aim of massage therapy is to increases circulation and blood flow. This stimulates the rejuvenation of the muscles and tissues surrounding the affected area. Along with this it stimulates endorphin production which is a natural ‘feel good’ chemical produced by the body which also helps to deal with pain. It is also an inherently pleasant experience that appeals to virtually all people.

Though there can be many causes of back pain, massage helps all forms as it employs universal principles of healing. It may not cure a condition, but you can be sure that massage helps to promote physiological well being and pain management.