Massage For Back Pain – Causes Of Back Pain And Back Massage

Massage For Back Pain

Back pain is becoming an increasingly common problem with people belonging to all age groups, especially students and working persons who have a hectic lifestyle. Carrying heavy loads, using chairs that do not have a proper backrest, and sitting or standing in the same position for too long, are some of the common causes of back pain. Back pain may also result from external injury caused during exercising or lifting a load. Sometimes, an inactive, sedentary lifestyle may also lead to back pain. An easy way of preventing back pain is to ensure that your back is never under excessive pressure for a prolonged period of time. Regularly shifting your position while working, or shifting the load from the back to your arms while carrying heavy goods, are a few precautionary measures that you may find useful in avoiding back pain. You should also do a few basic stretching exercises under the supervision of your trainer to tone up the muscles of your back without straining them excessively.

Besides, there are various kinds of massages that help relieve back pain, each involving distinct techniques. You should adopt a particular kind of massage only after consulting your physician and your trainer. One of the most popular back massages is the Swedish massage, in which the therapist kneads the uppermost layer of your back muscles in gentle, circular motions, alternating them with long vertical strokes. Generally, a body lotion or oil is used during this kind of massage, so that it seeps into the skin and gradually relaxes the tense muscles. A similar procedure is used in aromatherapy, where the masseur uses aromatic and essential oils like rosemary and lavender during the massage. This kind of massage is beneficial in cases where the back pain is the result of both physical and emotional stress. The fragrant oils not only relieve the physical stress from the muscles of the back, but also have a de-stressing influence on the emotional state of the patient. In case your whole back hurts, the therapist should employ the entire surface of his arms to stroke your muscles in rhythmic, upward movements that should start from the lower back and move up to the neck and then circle around the region of the shoulders. If the pain is more localized, the palms and the thumb may be used in firm, circular motions; three times first in a circular and then in an anti-circular way. This helps improve blood circulation, rejuvenate nerve endings and ease out the pressure on the muscles of the back.