Low back pain is the
fifth most common reason for physician visits in the US. Does that number
surprise you? And although there are many causes for low back pain, most
treatment programs still rely heavily on pain management over problem solving.
Therapeutic massage and stretching are two treatment methods that can help
solve back pain problems long term and thus relieve pain, but they often work
best when they are employed together.
The following is a
closer look at therapeutic massage and stretching, and how they work in conjunction to help relieve back pain.
Therapeutic Massage
Massage is more commonly
being offered alongside a standard treatment regimen for a wide range of
medical conditions. And the studies show that this is a good call. Research
demonstrates that therapeutic massage is effective for reducing pain, stress
and muscle tension. Imagine that; now you have a medically-valid excuse to sit
on the massage table every week. Does it get any better than that?
Massage may also be
helpful for other conditions too. More research must be done, of course, but
massage is being studied for its role in treating issues like anxiety,
fibromyalgia, insomnia, headaches, nerve pain (hello, piriformis syndrome!) and
joint pain.
Stretching
Is there anything
easier than stretching? Most of us do it naturally in the morning when we get out
of bed. It's as if the body knows what it needs, and we can't help but oblige.
Unfortunately, some stretching is slightly more labored than the morning
stretch, but it is just as important. Stretching can help increase flexibility
and range of motion in the joints. It is notoriously good for increasing
mobility in the hips and back.
Since stretching
relieves muscle tension, it naturally helps oxygen flow through the muscles and
improves circulation. As the tension is relieved in your muscles, so is much
(or even some) of the pain. This makes it easier for most folks to concentrate
on their daily tasks and get their lives back on a track that is closer to the
normal they once new.
Stretching AND Therapeutic Massage
Both treatment methods
are targeted at relieving muscle tension, which we know can be a contributing
factor in back pain. But they do not have to be mutually exclusive. These
complementary treatments can work together to help relieve your back pain
naturally. By adding stretching AND therapeutic massage to your treatment
program, you're putting the focus where it is most needed – the problematic
muscles – and getting yourself on track for recovery.
A Word on Stretching
Stretching is only
helpful in your treatment plan when you are stretching the right muscles. Think
about it. If you have tight hamstrings, would a forearm stretch help? Probably
not. And we happen to know that the muscle at the root of many cases of back
pain, the piriformis muscle, can be a difficult one to target. That's why we developed
the Piri-Stretcher®. This FDA-registered device was designed to help users
target this elusive muscle at home, so they can make the most out of each
stretch.
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