Back Pain Relief: Is Massage the Answer?

Persistent neck or back pain affects millions of people. It isn’t just that we feel uncomfortable now and then. For some people, spinal pain can be debilitating. Statistics indicate that many missed days of work are attributed to back pain each year. Furthermore, studies suggest that frequent bouts of pain or even low-grade back pain that persists contribute to a diminished quality of living for millions of people. It should be no surprise, then, to hear that many people seek healing modalities to manage their comfort levels.

Massage is a prime example of non-surgical, non-medical treatment for back and neck pain. Several benefits can be gained from periodic massage therapy. The question is, are those benefits enough to mitigate the need for clinical care?

MASSAGE: WHAT THERE IS TO GAIN

Numerous studies have been conducted to understand better what there is to gain from massage therapy. Massages aren’t just for relaxation; the occasional rub-down purportedly offers specific benefits for people struggling to control chronic pain, including:

• Increased circulation. Muscles rely on blood flow to recuperate from injuries of all kinds. The blood that circulates through sore, tight muscles delivers vital nutrients that support healing. Therefore, massage and its ability to increase circulation can aid in the recovery from minor tweaks to the back or neck.
• Reduced muscular tension. When we experience back pain, it is often because the muscles that surround the spine have become overly tensed and tight. Muscle tightness that occurs over time or after a long weekend of DIY-ing may be relieved by massage. However, acute pain may be caused by other spinal issues, such as a slipped disc or injury to one of the vertebrae in the spinal column. Intense pain or pain that persists for more than a few weeks should be thoroughly evaluated by your doctor.
• Increased endorphins. One of the reasons why massage may temporarily relieve pain is that the brain releases more endorphins in response to the physical stimulation of massage. Endorphins are brain chemicals that make us feel good. Additionally, these chemicals have a pain-reducing effect.

CAN MASSAGE RESOLVE BACK PAIN?

There is no arguing the benefits of massage. In instances of minor injuries, massage may achieve outstanding gains. However, chronic neck or back pain may indicate something more profound than muscle inflammation. Clinical care is vital to obtaining the desired outcome, which is more pain-free days.

Spinal surgery is the final consideration for treating back pain after other therapies have failed to attain the desired level of comfort. Innovative Spinal Care offers minimally-invasive surgery to patients in the Tampa area. To learn more about our services and how they can help you, call (813) 920-3022.