Massage can be a helpful add-on to conventional medical care for back pain. It can reduce discomfort and get you back on your feet faster.
In the United States massage is an accepted alternative medicine used for many forms of back pain.
Because massage therapy does not rely on pharmaceuticals, it has become a popular choice to alleviate chronic back pain naturally. Massage therapy can also provide a long-term benefit in the form of prevention or reduction of pain.
While massage could be done by nearly anyone, it’s important to seek out the professional experience of a licensed massage therapist.
When massage is done correctly it can help ease suffering; however, when it is done incorrectly, the pain may get worse.
It’s important to understand which methods have no effect, some mild benefits, and some very severe ones.
A Brief History of Massage Therapy
The history of massage therapy can be traced back thousands of years. Historical references of massage can be found in manuscripts from ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, Asia, and Middle East.
During the Renaissance, massage became widespread in Europe. In the 1850s, two American physicians who studied in Sweden introduced massage therapy to the United States, making it popular for several health reasons.
During the 1930s and 1940s, medical advancements led to a decline in massage as a treatment in the United States.
Since the 1970s, massage has regained popularity, particularly among athletes.
The Benefits of Massage Therapy Done Correctly
There are many benefits to traditional massage.
For example, massage therapy may provide release from emotional stress, tension, tension on the skin. It provides a release that can help to ease stress.
Massage can alleviate the signs of aging. Additionally, massage is also good for your circulatory system, as it helps the circulation of blood.
It provides relaxation and sleep. When done correctly, it is therapeutic and can ease pain.
Needless to say, massage is a useful and reliable treatment.
Pain Relief Through Massage Therapy
Massage is used to relieve pain, rehab sports injuries, reduce stress, improve relaxation, reduce anxiety and depression, and support general wellness.
Traditional massage may also help prevent muscle spasms and other forms of back pain. Massage can provide relief from stress or exercise.
Therapeutic massage can be used as a collaborative, supportive addition to conventional medical treatment of illness and injury, alleviating pain and stress, aiding soft tissue healing, and revitalizing the body.
Massage Therapy and Treating Depression
One study found clearly better results for people with major depressive disorder receiving Swedish massage.
Massage therapy offers relief and relaxation in the form of healing that medical treatments alone cannot provide.
Massage therapy has shown great promise in alleviating depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder, and people are becoming more aware of the benefits of a combination of treatment options.
Many people also use massage therapy as an effective treatment for migraines and headaches.
Massage Therapy as an Integrative Solution
Massage therapy is often included in integrative medicine approaches. This makes massage a versatile component to approaching wellness in a more wholistic manner.
Over the years, physicians have become more receptive to recommending massage therapy, including to the muscles of the lower leg, as part of treatment for plantar fasciitis.
For example, instead of a whole-body treatment though, a therapeutic massage session tends to focus on your targeted area of concern — for an extended period of time.
Because of this versatility, you may also talk about what you expect to achieve from the massage session and any goals you have for your massage therapy treatments.
Massage therapists may recommend to clients personalized treatment plans, such as details on how to relax beyond sessions. Some techniques may include stretches, breathing exercise, or lifestyle suggestions into the treatment plan.
Often, learning more about the various types of massage therapy options available can determine the best treatment options.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in discovering how routine massage therapy can help you, we encourage you to contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our certified massage therapists.