Back massage for adults

There are so many tense muscles and ligaments on the human back that many people experience tension and pain in different areas of the back throughout their lives. According to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, back pain is the second most common neurological disease in the world. Experts estimate that 8 out of 10 people suffer from back pain at some point.

It has long been known that physiotherapy, including massage courses, helps in the treatment of many back problems. The Journal of the American Academy of Family Physicians reports that in controlled studies testing the effectiveness of therapeutic massage, it was found that people experiencing back pain received more relief from soft tissue manipulation and massage than from a placebo. When a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience compared massage therapy with muscle relaxation, the massage group reported experiencing less anxiety, pain, and depression than the other group.

Benefits of back massage for adults

Massage can help relieve muscle spasms that occur when the costal or spinal joints become stiff. A course of massage helps these joints function better. You can even increase the mobility of the sacroiliac joint or coccyx by massaging the gluteal muscles and relieving tension in the tissues.

Along with enhancing the effects of other treatments, back massage can greatly relieve both acute and chronic back pain. Whether chronic pain is caused by limited mobility of the spinal, pelvic, and costal joints, or nerve compression due to muscle spasm, disease, or structural dysfunction, a well-executed back massage can address these issues.

In addition to pain relief, massage can provide other benefits. Massage of the back area plays an active role in improving the overall health of the patient because regular massage helps the human body maintain a higher level of relaxation. It helps reduce stress, improve sleep, and increase endorphins, which act as natural mood enhancers.

The body can function better after a massage due to increased blood circulation, which delivers oxygenated blood to working muscles and removes metabolic waste from internal organs and tissues. Back massage also provides greater flexibility, as relaxed muscles and movable joints allow for increased range of motion.

Harm of back massage for adults

Muscle spasm should relax in response to pressure from the massage therapist. If the muscle does not relax in response to pressure, inflammation is usually present. Massage is not the best treatment option for sore muscles, and patients should consult their physician for treatment of inflammation.

For most muscle spasms, 4 massage sessions are required to achieve the best effect, usually over a period of 6 weeks. If muscle spasms do not begin to respond to neuromuscular therapy within 2 massage sessions, neuromuscular massage may not be the best treatment option.

Back massage contraindications for adults

Contraindications are absolute and relative.

Absolute (never do):

• oncological diseases;
• psychiatric illnesses;
• tuberculosis;
• AIDS;
• hemophilia;
• aneurysm.

Relative (temporarily it is impossible to do massage):

• viral and infectious diseases;
• temperature;
• alcohol and drug intoxication;
• purulent lesion of the skin;
• hypertensive crisis.

How to do a back massage for adults at home

Depending on your goals and situation, a massage therapist may recommend one specific type of massage or a combination of both. These include:

• classic or relaxing massage – the most common massage in our country with light and medium pressure;
• deep tissue massage – deeper pressure on the muscle structure;
• Hot Stone Envy – which uses smooth, water-heated stones to improve blood circulation and relax muscles.

Each type of massage has its own benefits, so be sure to discuss your back pain with your therapist. You can choose one particular style of massage and repeat it with every session, or you can choose to combine different styles at different times.

Although you can do massage yourself, if these are therapeutic effects, they can only be carried out by an experienced massage therapist. Therefore, for a course of therapeutic back massage, it is better to invite a specialist to your home.

Popular questions and answers

Answered questions about back massage massage therapist Alexander Kholmogorov.