Massage for Low Back Pain

A Simple and Effective Therapy for this Common Condition

Dec 18, 2007

Back pain is a very common symptom for which there are a number of different treatments. Massage has been shown to be a simple and effective therapy for this condition.

Back pain is an almost epidemic condition in the western world. Many people suffer from it for much of their adult lives and millions of working days are lost to industry.

It's a symptom that has a number of different causes. The most common is muscular or ligamentous strain. This can arise from lifting heavy objects, a sporting injury or be generated more insidiously by postural strain, frequent and prolonged sitting in an awkward position for example. Arthritis of the spine is common in middle age but there is no clear link between this and back pain. Some individuals show marked osteoarthritic changes on X-ray but experience very little pain and vice versa.

As you would expect for such a common problem there are many suggested treatments. These include complete rest, exercise, heat packs, cold packs, medication, acupuncture, manipulation, massage and spinal injections. A big problem is that until quite recently very little good quality research has been carried out to determine which is the best treatment.

Massage

Massage is one of the simplest and safest methods for the treatment of back pain of muscular or ligamantous origin. And now there is scientific evidence that it works. A Cochrane Collaboration study found that massage is likely to be effective for subacute and chronic low back pain. It was all the more effective if combined with exercise and patient education (advice on lifting and posture). The beneficial effects of massage seemed to be evident a year after treatment.

Types of Massage

There is a suggestion in the study that ‘acupuncture massage’ may be more beneficial than classical massage. By ‘acupuncture massage’ the authors mean acupressure or trigger point massage.

The eastern and western traditions of massage differ, although many practitioners combine techniques. Western massage, Swedish massage for example, uses stroking, tapping and stretching movements, mainly working on the body of the muscle. Eastern massage, such as acupressure or shiatsu, employs the use of finger pressure on acupoints along the acupuncture meridians.

First Line Treatment

Because it is relatively simple and safe, massage is a good first line treatment if you’re suffering from back pain, especially if you combine it with gentle stretching exercises. As with any type of treatment there are contraindications. Skin that is bruised or cut, swollen or excessively tender should not be massaged.