Massage therapy
Description
Massage therapy can help people who have chronic back pain. It helps decrease painful swelling and may help you relax. It works best when it's a part of a treatment plan.
Most of the time, massage therapy can relieve pain for a period of time, but it does not cure the problem causing the pain.
Types of massage for back pain
There are many kinds of massage. Some kinds focus on body structure (such as muscles, tendons, and lymph nodes), and others focus on helping you relax.
The kind of massage is not as important as finding a certified massage therapist who listens to you and gives you the kind of massage that will help you most.
Benefits of massage
Many people with chronic (long-term) back pain who receive regular massages as part of their treatment plan need less pain medicine.
Some other common benefits of massage are:
- Improved sleep
- Reduced pain and muscle spasms
- Increased range of motion in the joints
- Decreased feelings of depression
Who should not have massage to treat back pain?
If you have any of the health conditions in the list below, talk with your health care provider before you start massage therapy:
- Heart or kidney failure
- Fever or infection
- Blood clots or bleeding disorders
- Skin rashes
- Recent surgery
- Significant spinal deformity
- Cancer -- especially if you are having chemotherapy or radiation treatment
If your symptoms worsen with massage treatment, you should stop the treatment.
If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar level before and after a massage. Make sure your blood sugar is not low before a massage. Massage may cause your blood sugar level to drop.
Women who are pregnant should go to a massage therapist who specializes in pregnancy massage. These therapists have special massage tables.
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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