Massage Therapy for Low Back Pain
Massage Therapy for Low Back Pain
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It’s been estimated that 80% of people will experience low-back pain at some point in their life. Low-back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal concerns globally and is a leading reason that people miss work or are limited from enjoying their regular activities. Low-back pain is also considered the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Massage therapy can help people with low-back pain reduce their pain, improve their physical function, and improve their overall quality of life.
Reducing Pain
Massage therapy, particularly when compared to placebo or sham treatments or relaxation techniques, has been found to help people with low-back pain reduce short-term pain and disability. Massage therapy can also help people with chronic back-pain find some pain relief, with benefits lasting up to six months for many people.
A home-based exercise routine, which can be recommended by a massage therapist, has also been found to help people with low-back pain decrease both the amount of pain they are feeling and their pain intensity. When hands-on massage is combined with an exercise program recommended by an RMT, it is even more effective in helping people with chronic low back pain reduce their pain intensity than hands-on massage alone.
Improving Function
When people with chronic low-back pain receive massage therapy care, they can remain more active and stay in their jobs longer. Massage therapy can also reduce the level of disability reported by people with low back pain, as well as help improve their range of motion.
People with low-back pain report that their overall function has improved after receiving massage therapy treatment. Massage therapy can help people with low-back pain regain much of their normal capability to move and to complete their regular activities, especially when combined with exercise therapy.
Improving Quality of Life
There are a variety of symptoms that are associated with low-back pain, including depression, anxiety and sleep concerns. Massage therapy can help people with low-back pain improve their sleep and reduce their symptoms of anxiety.
Symptoms of anxiety have been found to be higher in people with chronic back pain, and anxiety can have a significant impact on disability and quality of life when people have chronic low-back pain. People with low back pain also regularly report a reduced quality of life.
Conclusion
Low-back pain is a common experience that can have a disruptive impact on someone’s life. It can make it harder to continue working, to complete your regular daily activities, and to participate in what you love. Massage therapy is a great option, especially when combined with exercise therapy which could be recommended by an RMT, to help people with low-back pain reduce their pain and improve their function.
References
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