Massage Therapy

All back pain sufferers learn over time the methods that work best to help with pain and healing. At one time we all thought that bed rest and some anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen were our only choices, but over time we’ve learned there are a great number of choices when treating the discomfort of back pain.

Heat versus Cold. Some people swear by the use of ice packs and cold massage. These packs can be store bought or you can use a package of corn or peas from your freezer. Wrap the cold pack in a cloth and then gently massage the painful area for five to seven minutes. Once the area begins to feel numb that is the time to stop. Others prefer heat. A hot water bottle or heating pad applied to the lower back for fifteen to twenty minutes can chase away the back pain in a matter of days.

There are exercise options. The best choices come down to Tai Chi or yoga. Viniyoga is an excellent gentler approach to yoga that is for back pain sufferers. It builds core strength and stability while allowing the spine to stretch. This helps take pressure off the vertebrate and can be very useful for those suffering from back injuries. The stretching aspect of yoga lessens the tension on the muscles, increases blood flow and promotes healing. Tai Chi is similar in that it too promotes healing and prevention of back pain by the use of gentle movement and non-impact exercises. It teaches you how to improve your posture and balance. Tai Chi also helps to build muscle strength and balance.

Perhaps the best answer is a combination of one of the above exercises programs and nutritional supplements. Supplements are used to rebuild bone and cartilage, reduce pain and inflammation, as well as relax muscles. They are divided into two groups. The first ones build strength and the second relieves pain. When deciding to use nutritional supplements it is best to first discuss it with your doctor. Make certain that your back problem is not caused by something more serious that requires medical intervention. Your doctor can help you determine the correct dosages of the supplements.

Some useful strength builders are Glucosamine sulfate, calcium, magnesium and vitamins C and D. All of these will help to build bone and cartilage. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B, assists with the healing of cartilage. White willow bark, boswellia, bromelain and turmeric are also anti-inflammatories. Devils claw diminishes muscle pain, is an anti-inflammatory and will enhance the affects of regular pain medications. S-Adenosylmethionine strengthens the muscles.

Another useful method of back pain relief is water therapy. This allows someone with a back injury or severe back pain to exercise in a way that makes the physical effort much less. Although you will do very similar exercises to what you’d do out of the water, the buoyancy supports your weight, making it easier to do the workout. As well, warm water therapies are a good method of reducing pain and relaxing the muscles.

With so many options open to the average person when dealing with back pain choosing the right one can be somewhat daunting. An exercise program is definitely recommended and a gentle program offers benefits without being too demanding. Stay away from aerobics or isometrics as they are both too high impact for back pain relief and can do more harm than good. Cold or heat therapies are also a matter of personal preference. Nutritional supplements can be very beneficial as they strengthen and rebuild those damaged areas. They lessen pain and inflammation while improving the pain in your aching back.

Using a combination of all of these is likely the best answer. But maybe a little preventative medicine wouldn’t hurt either. Work on good posture. Hold yourself straight; keep your shoulders back and your head up. Don’t lead too sedentary a lifestyle or you’ll regret it. If sitting at your desk all day, make sure that after twenty minutes of sitting you take twenty seconds to flex those muscles. This will help prevent muscle pain. Walk. A good preventative program may make these other choices unnecessary.

I currently have a massage therapy certificate, but not my license yet because i dont know what state I want to move to yet, its either New Orleans or Atlanta.

You have to check with each state's massage board to find out what requirements are needed. Each state is different.

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What are some of this things you really delve into? What are some of the most crucial and time consuming things to study while in massage school? I haven't started massage school quiet yet, but i most likely am going to enroll for this autumn. What are the most renowned modalities that are widely practiced in the U.S., the world? Please be very descriptive when telling me your experiences and everything you know about massage therapy . Thanks so much!!!

Depends on where you are studying. All states and provinces have slightly different levels of study in order to become a registered massage therapist. I am in Ontario so I will go through 2300 hours of classes before I can become certified to work.

Term one for me was a lot of basic Anatomy & Physiology. This was the majority of the class time and study time. Learning each bone and muscle in the body, where they attach, what they do, etc. All the systems in the body (nervous, muscular, endocrine, respiratory…), how they function.

Then we also learned the beginnings of client assessment (how to observe posture, gait, pain, etc.) and therapeutic relations (how to be professional and what sorts of issues to expect).

Plus, of course, basic Swedish Massage techniques. We learned all the techniques and how to apply them in a basic full body relaxation massage.

Swedish massage is the most widely practised modality in the Western world. There are of course many techniques from different modalities than can be added to this (thai, hot stone, etc.)

It takes a lot of time to memorise and study all the science material, especially. I am lucky enough to not have to have a job throughout school, as it would be very stressful to spend time working when I should be studying.

Good luck deciding what to do and where to go. It's a very satisfying experience so far and I look forward to the career!

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In the past, I have had a combination of massage therapy and stretching to help relieve tightness and discomfort in a tight knee joint following an injury as part of rehabilitation for that knee. I am hoping that there are also similar techniques for alleviating tightness in the hips. Does anyone know of such a regimen for the hips (involving stretching and massage)?

Yes. Massage and stretching can be very helpful with improving the range of motion, fluidity and flexibility of any major joint of the body. Of course, if any injuries or conditions are involved, then special precautions are warranted. The key to any stretch and exercise routine is consistency. The proper consistent stretch routine would probably offer longer lasting affects than just massage itself. The massage work may hasten the flexibility gains and help you work through deep-seated tension throughout the hips, thus allowing quicker release of these areas. One consideration is why are the hips so tight? Are you continuing to do something in your daily routines that create this tightness? If there is something identified, can that be altered to decrease its affects on the hips? Types of massage to look for in therapists would be medical massage, sports massage, myofascial release and/or neuromuscular therapy certifications or training. Special considerations to biomechanics and muscle re-education are typically part of the training to help people with exactly what you are looking to find. Physical therapy might be another avenue to try as well. All therapists will have different approaches, so keep looking for that combination that will work for you. I wish you well in your pursuit.

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Has anyone been able to get massage therapy covered by Aetna? Chiropractic therapy is usually covered, but can massage therapy be "bundled" into this?

It doesn't matter that you have Aetna. Each plan is different. One person may have an Aetna plan that covers something and another person's Aetna plan may not cover it.

Maybe if you went to a pain center…it might be covered…that's just a guess though.

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