Massage for Back and Neck Pain

How can massage help back and neck pain?

Here at YOU Massage Therapy, we offer various types of treatment to help with improving your wellness from day to day. We have all suffered with tension and pain in our back or neck area at some point in our lives.

So what is this pain and why does it tend to happen?

The bones, ligaments, and muscles of your neck support your head and allow for motion. Any abnormalities, inflammation, or injury can cause neck pain or stiffness. Pain develops in the neck and may spread to the shoulder or base of the skull. Movement of the neck feels restricted and moving the neck may make the pain worse. Due to irritation of a nerve going to the arm from the spinal cord in the neck , pain can sometimes spread down the arm, as far as to the fingers where you may experience the sensation of ‘pins and needles’ in the arm or hand.

What causes back pain?

Back pain can be caused by lifting things incorrectly, bending awkwardly, bad posture whilst sitting or standing, twisting awkwardly, overstretching and/or overusing the muscles –during sport or repetitive movements. An accident or injury, such as a car accident or fall, or sleeping with your neck in a bad position. Anxiety and stress can also sometimes cause tension which can lead to pain in your upper back or neck.

You can normally manage your symptoms at home by following the advice below and with regular massage treatments.

  • Apply ice to help Reduce muscle pain and spasm. Ice will reduce pain by numbing the area and by limiting the effects of swelling.
  • Use heat- it also relaxes soreness and stiffness to help bring relief.
  • Exercise your neck every day. Slowly stretch your head in side-to-side and up-and-down motions.
  • Take a few days off from sports or other activities that aggravate your symptoms. Resume normal activity slowly as symptoms ease.
  • Use good posture.
  • Change your position often. Do not stand or sit in one position for too long.
  • Use a special neck pillow for sleeping.
  • Do not use a neck brace or collar without checking with your doctor’s approval. If not used properly, this can actually make the problem worse.

Massage therapy can help with back and neck pain by increasing the blood flow and circulation which brings oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and tissues, this helps the recovery of muscle soreness. Massage also helps by decreasing the tension in the muscles. This relaxation can improve flexibility, reduce pain and even improve sleep. Massage also encourages the release of endorphins which is a mood enhancer that can ease depression and anxiety, which can help speed up recovery of those suffering from chronic back or neck problems

Here at YOU Massage we offer a variety of treatments that can help ease your pain. Recommendation would be our signature Holistic Back massage to sooth and reduce tension, whole-istically approaching the problems you present with a variety of techniques and lifestyle advice. If you have had the condition for a period of time, you may be better off with a deep tissue massage for your back neck and shoulders, this is more remedial based massage, designed to remedy a problem. If you are stressed out or anxious our Indian Head Massage will help bring a level of relaxation like no other, and is available as an Indian Head and Back Massage combo.  

Prevention of back pain

  • Exercise regularly. Walking, swimming or using an exercise bike are all things you can do even if your back feels a bit sore. Take time to build up your fitness if you’re trying new activities. Swimming is a non- weight bearing exercise so there is very little impact of the skeletal system.
  • When lifting objects, bend your knees and hips, not your back.
  • Keep a good posture. If you work at a desk/computer, make sure your chair, desk and computer screen are set up correctly. You may be able to have your work station assessed by your employer.
  • Don’t stay in the same position for long periods of time.

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