In this article, items in blue are hyperlinks to Patient Resource leaflets produced by qualified physiotherapists, designed to help you manage your back pain better.

One of the most common reasons people come for a massage is because of the grinding pain they feel in their lower back.

Low back pain covers a broad range of problems affecting joints and soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs and nerves. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness and limited range of motion. The cause of your back pain may be hard to determine:y sometimes it is age-related or due to your occupation, activity level and lifestyle. Other causes involve wear and tear (overuse), trauma, degeneration or even genetic disorders. Once Red Flags are ruled out, treatment may be finding ways to help you manage the pain.

Pain is the most common symptom of back pain sufferers, and can be difficult to treat. Acute pain can manifest into a chronic problem caused by delayed healing, inadequate treatment or complications derived from the original injury. Pain doesn’t have to be the only symptom; there can also be nerve symptoms such as burning, tingling or numbness. Other symptoms that can develop with your back issues include depression, anxiety and stress. This can be due to the problem impacting on your work, family or social life. Pain itself can be depressing and cause anxiety, not to mention its impact on sleep deprivation which in turn causes further stress and depression.

There is lots you can do to manage back pain: looking after yourself: starting the day well, keeping active and flexible, preparing for sleep and sleeping well, including how you sleep in bed. Professionals are there just to help you on your way.

Massage therapy is an effective tool in the treatment and management of back pain. Massage can produce a number of benefits which can enable you to improve your performance and functioning such as a decrease in pain, improvement in range of motion and tissue flexibility. It not only addresses the problem of pain directly by reducing it but also induces relaxation which will relieve stress and anxiety associated with the problem.

Massage can improve your overall health and mental energy, giving you a more positive outlook.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

1. Massage for Pain Reduction

Massage increases muscle flexibility and reduces tension which could be creating pain. A massage will also increase serotonin production (happy hormones) thereby reducing stress levels and decreasing pain. Massage triggers the release of natural pain killers, such as dopamine. The physical touch and pressure of massage also interfere with pain signal transmission and reduces its ability to reach the brain.

Massage promotes healing by increasing blood flow to the area, bringing with it oxygen and nutrients. Muscle spasm, pain and swelling can be reduced through massage improving the symptoms you may be experiencing that are adding to your stress. Stress is associated with pain, for example anxiety about an illness or injury, or concern about how it may be impacting you personally, professionally and financially. Cortisol, a stress hormone is released in response to pain, further increasing your stressful experience of pain. The more the pain increases, the more the stress increases, which will in turn keep increasing the pain levels.

2. Massage for Relaxation

Relaxation can be increased when stress is reduced. When stress levels are high both physically and mentally, relaxation is prevented. Muscles become tense and painful, and headaches or pain compound your stress and frustration. A massage aims to relieve muscle tension, and does so in the following way.

• Friction is created between the skin and fingers during a massage, encouraging blood flow to increase.
• Increasing blood flow causes the muscle temperature to rise.
• Tissue elasticity increases releasing tension in the muscles.
• Relaxation of muscles allows an increase in movement and a decrease in pain.

Massage is also proven to reduce blood pressure and heart rate which will allow your body to de-stress and reduce the symptoms you may be feeling of stress and anxiety.

Cortisol is a stress-related hormone released when the brain detects a threat. Prolonged periods of high cortisol levels (often the case when dealing with chronic pain) can lead the individual to feel anxious, stressed and depressed. Massage can promote relaxation, by increasing the release of endorphins and serotonin (happy hormones) and enable you to feel calm, therefore reducing the release of cortisol. Low levels of cortisol can enable the individual to feel alert, observant and aware.

3. Massage for Improved Flexibility and Movement

The friction and manipulation of muscles and soft tissues during massage stimulate blood flow to the area. The increase in circulation and warmth increases tissue flexibility and can release tight structures and improve movement. The application of massage can help to reduce muscle tension, fascia tension and scar tissue all of which can assist in improved muscle flexibility andinjury prevention. The manual stretching and elongation of muscles during a massage can improve joint movement.

4. Massage for Trigger Point Release

A trigger point is a tight ‘knot’ within the muscle where congestion has created a hypersensitive area that can refer pain to neighbouring areas and create headaches. A therapist can use their fingers