BALANCE IN MOTION BODYWORK
Santa Barbara Massage & Pain Therapy
Back Pain
Back Pain and lower back pain can be greatly relieved by massage and bodywork. There are different techniques that may be used, depending on the specific problem and area of pain. The effects of massage can include increased blood flow, decreased muscle spasm, and an increase of range of motion. These benefits work together to decrease pain and allow for the return of normal function. Balance in Motion is an experienced Santa Barbara massage therapy provider for this type of injury.
TYPES OF BACK PAIN
You may experience back pain in the thoracic (upper/middle), lumbar (lower) and sacral (tailbone) regions of your spine. Your pain can be sudden-onset, as a result of some kind of injury or sudden motion, or gradual-onset, and it can be recurring. The types of pain you may experience can range from sharp to dull, and may be achy, with a general soreness, or a radiating referred pain.
STRUCTURE
Your back is involved in the most basic activities of your daily life. The joints allow you to bend forward, backward and sideways and to rotate. You have 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum. The lumbar vertebrae are large and support much of your body weight. The sacrum, which is also connected to the pelvis, allows for hip motion. Your spine houses your spinal cord and the many nerves carrying messages to the body, and is the attachment site for many muscles. The complexity of the structure and its many components make it a high-risk area for pain and injury.
MUSCLE GUARDING
When you sustain an injury or your back is not properly functioning, your muscles create an automatic splint. This splinting is in the form of muscle guarding or spasm. These spasms are your natural defense, eliminating motion and alerting you to pain. The increased tissue tension from muscle guarding and spasm can decrease blood flow to the area. The nerve endings are stimulated and get "fired up," sending messages of pain to your back. The pain-spasm cycle can be difficult to break: the pain creates spasm, the spasm creates pain. The guarding of the muscle decreases the ability of the surrounding joints to move freely.
FUNCTION OF MASSAGE
Massage uses touch to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. Increased blood flow supplies necessary oxygen for healing and allows for the removal of waste products. The tissue temperature increases, which can produce relaxation and the release of muscle guarding. Massage has the ability to increase your overall sense of wellbeing and can enhance your ability to heal. As your muscles relax, you may experience an increase in the mobility of your vertebral, rib and pelvic joints, which are all related to your back, and can be painful when movement is restricted.
TYPES OF MASSAGE
There are many types of massage that have beneficial effects. Two of the more commonly used massage techniques for therapy are myofascial release and trigger point therapy. Myofascial release is beneficial for larger areas of muscular tension. It is performed with a sustained pressure from the palms of the hands, without any oils or lubricants, allowing for a manual stretch of your muscles. Trigger point therapy relates to direct pressure to a small area with a thumb, finger or tool such as a tennis ball. I have had even more success with P-DTR Therapy,. which generally produces results in a fraction of the time massage requires.