Facts about Back Pain

• Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints.
• In the U.S., acute back pain is the fifth most common reason for physician visits
• 85% of people can't remember the specific moment that they hurt their back.
• Four days of bed rest is no better than two days or no rest at all
• If you have experienced back pain in the past then you are more at risk to experience it agian
• Massage therapy, especially from an experienced therapist, can provide short term relief. Acupressure or pressure point massage may be more beneficial than classic (Swedish) massage.
• See a health care practictioner that you trust
• Routine X-rays of the spine are unnessessary and usually of little value
• About nine out of ten adults experience back pain at some point in their life, and five out of ten working adults have back pain every year.
• The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain
• Approximately 98% of back pain patients are diagnosed with nonspecific acute back pain which has no serious underlying pathology.
• Also, herniated disc is the most common neurologic impairment which is associated with this condition, from which 95% of disc herniations occur at the lowest two lumbar intervertebral level.
• Most back pain syndromes are due to inflammation, especially in the acute phase, which typically lasts for two weeks to three months.
• A few observational studies suggest that two conditions to which back pain is often attributed, lumbar disc herniation and degenerative disc disease may not be more prevalent among those in pain than among the general population
• Bed rest is rarely recommended as it can exacerbate symptoms, and when necessary is usually limited to one or two days. Prolonged bed rest or inactivity is actually counterproductive, as the resulting stiffness leads to more pain.
• One study found that exercise is also effective for chronic back pain, but not for acute pain.
• Deep Moist Heat therapy is useful for back spasms or other conditions for short term effects
• Depending on the particular cause of the condition, posture training courses and physical exercises might help with relieving the pain. These exercises can be given to you by your massage therapist.

What should I do when I’ve hurt my lower back?

The best position for relief when your back hurts is to lie on your back on the floor with pillows under your knees, with your hips and knees bent and your feet on a chair or just with your hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off your back. If you’re resting a hurt back, you may need a day or two of this sort of rest. Resting longer than this can cause your muscles to weaken, which can slow down your recovery. Even if it hurts, walk around for a few minutes every few hours.

Most people feel better whether they have actue or chronic back pain after they receive massage therapy. Depending on the type of problem the client has, different techniques are used to eliminate pain in different ways. Techniques such as pin-and-stretch to a muscle with an active trigger point are highly effective and have long lasting results.