Low Back Pain

Low back pain is a widespread health issue. Damage to the lower back muscles, ligaments and joints causes pain and discomfort that can make everyday activities, work and athletic activities a challenge. Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are trained to stop the cycle of low back pain, making patients more comfortable and active after treatments.

Common Causes:

Trauma: Injury to the lower back from a physical source e.g. sports injury, slipping on a wet surface, motor vehicle accident, a repetitive strain injury, twisting or turning, or lifting a heavy object.

Repetitive Strain Injury: Results from activities requiring excessive muscle force at a high rate of repetition, or from maintaining fixed, awkward positions for long periods of time.

Poor Posture: Excessive bend is the most common cause of low back pain. Some common causes are pregnancy, slouching and wearing high heeled shoes.

Tension: The muscles in the lower back may be tight from stress. This tightness reduces flexibility and makes individuals more susceptible to low back injury and pain.

Signs and Symptoms:

There are three types of low back pain. Acute low back pain appears suddenly and sufferers experience intense pain and muscle spasms. Chronic low back pain strikes frequently and lasts for three months or longer. Recurrent low back pain hits the same area periodically and pain generally stems from an injury, poor posture or muscle tone.

Treatment:

First consult your physician for a comprehensive diagnosis. Your RMT will then evaluate the diagnosis and suggest a treatment plan for your specific condition. Treatments include a combination of Massage Therapy, posture correction, relaxation techniques and therapeutic exercises.

Helpful Tips:

When standing, place a box or stool under one foot.

When sleeping, lie on your back on a firm mattress with a pillow underneath your knees, or sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs. Sleeping on your stomach bends the spine and forces the neck into an awkward position.

When sitting, sit straight back in chairs with lumbar support. If there is no lumbar support, place a pillow in the small of the back to keep a natural curve. Place your feet on the floor with thighs horizontal. Try lowering or raising your chair and place a stool under your feet for additional support.

Benefits:

Massage Therapy plays a key role in low back pain rehabilitation by decreasing muscle spasm and pain, restoring pain-free range of motion, correcting muscle imbalances and eliminating soreness.

Information courtesy of the Massage Therapists' Association of BC