One of the leading reasons that people seek massage treatment is for Lower Back Pain (LBP). Most episodes of LBP are experienced in the Lumbar region, which is comprised of five vertebrae L1-L5 and the supporting muscles.
However, I am very happy to share with you that most cases of LBP, regardless of cause are a temporary issue and usually resolve within 2-6 weeks.
The number one reason that people tend to hurt their lower back is due to sprains and strains. A sprain is an over stretching or tearing of ligaments, while a strain is an over stretching or tearing of muscle or tendons or both. Both can occur as a result of lifting incorrectly or lifting something that is too heavy. Ouch!
Some clients will benefit from bed rest and others will feel better with light movement or stretching, such as walking or restorative yoga, but easy does it. I recommend putting ice on the area intermittently and as soon to the actual causal event as possible. This will help to reduce inflammation and manage pain. The use of oral or topical arnica is also fantastic for swelling and bruising and Yoga Nidra meditation has been found to be highly effective in managing pain and reducing muscle tension - both of these are definitely in my toolkit.
Once the acute phase has passed and inflammation has subsided, you’ll likely be left with some limited range of movement, or perhaps some shooting pains on movement. Please don’t live with this. This is the perfect time to book a massage! Massage will assist your body back to homeostasis… where ultimately it wants to be.
If you have been suffering chronic LBP or have recently experienced a lower back injury a few consecutive weekly massages will provide the best outcomes. From there, you may not need further treatment or for others it may be a matter of attending management sessions, which will help to prevent further strain.
I was very humbled by a recent review from a client with lower back pain after he received his first of three consecutive weekly treatments “I spent lots of money on medical and therapeutic practitioners in my pursuit of relief from lower back pain. Lou's therapy is in a different league. She is thorough, precise, caring and professional in all the wonders she works. Don't waste your money elsewhere if you have a serious issue, Lou is the best practitioner I have ever encountered. Her knowledge, passion and life experience make for a truly holistic experience whether you want to de-stress or tackle your issues. Highly recommend!”
If this post speaks to you, please get in touch xx