Therapeutic Massage Can Help Eliminate Neck And Back Pain

The adage that "everything old is new again" is particularly true for the treatment of pain. In the case of therapeutic massage, modern practitioners have finally realized the benefits of alleviating pain - especially neck and back pain - that were first noticed in 460 B.C. by civilization's first physician, Hippocrates. He reportedly said that "physicians must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing."

Chiropractors have led all other practitioners in using therapeutic massage for the treatment of pain. They diagnose and treat disorders in the musculoskeletal system and use massage therapy to manipulate the spine, joints and soft tissue. When areas of the body are incorrectly aligned, a chiropractor is trained to find reasons for this discomfort and correct it in non-evasive ways.

According to the Mayo Clinic, neck and back pain can occur for a variety of reasons. Several of the primary causes of this often excruciating pain are the muscle strain that results from lifting a heavy object, a sudden movement or a fall. When these muscles are strained, inflammation results around the strained area and this can lead to muscle spasms and severe pain.

Professional massage therapy can work out the spasm and irritation and improve the range of motion. It can also decrease swelling and increase blood circulation to improve healing.

Another type of back pain can result from spinal osteoarthritis. This is the breakdown of the cartilage between the joints in the spine. When this happens, the joints become inflamed and they begin to disintegrate causing friction that results from bones rubbing against bones.

Massage therapy can be used to treat this. It enables the reduction of stress and tension and increases circulation to help alleviate inflammation.

Recently, fibromyalgia has become a problem for many. It is characterized by pain, stiffness, fatigue and trouble sleeping. People who suffer from this feel both widespread and specific tender points of pain. Massage therapy can target those specific "tender points" of pain and also deal with the pain and stiffness that affects a broader area of the body.

Research has proven that therapeutic massage dramatically enhances the quality of life of someone suffering from neck or back pain. It works on several levels.

The increased blood flow resulting from the manual rubbing brings nutrition to the damaged area. It can decrease muscle tension improving flexibility. Plus, massage can increase the endorphin levels in the brain helping the patient who has been wracked with pain ease their depression and anxiety levels.