What is Lower Back Pain?

We will discuss why an individual might feel severe lower back pain after massage therapy but first, it’s important to understand lower back pain.

Lower back pain is when the area just above your hips hurts. This can happen if you sit or stand in the wrong position, lift heavy things, or even play too much. Many people, both kids and adults, can have lower back pain.

Sometimes, this pain can make it hard to move around or do the things you love, like playing outside or riding your bike.

Can a Massage Make Back Pain Worse?

massage makes back pain worse

It’s not uncommon for some people to experience severe Lower back pain after massage therapy, especially if the technique isn’t suited to their specific needs. Here’s why this might happen:

  • More Blood Flow: Massages increase blood flow, making your back feel more painful.
  • Sore Muscles: After an intense massage, your muscles might feel sore.
  • Wrong Massage Technique: If the person giving the massage doesn’t do it right, it could hurt your back more.
  • Medical Conditions: Some massages might not suit you if you have a health problem like a slipped disc.
  • Inflammation: If your back is inflamed, some massages might worsen it briefly.

If your back pain gets terrible after a massage, tell the therapist so they can help fix it.

Understanding Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness After a Massage

A delayed onset muscle soreness after a massage is not a strange thing. It has been known to come about when muscles that are not frequently used are touched during a massage. There are specific explanations for this phenomenon:

How DOMS Develops:

Muscle Stimulation:

The given condition emerges when a massage stimulates hostility in sleeping muscles. This sudden stimulation leads to the occurrence of the micro-tears in the muscle fibres.

Inflammatory Response:

uch pulls cause these micro-tears to your muscles and elicit the occurrence of the inflammatory response as the repairing of the muscle tissue takes place. This is normal and natural.

Adaptation Phase:

just as in the process of exercise, one’s muscles require a certain amount of time to adjust to the stimuli that they have received to the mineral they are subject to later.

Therefore, the development of soreness might be evidenced by the adaptation of the muscles to manipulation. To sum up, the occurrence of DOMS after a massage is highly similar to the development of soreness after working out.

How Can Massages Be Helpful for back pain?

Massages can make your back feel better by making your muscles relax. Here are different types of massages that can help:

  1. Swedish Massage: This gentle massage feels like a soft, relaxing rub.
  2. Deep Tissue Massage: This massage is more vigorous and goes deeper into your muscles, which can help if your back pain is terrible.
  3. Trigger Point Therapy: This massage presses tight spots in your muscles to make the pain go away.
  4. Sports Massage: This massage helps athletes feel better and can also help you if you get back pain from playing sports.
  5. Shiatsu Massage: This massage comes from Japan and uses finger pressure on specific points of your body to help you feel better.

How Regular Massages Can Help Reduce Post-Massage Soreness

post massage soreness

Are you feeling sore back after a massage? Following a relaxing session can be a familiar experience for many people who seek massage therapy. However, it seems relatively more straightforward to reach that level of soreness if you have not had a massage in too long or if your muscle tension is higher than usual.

Muscle Memory Formation

Your muscles begin to form a memory when you get massages more often. This muscle memory occurs as the body adjusts to the pressure and the manipulation used during a massage session. It will reduce the soreness you are likely to feel after each session over time.

Improved Flexibility and Mobility

Regular massages target specific body areas with tension, such as the neck, shoulders, or lower back. Because these “problem body areas” are consistently worked on, regular massages help in flexibility and mobility. It means your body will be more comfortable, with less strain and less likelihood of pain or soreness after each session.

Enhanced Blood Circulation

Massaging muscles helps stimulate blood circulation. Enhanced blood circulation means the muscles’ toxin flushing out is quicker, and nutrient delivery to the muscles is more efficient. It means improved recovery with reduced muscle inflammation and less likelihood of soreness after each massage.

Reduced Inflammation

Regular massages will help reduce the inflammation happening in your body. In terms of reducing inflammation, it is less likely you will feel soreness due to the occasional infrequent massage in your system or the profound massage mistake.

Relaxation and Stress Reduction

Muscle stiffness or soreness is frequently intensified by chronic tension. Regular massages will help you relax and decrease stress, which could significantly worsen your tension. If you are more relaxed, you are much less likely to be sore after the massage.

Incorporate Regular Massages into Your Routine

To gain these benefits, have regular sessions. It could be every week, every two weeks, or every month. As long as you are consistent with the practice, your body will follow through on the frequency. Regular massage sessions ensure you get a massage that is specific to your body’s needs. This action will help ensure maximum benefit with less likelihood of being sore after each session.

 

How Can Consistent Massages Maximize Benefits and Minimize Discomfort?

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Some amount of soreness or discomfort after the treatment is average, so do not worry. The key is to approach the post-massage routine in a way that would boost your overall well-being.

The Benefits of Regular Massages

Enhanced Muscle Recovery: Regular massages strengthen blood flow, promoting the quicker recovery of muscle tissue.

Stress Reduction: Regular massages considerably reduce stress hormone levels. Thus, you are more likely to feel happier and more relaxed.

Improved Flexibility: As a result of regular exposure, clients enjoy less muscle tension and stiffness. This, in turn, increases the range of motion.

Tips to Minimize Discomfort

Hydrate Well: Drink enough water before and after the session and flush the toxins out of the muscles.

Light Activity: Walk or stretch after the massage to stimulate circulation.

Rest and Recover: Do not start training immediately if you try a different massage technique.

Finding the Right Fit

To find the best massage type and massage pressure to match your desires and needs, refer to the following tips. Here is what can be done:

Experiment with Different Techniques: Swedish, deep tissue and sports massage should be tried to determine what is more convenient for you.

Adjust Pressure Levels: Always tell your therapist which pressure you prefer and what feels the most comfortable.

Consult Multiple Therapists: Different people have different approaches, and one of them will surely suit you better than the others.

Following these rules, you can find the best type of massage and the most comfortable pressure to expend pleasant moments and achieve maximum benefits.

What to Do If You Have Severe Lower Back Pain After Massage Therapy?

If you experience severe lower back pain after massage therapy, addressing the issue and finding relief is essential. Here are five things you can do:

Rest and Ice:

best ice pack for back pain relief

Lie comfortably and apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15-20 minutes. This can help reduce inflammation and numb the pain. Place a cloth between the ice pack and your skin to prevent frostbite.

Consult Your Massage Therapist:

Contact the therapist who gave you the massage to discuss your symptoms. They can provide insights into what might have gone wrong and suggest modifications for future sessions. A good therapist can also recommend stretches or exercises to alleviate your pain.

Over-the-counter Pain Relief:

Consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications can help reduce pain and inflammation, making it easier to move around and rest comfortably.

Gentle Stretching:

gentle stretch

Perform gentle stretching exercises to help relax your muscles and improve circulation. Avoid any movements that cause sharp pain. Focus on stretches that target the lower back, hips, and hamstrings.

Seek Medical Advice:

when to consult a doctor

Consult a healthcare professional if your pain persists or worsens. They can evaluate your condition, diagnose it properly, and recommend appropriate treatments. It’s crucial to rule out any severe underlying conditions requiring specialized care.

Finding a Massage therapy for back pain near me

finding best massage therapist near me

If you’re concerned about severe lower back pain after massage therapy, it’s crucial to find a therapist skilled in treating lower back pain specifically. here’s what to do:

  • Check if the person giving the massage is good at their job: Ensure they have the proper training and good reviews from others.
  • Look for an exceptional massage therapist: Some therapists are better at specific massages that might be more helpful for your back pain.
  • Find a place that’s easy to get to: Choosing a place close to home is good so that you can go there quickly.

Tools to Help with Lower Back Pain at Home

  1. Massage Guns: These are like tiny machines that give you a massage. They can help relax your muscles.
  2. Heating Pads with Massage: These pads get warm and give you a gentle massage at the same time, which helps your muscles relax.
  3. Massage Belts: You can wear these around your lower back. They give a gentle massage and can make your back feel better.

How do I choose the right massage therapist for back pain near me?

severe lower back pain after massage therapy

Choosing the right therapist is vital to avoid severe lower back pain after massage therapy and ensure you get the most benefit from the treatment. Here’s how to do it:

  • Check their credentials: Make sure the therapist is trained and certified.
  • Experience: Choose someone with a lot of experience helping with back pain.
  • Read Reviews: Look at what others say about them to see if they are good.
  • Feel Comfortable: Make sure you feel good talking to your therapist about your pain and what you need.

Conclusion

It is natural to feel frustrated and worried if you suffer from severe lower back pain after massage therapy. However, it should be taken into account that not all massages are the same; everyone has different reactions. With the correct use of a massage therapist and similarly catered techniques to your area of need, this risk can be reduced significantly, leaving you with far fewer chances than before for severe lower back pain after massage therapy.

There are things you can do to help with the pain if it does get wrong, such as rest, gentle stretching, and medical advice. So, learning about how your body reacts and choosing the proper techniques (for machinists) as well as treatments could help you to hit it off with terrible back pain due to massage therapy.

Recommended Products on Amazon for Lower Back Pain

  1. Theragun Mini Handheld Percussive Therapy Device: A small massage gun that helps with deep tissue pain.
  2. Heating Pad with Massage: A heating pad that gives a gentle massage to soothe your back.
  3. Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set: This mat helps relieve tension and pain by pressing on specific points on your back.
  4. Neck & Back Massager: This massager gives an intense massage with heat to help with back pain.
  5. Magic Back Support: A device to stretch and support your lower back.

Understanding how massages work and choosing the right tools and therapists can help your back feel much better.