Anyone who has ever received a professional massage knows just how relaxing and soothing they can be, so it stands to reason that targeted massage could be an effective treatment for certain spine-related issues. If you’re dealing with back pain, should your first call be to a spine specialist or a masseuse? In today’s blog, we explain whether or not massage therapy is an effective treatment for different spine issues.
Are Massages Helpful For Back Pain
The fact of the matter is that it is incredibly unlikely that a spine specialist will recommend massages as your only form of spine treatment. It’s certainly possible that a couple massage sessions could prove effective when paired with other active interventions, but massage therapy is unlikely to be a great stand alone option because it typically can’t address the underlying issue.
Moreover, massage therapy would really only be effective if your back pain was the result of a problem like muscle tension. Massage therapy can help to break up this tension and make it easier for muscles to relax and move like normal. If your pain is the result of a shifted disc or a nerve problem, not only is massage therapy unlikely to be effective, there’s a chance this targeted pressure could cause more intense symptoms. And even if spinal muscle tension is what’s causing your symptoms, massage therapy will only treat the end result, i.e. it’s not going to solve what caused the muscle tension to develop in the first place. It may help to pacify the symptoms, but unless you also take steps to resolve the cause of muscle tension, massage therapy will not provide any long term relief.
It’s possible that massage therapy will be recommended for muscle issues, but they will only be considered alongside more effective options that also treat the root problem. For example, it’s much more likely that your doctor will recommend a combination of the following treatments instead of massages or in combination with any passive massage therapy:
- Exercise
- Physical Therapy
- Weight Loss
- Posture Improvements
- Activity Modification/Short-Term Rest
Each patient is different and will be dealing with their own unique issues, but it’s much more likely that your doctor will ask you to connect with a physical therapist than a massage therapist if you present to their office with back pain. PT helps to treat the underlying structural issue by strengthening and stabilizing key areas of your spine. It also ensures that your body becomes comfortable with a variety of movements so that daily activities are no longer uncomfortable. When paired with other active interventions listed above and some additional passive techniques like rest, anti-inflammatory medications and hot or cold therapy, you stand to give yourself the best chance to make a strong recovery from whatever back issue is causing you strife.
We hope that we didn’t squash your dreams of getting a prescription for back massages, but at the end of the day, it’s unlikely to be an effective standalone option for whatever is causing your spinal discomfort. Massages still may play a role in your treatment plan, but your doctor will want you to pursue more active and targeted treatments.
For more information about effective back pain treatments, or for help with a different spine issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
