Next time you’re experiencing lower back pain, don’t turn to painkillers immediately—new research reveals that massage therapy can be more effective and have fewer side effects and risks.
The study, which was published in the July edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine, divided 401 individuals who experienced lower back pain into three groups. One group was treated with structural massage, one with relaxation massage, and one with typical medical care including painkillers and other drugs.
Relaxation massage, or Swedish massage, is fairly self-explanatory: this is the type of massage that is commonly offered to individuals who have no serious medical complaints, but still want a relaxing experience and rejuvenated muscles. Structural massage, on the other hand, focuses on certain tissues, ligaments, and muscles to relieve specific instances of pain. Structural massage is more likely than Swedish massage to be offered as a form of treatment covered by health insurance. After 10 weeks of treatment, more than 30% of the individuals in the massage groups reported significantly lower or less frequent pain. In the group of individuals receiving standard medical care, however, less than 5% reported a reduction in pain.
The results of the study lend credence to the argument for natural medicine, especially when treating lower back pain. Painkillers and muscle relaxants can be expensive and have side effects of their own, including drowsiness and the possibility of addiction. If you have chronic back pain and want the most effective treatment you can get, contact Austin Active Life and schedule an appointment with one of our experienced massage therapists.
Tags: lower back pain, massage, muscle relaxants, painkillers, structural massage, Swedish massage