Back Massages: What are the Real Benefits?

Back Massages: What are the Real Benefits?

No matter your reason for scheduling back massages, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that each treatment offers a variety of benefits. So even though you may schedule a massage because you’re dealing with low back pain, your cardiovascular system will also benefit.  Likewise, if you book a massage because you’re dealing with a lot of stress, you’ll also help boost your immune system. Read on to learn about all the possible benefits you’ll get from a professional back massage.

Reducing Muscle Pain and Soreness

Back pain is extremely common with 80% of people experiencing some form of back pain at least once in their lives. Back pain is frequently caused by a muscle strain or a ligament strain. A back massage is often effective in treating pain because it increases the blood flow to the affected area. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients that are essential for helping muscles recover after an injury.

Boosting the Immune System with a Massage

Even 45-minute back massages can give your immune system a boost. The reason? Studies have shown that following a massage, patients experience an increased number of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are vital to fighting viruses and bacteria. 

Massages Increase Your Blood Flow

Poor blood circulation is responsible for a host of symptoms including numbness and tingling in the extremities. Those with poor circulation may experience muscle cramps and even digestive issues. The pressure applied by an experienced massage therapist can help to move your blood through areas of congestion. This enables new, oxygen-rich blood to flow unobstructed through the body.

Stress Reduction

Even short periods of relaxation, such as receiving a massage help to reduce stress. This is because massage can help activate your parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). The PSNS is the body’s main mechanism for managing and recovering from stress.

Reducing Blood Pressure & Lowering Heart Rate

Regular massages can help to reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Regular massages may also help improve other vital signs in patients with congestive heart failure.  

Additional Benefits of Massage

Preliminary studies show that massage can also provide patients with non-pharmacologic, and non-invasive treatment for a variety of medical conditions including:

• Anxiety & depression
• Arthritis pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Joint pain
• Nerve pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sciatica
• Soft tissue injuries
• TMJ pain

Common Types of Back Massages

You may be surprised to learn just how many massage techniques exist. However, the most common techniques used for back massage include:

• Swedish Massage

A Swedish massage (also known as a classic massage) is characterized by long sweeping strokes along the muscles, in the direction that the blood returns to the heart.

• Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is often used to treat muscle strains frequently caused by sports injuries. You’ll experience firm pressure and slow strokes to penetrate deep into the layers of muscle and fascia (connective tissue).

Depending on your unique pain, tension, or injuries, your therapist may use a combination of these and other therapies including sports massage, trigger point therapy, neuromuscular therapy, and more.

Schedule a Massage in Eugene Today

About Touch Massage & Acupuncture provides massage therapy, acupuncture, Kinesio taping, craniosacral therapy, and Ashiatsu therapy in a lovely, relaxing environment in Eugene, OR. Schedule your appointment online or call 541-484-3055.