14 Jan The Benefits of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy for Back Pain
The Benefits of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy for Back Pain
Many people around the world suffer from back pain. It is a common issue that is a result of numerous random circumstances. It can affect people with postural problems or do sports training and regular exercise. At some point in your life, you will experience some form of weakness or back pain. It could be due to stress, injury, and over-exertion, to name a few.
Several different factors can lead to back pain. These include obesity, bad posture, muscle injury, overstretching, prolonged, lengthy periods of sitting or lying, and others. Additionally, your health and age can affect your back pain. Consequently, your doctor might recommend certain treatments or prescription medications. Such treatments include surgeries, physical therapy, specific exercises, or neuromuscular massage therapy.
What does Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Entail?
Neuromuscular massage therapy is rapidly gaining popularity as an effective treatment for back pain. It is a type of soft tissue massage that relieves chronic pain in the muscles. It also aims to treat certain nervous system disorders and issues. This massage therapy targets the source of your back pain and alleviates it.
To achieve this, your massage therapist will use neuromuscular massage techniques that fix trigger points, compression of the nerves, repetitive movement injuries, postural issues, and circulation.
Difference Between Deep Tissue Massage and Neuromuscular Massage Therapy
There are many different types of massage therapies that all aim to improve the quality of your life. Some of them include shiatsu massage, Swedish massage, and others. Here is a look at how deep tissue massage and neuromuscular massage therapy differ.
Different Massage Therapy Techniques
It is common to confuse neuromuscular massage therapy with deep tissue massage. It is because both these massages dive deep into affected spots and relieve back pain. However, they are quite different.
Deep tissue massage targets the affected spots. These include tendons, tense muscles, and other tissues located deep within your skin. On the other hand, neuromuscular massage focuses on getting to the affected nerve.
Neuromuscular Massage Therapy is a Medical Treatment
Unlike deep tissue massage, where the therapy can be occasional, neuromuscular massage therapists perform this therapy as a medical treatment. That means the massage therapy does not stop until you are completely healed.
Specialized Training for Neuromuscular Massage Therapists
The neuromuscular massage therapy technique takes years to perfect compared to deep tissue massage therapy. It is because neuromuscular therapy focuses on the source of pain. For this reason, a massage therapist has to know several factors.
These include where all the muscles are, how the muscle fibers flow, and how the muscles work together. Additionally, they have to understand the dynamics of posture and stress. A better-skilled neuromuscular massage therapist ensures your experience in alleviating your back pain will be smoother.
What are the Benefits of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy for Back Pain?
There are numerous benefits associated with neuromuscular massage therapy. Some of them include:
Alleviation of Muscle Pain
Alleviating your back pain is the main benefit of neuromuscular massage therapy. Due to many reasons, you may suffer muscle weakness that can prevent them from contracting properly. Neuromuscular therapy aims to fix these weak spots or trigger points. In doing so, this relieves back pain. All this is usually done without any need for medications.
Increased Flexibility
Muscles in the affected area are usually tense when you experience back pain. For this reason, your general mobility decreases, and the pain can be excruciating in some instances. Specific neuromuscular massage therapy techniques release tension from the affected back muscles. That gives you more flexibility.
Improved Blood Circulation
Tensed muscles lack good blood circulation and consequently lack oxygen and vital nutrients. It can occur after engaging in hard physical activities. Yet, blood circulation is paramount in helping the muscles to recover from pain. A neuromuscular massage therapy treatment allows your muscles to experience improved blood circulation and give your body a chance to heal itself.
Reduces Stress
Persistent or chronic pain in your back is also associated with stress. If left untreated, back pain can result in anxiety. In more severe instances, it can lead to depression due to the persistent pain you are experiencing. A neuromuscular massage treatment can relieve your back pain, ensuring that you are more relaxed and stress-free.
Improved Dopamine and Serotonin Levels
Serotonin is a hormone popularly known for its ability to uplift your mood and help you feel good. However, it is also very effective in helping your body deal with pain. By undergoing a neuromuscular massage therapy treatment, your dopamine and serotonin levels increase. In turn, this reduces your back pain.
Other Benefits of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy
Other benefits of neuromuscular therapy include:
• Improved overall posture
• Improved energy levels
• Reduced levels of toxins in your body
• Better balance in your nervous and musculoskeletal system
What Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Treats
Specialists use neuromuscular therapy to treat a wide range of health issues. This treatment method is popular for its pain-relieving ability for your back and other muscle pain. Also, neuromuscular massage therapy does not involve any pain medications. However, not only does it help with your back pain, but the treatment also treats other symptoms and disorders. Some of them include:
• Symptoms of sciatica
• Knee, hip, and jaw pain
• Temporomandibular joint pain
• Symptoms of Carpal tunnel
• Tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Iliotibial band friction syndrome
• Calf cramps
• Headaches
This massage therapy can also treat stressed muscles and other strained areas since it focuses on trigger points. As technology enhances, massage therapists and other specialists continue to test the limits on what more disorders neuromuscular massage therapy can treat.
The Takeaway
Neuromuscular massage therapy is undoubtedly an effective and non-invasive treatment if you are experiencing back pain. It has many benefits and does not just treat the symptoms but targets the source of the pain. However, before you settle on any treatment, including neuromuscular massage therapy, you should consult a specialist about it. You should also disclose any other medical conditions, previous treatments, and your family medical history to get an accurate diagnosis.
For more information about neuromuscular therapy for back pain, visit Medical Fitness and Wellness Group at our office at 10700 Medlock Bridge Road Suite 105 Johns Creek, Georgia 30097. You can also call us on 770.623.4078 to book an appointment.
