This article was prepared for HomeStudyCredits.org. Visit us to learn more about massage therapy and massage therapy continuing education programs. Also, sign up for the Institute's free Massage Professionals Update, and get tips and original articles to help you build your massage practice.
Reduce Low Back Pain: 4 Tactics You May Have Overlooked
Low back pain is perhaps the most consistent complaint massage therapists hear from their customers. Many massage techniques have been developed (at least in part) to alleviate this common ailment. Often, they are very effective. Traditional Swedish massage, acupuncture techniques and various neuromuscular therapies are some of the ways to help reduce back pain. Another technique found that the success in treating back pain is craniosacral therapy. This approach may help reduce adhesions and reduce associated pain as well. While providing relief, the effectiveness is often only felt for short periods of time. To increase the effectiveness of traditional practices, there are some techniques that can be added to the repertoire of massage therapy that can prolong the reduction of nuisances. To open narrowed blood vessels and relax tense muscles, try adding the surface heat applied. This can be done by using heat packs or hot towels during the massage session. You can also advise clients how to strengthen the muscles of your trunk and torso, with the introduction to Pilates or yoga postures that can help stabilize and support the spine. It could even include active or passive stretching and massage sessions to educate customers how to continue these exercises at home. Also advise clients on what they can do at home such as stretching techniques described above can help prolong your help. Advise to take hot water baths and / or offers them pamphlets with instructions on strengthening exercises help relieve pain between massage sessions. Increasing the number of forms that is used to treat its customers not only help clients reduce their back pain, but also will make your job a little easier. For more information about using the above techniques to relieve back pain, visit: integrative health. org/mt/archives/2008/08/four_commonly_o. html.
Begin Sciatica Treatment Early To Reap The Benefits
Back pain and sciatica pain will often heal on its own within a few days to a week, but sometimes there can be recurring instances where sciatica treatment is required. Pain from the sciatic nerve can be dull and occasional, to an intense throbbing pain and if you suffer too much pain, then you should definitely get started on sciatic treatment. Luckily for some regular exercise along with other pain management may all the treatment you need. Physical therapy and surgery may be necessary for the more severe incidents.
Surgery should always be the last resort for any type of back pain, so most people are willing to try any kind of sciatic treatment to avoid having surgery. For the sciatica patient, there are options for non surgical treatment of the condition. One of the first steps is for the doctor to determe the exact cause, then you will be able to begin to get rid of sciatica pain.
In the beginning stages, you may find ice and/or heat treatment can relieve leg pain while some find heat alone makes them feel significantly better than ice treatment. You may also consider switching between the two options. Regardless of whether you are applying ice or heat therapy, do so every few hours for only about 20 minutes.
There are many different kinds of medication out there for sciatica treatment. For the flare-ups, many over-the-counter medications are available including anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Many patients with severe sciatic pain find an epidural steroid injection to be quite helpful in relieving the pain or for reducing inflammation. The difference between the injections and the oral medications is the injections naturally go right into the area of the pain and begin to work almost immediately. The relief may last up to a year but it is a serious step and not one to be taken lightly.
Natural Sciatica Treatment
Aside from the common sciatica treatments, altenative therapies like massage therapy, chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture are also used. Acupuncture is said to help one maintain good health by allowing for the open flow of energy for the entire body. Some believe that blocked energy pathways cause the pain associated with sciatica. With acupuncture, fine little needles are inserted into the area of the pain and left there for a few minutes. These needles are believed to open up the pathways allowing energy to flow freely and hence relieve the associated pain. It has helped many people and they believe it to be a miracle back pain cure.
Massage therapy has been very helpful as a sciatica treatment for relieving pain, increasing blood circulation, relaxing the muscles and helping to release endorphins in the body, which are the natural pain relievers of the body. Not only that but the therapeutic benefits feel wonderful.
Other methods of pain relief for sufferers include having manual manipulation by a chiropractor done or seeing a physical therapist. Therapy is given by a qualified specialist and has to be done regularly to be effective. There are many solutions to ease your pain and it is recommended you begin with a natural sciatica treatment.
Relieving Sciatica: Everything You Need to Know about Using Complementary Medicine
Overall Rating: 
Total Customer Reviews: (3)
List Price: $10.95
Sale Price: $10.77
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
 |
Identifying symptoms and offering solutions to a painful condition, this book describes how to use more than 15 effective complementary medicine approaches including acupressure, Alexander technique, Feldenkrais method, foot reflexology, hatha yoga, osteopathy, qigong, and rolfing.
