Benefits of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy for Back Pain

Back Pain ☹

Back pain is the single leading cause of disability in the world. That’s a shocking statement! Everyone eventually feels some type of back pain or weakness, whether it is from over-exertion, stress, injury or any other issues. Combined, Americans miss about 264 million workdays per year due to intense back pain. Back pain can be caused by many factors including, muscle injury, bad posture, obesity, prolonged sitting or lying, over-stretching, exercise, and more. 

Depending on your age, stage, health, and the cause of pain, your doctor may prescribe medications or recommend specific treatments like exercises, stretches, surgeries, physical therapy, and massage therapy.

Many people use massage therapy to treat their back pain. Massage therapy involves many different treatments and techniques like sports massage, deep tissue, Swedish massage and more. A type of massage therapy we find effective, that many people do not know about is neuromuscular massage. While the name may seem intimidating, its results are helpful for many individuals. 

To help you better understand the benefits of neuromuscular massage therapy for back pain, keep reading below.

What is neuromuscular massage?

Neuromuscular massage therapy is a form of soft tissue massage that aims to alleviate chronic muscle and nervous system disorders and problems. It is mainly used to negate trigger points, increase circulation, relieve nerve compression, correct postural problems, and heal repetitive movement injuries. The aim of a neuromuscular massage is to go straight to the source of your pain and alleviate it.

This form of massage therapy came to light in Europe during the 1930s. Stanley Lief and Boris Chaitow developed it with an emphasis on palpation to gain access to sensitive soft tissues. Neuromuscular massage therapy was introduced to the United States between the 1940s and 1950s. As an example, Dr. Janet Travell worked her way up from a neuromuscular therapist to become the first female personal physician to a president of the United States when President John F. Kennedy needed trigger point palpation to relieve stress and spinal cramps.

The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes that the neuromuscular massage method is an effective treatment for soft tissue injuries, especially in the back. With the advancement of technology and education, this method is more readily available in many areas of the country. We are grateful to offer this pain relieving method at Sage Wellness in Rochester MN [ sagewellnessrochestermn.com ]

How is neuromuscular massage different from a deep tissue massage?

Many people confuse neuromuscular massage with deep tissue massage. While they both dive deep into troubled spots and alleviate back pain, neuromuscular massage focuses on reaching the neuromuscular source of pain, while deep tissue massage focuses on relieving stiff muscles, tendons, and tissues deep under your skin. Deep tissue massage can be an occasional therapy while neuromuscular therapy as a medical treatment is comfortable to receive more often. 

Neuromuscular massage therapy also treats more ailments than deep tissue massage, as the focus of a deep tissue massage is solely to relieve tension and alleviate back pain.

Neuromuscular Therapists take years perfecting their technique. Since neuromuscular therapy targets the main source of pain, therapists need to know where the muscles are, how the fibers flow, understand posture and stress, and how the muscles work together. The more experience a technician has, the better your experience and reduction of pain will be. Therefore, always research your therapist before you visit them. Ask as many questions and talk to past clients and read past reviews.

What does neuromuscular massage treat?

Neuromuscular massage therapy treats a wide range of problems. Most people recognize neuromuscular massage therapy for its ability to relieve back pain or any other muscle pain, but there are more disorders and symptoms it treats, including:

• Carpal tunnel symptoms

• Sciatica symptoms

• Calf cramps

• Hip, knee and jaw pain

• Headaches

• Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ disorders)

• Iliotibial band friction syndrome

• Plantar fasciitis

• Tendonitis

Scientists, doctors, and massage therapists continue to study and test neuromuscular massage therapy to determine if this method of massage therapy can treat other ailments and pain areas. Before settling on neuromuscular massage therapy, if you have any of the disorders or issues above, consult your doctor to make sure it is the right treatment for you.

What are the benefits of a neuromuscular massage?

Thankfully, there are many benefits that come with neuromuscular massage therapy. The main one is that it reduces or alleviates muscle pain. Neuromuscular massage focuses on trigger points and releases the pain.

Another major advantage of this form of massage therapy is an increase in flexibility. Once muscles contract or tense up, they have very limited movement. These contracted muscles also lack blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients. Specific neuromuscular massage techniques break up these tensed areas and let your muscles receive the right amount of blood and oxygen.

Other benefits from neuromuscular therapy include an increase of energy levels, improvements to your balance of musculoskeletal and nervous systems, lowered body toxin levels, and improvements in overall posture. It can also help you relax and feel less tension days after an appointment. Neuromuscular massage patients tend to feel happier and less stressed as well. However, every person is different, and you may feel some or all these benefits.

What can you expect during a neuromuscular massage?

Just like any other massage appointment, you will go into your treatment room and follow your provider’s instructions. The provider will apply alternating amounts of pressure to the area of pain or muscle spasm. When contact is made with the muscle spasm, the pressure will not vary for 10-30 seconds. Many different techniques, tools, or moves will also be used dependent on the location and the severity of the pain or muscle spasm.

Massage therapists providing neuromuscular work spend years perfecting all these techniques. The methods used will differ for each patient. Before the massage begins, your therapist will evaluate your case and make a judgment on what to perform.

After any massage appointment, drink a lot of water and follow your therapist’s aftercare instructions. You may also feel pain and soreness after the massage, which is normal. It will fade away after a few days.

Neuromuscular massage therapy requires consistent treatments. You cannot just come and go like people do with deep tissue or Swedish massages. The regular consistent treatments will help your problem areas in the long run. You will feel pain and tension relief after every appointment, but the goal is for treatments to progress to the point of becoming preventative.

Neuromuscular massages are not for everyone. If you are extremely sensitive or have intense pain whenever you touch the areas, you will need a medical pain specialist to look further into your pain. You may need additional scans and bloodwork to truly know what your issue is. And in some cases, you may need surgery to help relieve pain. Your doctor can go into further detail about what your body needs.

If you are ready to give neuromuscular therapy a try, we will be glad to see you! Jump on our online calendar 24/7 thru the booking link and just schedule a ‘timed massage’ meaning, choose if can you stay for 30,45,60,75,or 90 minutes. That’s it! We will customize your care from there – every time.

Wellness to you, Tina Ridler - Wellness Practitioner– Sage Wellness 2023