The latest statistics about back pain are staggering: more than 85 percent of Americans suffer from some form of back pain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. What’s more, it’s estimated that Americans spent around $15 billion per year on back pain for medical care and disability payments. More and more people are turning to massage for pain relief: more than one-fourth of adult Americans say they’ve used massage therapy at least one time for pain relief. Of those that used massage for pain relief, 85 percent agreed that massage can be effective in reducing pain, according to the AMA. The Valley is no exception, having Phoenix massage clinics as busy as ever.
While back pain can be agonizing, it can be effectively treated through proper massage techniques. Massage therapy reduces the need for painkillers by 36 percent, according to a study from the Annals of Internal Medicine. Massage therapy alleviates back pain by increasing blood flow, relaxing muscles, releasing endorphins, and restoring flexibility to tense muscles.
“Massage therapy may make the back quit aching right away, but don’t expect one session to cure all the pain,” says C.G. Funk, vice president of industry relations and product development for Massage Envy, the leading provider of massage therapy in the U.S. “Your back pain didn’t start overnight, so don’t expect an overnight cure. However, a solid massage therapy wellness plan can help tremendously.”
Another way to relieve back pain is through inversion therapy. Free Your Spine also recommends inversion therapy to treat back pain. Try one of these methods and get rid of back pains for good.