Massage Chairs Are Divine Relief For Low Back Pain

Do you know that 80% of us will have low back pain during our lifetimes. Our spine is very important to our mobility and getting around. Just everyday activities can put stress and strain on our backs. Improper lifting techniques or even posture can set you up for an injury. Low back pain is a symptom of either a condition, disease or injury. Rehabilitation of the spine may include a chiropractor, massage chair therapy and even physical therapy.

Low back pain is estimated to cost the U.S. 50 billion dollars a year to diagnose and treat. Back pain is the second most common neurological condition in the U.S. and is the most common cause of job related disability and leading contributor to missed work. Lower back pain can be acute, which is short term and lasts only a few days to a few weeks or chronic, which is measured as lasting more than 3 months and can be progressive.

The treatment for low back pain usually incorporates the use of non-invasive recommendations and usually doesnt involve surgery. Rehabilitation with a physical therapy will involve the use of analgesics or pain medications, protocols to help reduce inflammation, restore proper function and strength. Most patients will recover without any residual functional loss.

One avenue of recovery involves chiropractic treatments. Chiropractors are trained to restore the health of the spine with natural methods. Some treatments involve spinal adjustments, electrical stimulation and massage treatments. The key is to rebalance the spine allowing the muscles and soft tissues the properly heal and pull their weight again.

There are several things that a patient can do at home to start caring for their back. Using ice or heat, although never scientifically proven to quickly resolve low back injury, may help to reduce inflammation or swelling. If you undertake strenuous activity or have slight pain, then use an ice pack over the area. Use a bag of ice wrapped in a towel. Use the ice for 20 minutes several times a day for 2 to 3 days. The ice will help to reduce the inflammation.

Try this preventative action to help you relax. Use warm baths and let the warmth penetrate through the muscles. Or apply directly to sore muscles with hot packs or with a heating pad. You can target the heat to penetrate its warmth through the muscle to help with blood circulation. Never apply heat if you are going to sleep as this could burn or damage soft tissues. Only use the heat until it warms up the muscle tissue and provides relief.

Believe it or not exercise is an important aspect of rehabilitation of the lower back muscles, even within one week of the injury. The key is to slowly build muscle strength and flexibility. A routine of back-healthy activities should be included each week that will keep the muscles moving and speed the recovery process. These activities will include stretching, swimming, walking and other exercises to improve coordination.

One popular method for rehabilitation is the incorporation of Yoga. Many of the stretches and exercises can be targeted to the lower back. Stretching helps with flexibility while exercises helps to maintain and strengthen the muscles and soft tissue areas. Daily exercises for 15 minutes can make an enormous difference. Just do not over due it.

Massage therapy provided by a massage chair helps with rehabilitation. Massage chairs provide a number of therapies to help the lower back. Massage chairs use a variety of massage techniques to stretch, elongate and stimulate the muscle tissues. Massage chairs are great to use to warm up before exercise and to warm down after exercise. They help to relax the muscles, increase blood flow and to increase flexibility.

Rehabilitation of the lower back involves restoring the flexibility and strength of the muscles and soft tissues of the spine. To restore the elasticity of the muscles a combination of diet, exercise, massage treatments and stretching play an integral part of your spines health. Continue your treatments in the privacy and convenience of your home with a massage chair.

By Stacy Sheffield