Back Clinic Therapeutic Massage Team. We all want to relax. In our hectic lives, it’s hard to find time for R&R. If you deal with this in your life, a massage is in order. Massage therapy is a general term that refers to various types of soft tissue manipulation for therapeutic purposes. It involves manually working on the body with gentle pressure or through the use of mechanical aids. Depending on the way the massage is applied, it can be used to provide relaxation and well-being.
Healthcare providers recognize massage therapy as a legitimate therapy for lower back pain. It utilizes manual manipulation to improve circulation, relax muscles, improve range of motion, and increase endorphin levels. This therapy usually follows some medical treatment. Types of therapy include neuromuscular, sports, and Swedish.
For example, Neuromuscular therapy, which is the most effective treatment for low back pain, consists of alternating levels of pressure applied to muscles to alleviate the muscle spasms. First of all, make sure to drink plenty of water following a massage. With massaging procedures, the tissues of your body will be stimulated, resulting in the release of toxins.
Drinking at least 10 glasses of water throughout the day will flush out the toxins. Aim to drink 2-3 glasses within the first hour or so and then at least 8 more within the next 24 hours. In the hour following the massage, drink several glasses and then continue with eight more in the next 23 hours.
Dealing with chronic back pain along with the COVID-19 pandemic can make it difficult to find relief on a regular basis. When regular massage sessions are not available these self-massage techniques can relieve pain and loosen tense muscles. Massage therapy has been shown to reduce low back pain, specifically for short-term purposes.
There are massage therapist/s that are open with precautions in place. But there�s a good chance the massage therapist will not be able to see an individual right away when the pain presents. Back pain will not wait so here are a few tips on self-massage that individuals can do at the house.
Safety First
Consult your spine pain specialist, chiropractor, or doctor to determine the cause of the pain and if massage will be beneficial. Before starting a self-massage regimen, be sure pain levels are not severe and you are able to perform the massage techniques. Any muscle region, spine included, can benefit from massage both professionally and self. If at any time during the massaging different pain presents other than the massage soreness, stop and evaluate what could be happening.
These self-massage tips are aimed at reasonably healthy individuals. Be mindful of herniated discs, any type of impingement, or spinal compression. If an individual has this type of injury acquire medical instruction on how to perform self-massage techniques specifically for these conditions from a physician, chiropractor, or physical therapist.
Self-massage
Massage therapy helps in relieving back and neck pain in different ways.
Relaxes muscles
Improves range of motion
Reduces injury
Maximizes healing
Better sleep
If working from home and too much sitting has your back tight, in knots, with muscle tension, and stress, self-massage is an answer that works. It is a great alternative until the massage therapy appointment.
Applied Pressure
One way to give yourself a massage is to locate the painful area/s and gently apply pressure with the thumb/s, moving the muscle/s statically by just rotating the arm/hand together with the thumb pressing on the area. If possible get into a comfortable stretching position and massage the area while the muscle, joint, ligament is stretched out and find the painful area and work it if not with the thumb technique then use a foam roller, massage tool, tennis ball, massage ball, etc, also done in slow circular motions.
When applying pressure, don�t push it to the limit like working out. That is not the goal. The objective is to work out the pain/soreness and loosen up the area. Therefore it�s best to start gently and gradually build up to stronger pressure as long as it feels correct and the pain does reduce. Gradually increase the intensity of the pressure, heat, sessions, etc. But do not overdo it, as that could worsen or cause further injury.
Stretch
Although not directly massaging an area, stretching is a form of self-care that keeps the body loose and limber. Stretching out is recommended at the beginning of the day and before exercising. An example is runner�s lunge pose and a yoga pose called pigeon. These are excellent stretches for releasing the psoas muscle, located in the lower lumbar region.
Yoga can help by stretching and releasing the hips, glutes, and back muscles. As with massage don�t overdo the moves, overstretch, or hold the poses for too long. Consult with a doctor for any medical concerns where yoga could be dangerous and impair health.
Additionally, a family member, spouse, partner, or friend can be very helpful when stretching. Assisted stretches help and reduce the effort required to stretch oneself. Some assisted stretches include the supine twist and hamstring stretches. If you are the one assisting and want to guide the pain-relieving stretches, start gently, slowly, and pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues, like a wincing face, and short breathing.
Utilize Massage Tools/Devices
Utilize self-massage tools and devices that can help deliver pain relief. Foam rollers and tennis balls can help with trigger points, areas of muscle pain and can help with the hard to reach areas.
Massage balls can also help to apply balanced pressure and even circular massage motion. These tools are typically sandwiched between the wall or floor and the individual who rolls drags or creates friction to effectively work the muscle/s tightness, and knot/s out. Motorized massagers can help with muscle tension in the lower side of the back, hips, and glutes.
Partner
Sometimes however there are areas difficult to reach and even if reachable massaging the area isn’t the same because of the awkward position. When this happens if possible use a spouse, family, friend, or partner to massage out those points. This could be the middle back and hamstrings to get a thorough massage.
Just like a professional massage therapist having someone else can be a great help in applying heat or ice to areas that can be troublesome. But if not then make do with what you’re able. Self-massage can be very helpful and beneficial until you are able to see your massage therapist, chiropractor, or physical therapist.
Whiplash Massage Therapy
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Massage therapeutics is not about the candles, aromatherapy, and the spa. Although those items can be beneficial for relaxation etc, the massage part of the therapy is just that. An intense manual manipulation of the body’s tissues. Made to work out/relax tight, knotted, spasmed, and inflamed muscles, ligaments, and tendons back to a normal and relaxed function. This can be caused by injury, stress, awkward motion/s, etc. Research done by the American Massage Therapy Association shows that 50% of individuals asked for a therapeutic massage for musculoskeletal/stress issues. �
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More physicians, specialists, and surgeons are recognizing the health benefits that massage therapeutics can bring and are sending their patients to certified/licensed massage therapists for treatment. There is now a high demand for massage therapists with the career possibilities being one of the strongest in the health care industry. Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of muscles and soft tissues including:
Connective tissues
Ligaments
Tendons
This is all done with the focus of improving an individual’s health and overall well-being. Licensed certified massage therapists are highly-trained and highly-versed in anatomy and physiology. Many often work with chiropractors preparing patients for the chiropractic adjustment/s by loosening up the muscles/tissues, thenafter with a light massage to ease the soreness of the adjustment and if necessary with continued visits with a mild to intense massage session to keep the areas loose and mobile.
Massage therapeutics effectively treats several medical conditions, sports injuries, automobile accident injuries, personal injuries, and helps prevent health problems connected with stress. Research shows that these medical conditions can be significantly improved or even healed with massage therapeutics. �
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Fitness
Top professional and weekend warrior athletes can benefit from massage therapeutics. Massage has been shown to help:
Reduce muscle tension
Improve exercise performance
Prevent injuries
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Low Back Pain
The guidelines for treating chronic back pain. Now the suggested guidelines state that alternative treatments/therapies like massage, chiropractic, physical therapy, and acupuncture should be utilized before prescription medication, which is now the last resort, is implemented. �
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Headaches
Head and neck massage reduces chronic tension headaches, along with the stress that often comes with headaches. �
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Compromised Immune System Function
Myofascial massage has been shown to improve the nervous system, which is crucial to a healthy immune system. Through massage which increases blood circulation helps to increase the activity of T cells, which recognize and destroy cells that are infected with viruses. Stress reduction has been found to be a universally recognized benefit of massage therapeutics, and can also strengthen the immune system. �
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Blood Pressure
Improved blood flow with massage therapeutics can also bring blood pressure down and elevates heart health. �
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Fibromyalgia
Currently, there is no cure for fibromyalgia, but studies are showing a definite connection for those that receive myofascial massage therapeutics and improved quality of life. Reduced pain and anxiety, and quality sleep were has been experienced by individuals getting regular massage therapy. �
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Cancer Pain
A common symptom for individuals battling cancer is pain, which can be mild to severe. Used in conjunction with other pain management techniques recommended by doctors, massage therapeutics have been shown to reduce pain along with anxiety symptoms.
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PTSD
Those with post-traumatic stress disorder can benefit from massage therapy. Massage can help reduce:
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Pain associated with trauma/images/memories
Massage is often recommended as a companion for PTSD psychotherapy. Therapists are well established at many medical clinics and hospitals. With the opioid epidemic, the need for safe, natural, and effective pain therapy, then massage therapists can definitely help out. �
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Chiropractic Care Massage Therapy
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Neck pain prevention can go a long way as long as you take proper care of your body, exercise, and practice healthy habits. Here are a few tips to help prevent neck pain before it begins. Neck mobility is a marvelous thing. The neck can move the head in various directions:
90� of flexion forward motion
90� of extension backward motion
180� of rotation side to side
Almost 120� of tilt to each shoulder
A lot of us are very familiar with a stiff neck or a crick in the neck. This stiffness prevents us from moving comfortably. A crick in the neck can cause the neck part of the spine to feel stiff, rigid and immobile. Fortunately, prevention and various treatments can help.
Prevention:
Standing and sitting properly maintains proper posture and keeps muscles working/healthy. If you begin to hunch over, correct it immediately as it can quickly lead to pain in the neck. Pay attention to how you stand and sit and the more you do this it will become a healthy habit.
Do neck and body exercises regularly and try for a 30-minute cardio workout 3-5 times week.
Staying within a healthy weight-range will keep your spine in top form as it carries the weight of your body, and not overstrain it, which can lead to all kinds of pain.
With healthy weight comes a healthy meal plan, not just for proper weight but to strengthen muscles, bones, enriching the blood and getting to optimal health.
Smoking can affect the bones and muscles in your cervical/neck area of the spine, as well as all the other areas of the body. Therefore it is time to quit.
Sleep with correct head and neck posture. Sleeping with your head in an awkward position is an easy set-up for a strain and pain.
Stress and tension reduction.�Tense muscles in the neck and shoulder often lead to pain in the neck. A few effective ways to reduce stress can be writing, talking to friends, exercising, walking, listening/playing music, art/crafts, cooking, reading,� and turn to these when the stress begins to build.
Driving safely and wearing seat belts can help prevent whiplash.
Using the proper equipment to protect your neck while participating in sports that can lead to neck injuries like football, skateboarding, wrestling, soccer is a must.
Taking care of your body is a complex process. Lifestyle changes pave the way to wellness and making these changes will benefit more than just the neck.
Don’t worry about the list and try to check everything off. Look at the things that apply to you and try to implement a few of these tips one at a time. Keep the bigger changes like quitting smoking/losing weight in the foreseeable future. It takes time, patience and commitment. With a little hard work, it will pay off, and you should have a healthier life with less neck pain episodes and remember prevention is key.
Massage
This is a popular therapy that relieves:
Aches
Fluid retention
Inflammation
Muscle tension
Pain
Spasms
Stiffness
Other benefits include improved blood and lymph circulation, flexibility, range of motion, and increased tissue elasticity.While increasing circulation the muscles are warmed along with other soft tissues like tendons and ligaments.
Swedish
It is one of the most popular massage types in the US. Usually, therapeutic muscle lotion or oil is used to reduce friction and relax the area/muscles as the therapist performs light stroking in one direction with deep pressure in another to relax and loosen the muscles and surrounding ligaments/tissues.
This takes the blood flow and flushes lactic acid, uric acid, and other waste products from the muscles. The ligaments and tendons get stretched, which increases their soft but firm/strong feel. The nerves are stimulated and relaxed, with any stress in the muscles taken away. Relaxing the muscles is the overall goal.
Deep Tissue
This technique aims at chronic muscle tension. The strokes are slower, using more intense direct pressure to release the built-up stress, knots, and tightness. Depending on how deep the muscle and tissue stress maybe, the therapist will adjust their hand positions, strokes, and intensity periodically to work the tissues releasing tension.
Relaxing the Muscles
The therapist using their hands or tools to rhythmically knead, rub, and stroke muscles, circulation begins muscle stimulation. This blood flow brings needed oxygen and nutrients and helps the muscles eliminate waste products, like lactic acid, that can collect in the muscles brought on by spasms, which cause pain.
El Paso, TX Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatment
NCBI Resources
Individuals with chronic neck pain that don�t seem to have a cause, could be trigger points. A doctor will refer you to a�physical therapist, chiropractor or another spine specialist�to conduct an examination for trigger points.
Whiplash Massage: Sandra Rubio describes how whiplash-associated disorders resulting from an automobile accident can cause symptoms of neck pain. An injury to the cervical spine can damage the complex structures of the neck, including vertebrae, intervertebral discs and soft tissues like tendons, ligaments and muscles. Dr. Alex Jimenez, doctor of chiropractic, is a non surgical choice which provides several treatment methods, such as deep-tissue massage, which can help improve neck pain associated with whiplash from an auto accident.
Massage therapy�is the evaluation and manipulation of cells and joints of the human body to effect a curative response in the�prevention and treatment of physical dysfunction. It may be curative or preventative, helping to rehabilitate, to preserve, strengthen bodily function or relieve pain. Massage therapy has established its function as it achieves outcomes that were undeniable, as a wellness option used to alleviate an assortment of physical discomforts.
Massage helps alleviate the soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday stress, muscular overuse and lots of chronic pain syndromes. Massage treatment can decrease the development of painful muscular patterning if used early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury.
Whiplash Massage Therapy
Neck pain can come from various structures in the neck including: vascular, nerve, airway, digestive, and musculature or it can originate from other areas of the human body. Although the causes are many, most are easily rectified by either assistance or using self help suggestions and techniques. Treatment of neck pain is dependent upon the reason. For the vast majority of individuals, neck pain may be treated conservatively. Recommendations in conservative treatment include applying cold or heat. Other frequent treatments could include chiropractic care, physical therapy, body mechanics training, reform that is ergonomic, and drugs and/or medication.
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Chiropractic and Massage: Duos often create more exciting outcomes. Lewis and Clark, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, and even Batman and Robin functioned more efficiently together than apart. Complementary pairings propel results and enhance efforts.
This is decidedly true with massage therapy and chiropractic care. While each offer considerable benefits on their own, they often mesh well with each other to create a comprehensive treatment plan for many conditions or injuries.
So, sit back and let us show you how massage therapy and chiropractic care are a pain-fighting, mobility-enhancing dynamic duo.
A Combination Of Both: Chiropractic And Massage
Massage Enables A More Effective Chiropractic Visit
Therapeutic massage warms up muscles and relaxes the individual’s entire body, enabling the chiropractor to maximize his or her chiropractic adjustment for optimal results.
Massage brings about a more stable adjustment.
When a chiropractor performs an adjustment to alleviate pain or increase mobility, pre or post massage couples with it to increase the body’s acceptance of the adjustment.
Chiropractic Takes Massage Therapy Further: Includes Joints & Bones
Each treatment offers strong relief and recovery to certain areas of the body. Massage produces relaxation in muscles, relieving tension and toxins. Chiropractic care picks up where massage leaves off and extends the treatment efforts to the body’s tendons, joints, bones and, ultimately, the nervous system.
Works On The Body As A Whole
Both treatments focus on broad rejuvenation and healing techniques for full body health. In a variety of instances, chiropractic care shows significant increases in treating the overall root of the problem when used in combination with massage therapy.
Gets In The Head
Whoever said “it’s all in your head” wasn’t entirely wrong. Individuals sometimes feel stress, dread, or worry over health procedures in general, and chiropractic treatment is no different. Massage therapy serves to relax and de-stress a person, preparing them to go into chiropractic treatments less stressed or tightly wound. A relaxed person’s body tends to respond better to treatment.
Offers Shorter Recovery Times
Blending both treatments into one builds an all-encompassing regimen that works on the condition or injury from multiple points. Tackling health issues this way reduces the time is takes to heal and regain the body’s full mobility.
Decreases Discomfort
Massage therapy aids in warming up muscles, readying them for chiropractic adjustments. This experience is similar to stretching thoroughly before exercising. Pliant muscles offer less resistance to a chiropractor’s regimen, resulting in greater patient comfort. This benefits the entire process, as a painless, comfortable visit increases a person’s openness and commitment to future therapeutic endeavors.
Provides Longer Lasting Results
A relaxed body is more open to treatment. Both massage therapy and chiropractic care serve to attain the goal of healing and recovery, and pain minimization or management. Achieving a synergistic effect is possible when both treatments are employed simultaneously. Chiropractic care is known to work deeper and last longer when paired with massage therapy, especially with chronic, painful health issues.
Patients who seek help with bodily conditions or injuries benefit and see results from chiropractic and�massage therapy separately. Both forms of therapeutic relief used together may create an even more significant, longer last result. Chiropractic care and massage therapy complement each other and offer positive benefits to a variety of painful health issues.
Embark on a treatment plan with this healing, effective dynamic duo! Ask your chiropractor if your specific condition would benefit from both principles of care. Give us a call today!
Chiropractic, Massages & Spinal Injections Are Your Papal Prescription For Low Back & Leg Pain.
Should you suffer from the low back and leg symptoms of sciatica, the pope feels your pain. Reports reveal that Pope Francis has spent part of his 2017 summer undergoing spinal shots and massage therapy to help manage his sciatica.
Sciatica is intense low back and leg pain which runs along the course of the sciatic nerve, that is the longest and largest nerve in the human system. The sciatic nerve extends from your low back all the way down to a foot. Several spinal ailments can irritate the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica, including a herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and trauma (you can read more in common sciatica causes). The root reason for Pope Francis’ sciatica is unclear.
The 80-year-old pope has suffered from sciatica for many years, having first remarked on his struggle with it in a 2013 through a media conference when he said, “Sciatica is very painful, very painful! I don’t wish it on anyone!”
More recently, the pope has received epidural steroid shots and massages twice a week to handle his back pain pain, according to the Italian news magazine Famiglia Cristiana.
Sciatica PSA
How Spinal Injections & Massage Can Help Relieve Sciatica
Pope Francis’ routine of epidural steroid injections and massages underscores the fact that while the pain of sciatica can be extreme–almost indescribable–spine operation isn’t always the answer. The pope’s non-surgical approach to sciatica pain management is one that many individuals suffering from the illness adopt.
With epidural steroid shots, strong anti-inflammatory drugs known as corticosteroids are injected near the spinal nerve roots. The therapy works with varying success, but some people experience decreased pain for months following an injection.
With massage, a therapist can target the muscle tension that may be compressing the sciatic nerve or associated nerve roots. Deep tissue massage treatment may be type of massage used, since it utilizes direct pressure and friction to release the pressure in the soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles) surrounding the sciatic nerve.
Massage is a popular therapy used to relieve fluid retention, spasms, inflammation, muscle tension, pains and stiffness. Other benefits include improved circulation (blood and lymph), general flexibility, range of movement, and increased tissue elasticity (eg, scar tissue).
Another kind of massage contains full-body massage, which often leaves the patient feeling relaxed and free of anxiety.
How Can Massage Function to Relax Muscles?
As the therapist uses their hands or specialized tools to rhythmically knead, wipe, and stroke (effluerage) muscles, circulation is stimulated. Blood flow is essential to helping muscles eliminate waste products, such as lactic acid, that may accumulate in muscles from spasms and delivers oxygen and nutrients.
Following trauma, muscles may act as mini-splints like a cast on a broken arm to safeguard and limit motion. An average example is somebody who uses a computer for a prolonged time period without taking a break to stretch the neck. The result: a stiff, aching neck and occasionally pain. Taking regular breaks to rub (mini-massage) and stretch the neck will boost circulation to the muscles.
What’s Swedish Massage?
This really is one of the most famous types of massage in America. Often, a lotion or oil is used to lessen skin friction. The therapist combines light stroking in one way with deep pressure in another to loosen muscles. The treatment expedites blood flow to flush uric acid, lactic acid, and other waste products from the muscles. Ligaments and tendons are stretched, increasing their suppleness. Nerves are excited and relaxed, and anxiety is relieved. The general goal is to loosen muscles.
What Is Deep Tissue Massage?
Long-term muscle tension is targeted by this technique. The therapist’s strokes are slower, using more direct pressure and friction. Determined by the texture of the deeper layers of tissue and muscle felt, the therapist occasionally adjusts intensity, strokes, and their hand positions to work the tissues to release tension.
What Is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release, or soft tissue mobilization, is a therapy used to release tension in the fascia. Fascia are sheets of fibrous tissue that encase and support muscles. Following injury, the fascia and muscles may shorten limiting the flow of blood. The techniques used in myofascial release loosen muscle tension and break up fascial adhesions.
What’s Trigger Point and Myotherapy?
The treatment goals include alleviating muscle spasms, enhancing circulation, and releasing trigger points.
The therapist extends the muscle using a technique called Stretch and Spray as trigger points are released. This technique incorporates a superficial cooling agent such as Fluori-Methane, a local anesthetic that depresses nerve reaction. The anesthetic is sprayed over muscles as they may be softly stretched, soothing tight muscles.
Are There Other Kinds of Massage?
There are many kinds of massage; only a few are mentioned here. Shiatsu is an old oriental treatment predicated on acupressure, as is Jin Shin Jyutsu. Reiki is a Japanese type of massage that attempts to correct the entire body’s energy.�Rolfing can be uncomfortable; the goal is to adjust the muscle fascia to its fullest extension.
A Word of Caution
Speak to your doctor, before getting a massage for back pain or neck pain. She or he may have the ability to refer you to a licensed or certified massage therapist.
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