16 March, 2009
Ask the coach: Does Massage therapy help back pain ?
Answer
Massage Therapy has been shown to help reduce pain, alleviate the symptoms of depression, improve immune function, reduce low back pain and improve sleep. In the study, half of the subjects were assigned to massage therapy, the other half to relaxation therapy. Over a period of five weeks, the massage therapy group received two thirty minute massages each week while the relaxation group conducted progressive muscle relaxation exercises. Researchers found that for the massage group, back pain decreased, range of motion increased, there was improvement in trunk and pain flexion performance, and decreases in sleep disturbance, depression and anxiety. Improvements were greater than those seen in the relaxation group. While not a panacea for everything that ails you. In the current climate, stress levels are high, so a good way to stay in shape is to get a weekly massage. Its not a treat, it’s a necessity.
