Lower back pain is a common problem for many people. Many people in the United States miss their work and fail to do their tasks because of pains in the lower back. They find it difficult to move, bend, or lift. This common musculoskeletal disorder affects 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. There are many factors which cause lower back pain. Lower back pains develop over time as people get older and are most probably caused by their work or by their working environment.

Our back is intricately made up of bones, tissues, and muscles. The centermost part of our back is the spinal column which supports the weight of the upper body and protects the spinal cord. Our lower back or the lumbar region is made up of five vertebrae and in between these vertebrae lie intervertebral discs which act as cushions. These discs prevent the vertebrae from rubbing together.

As people age, bone strength and muscle elasticity usually decrease. The intervertebral discs begin to lose fluid and flexibility. Thus, lower back pain occurs. If the spine happens to be strained or compressed, the disc may rupture outward. This rupture may put pressure on the nerves rooted to the spinal cord that control body movement. This lower back pain becomes chronic when they happen recurrently.

Causes of lower back pain are varied. Oftentimes, over activity of the back muscles can cause injury which results to pain. Lower back pain may be felt when lifting something heavy, overstretching, or bending. Doing these activities may strain the muscles or ligaments at the back. Some factors that may contribute to chronic lower back pains are degenerative conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, bone diseases, irritation of joints, viral infections, or congenital abnormalities in the spine. Pregnancy, obesity, poor physical condition, inappropriate posture, and poor sleeping position may also contribute to lower back pains.

There are many possible treatments for lower back pain. One of these is massage therapy.

Massage therapy is a combination of science and art. It provides a relaxing sensation by artistic hand strokes on the body to rejuvenate the mind and body and relieve stress and pain. Massage therapy has been practiced for over thousands of years. It has started in ancient China, Greece, Rome, India, and Egypt. Massage therapy has come a long way from its ancient origins as it continues to provide holistic health care throughout the ages.

Massage therapy can be a good treatment for lower back pain as it provides relaxation of the muscles, improves blood circulation, and increases the production of endorphins – chemicals which are effective in treating chronic pain.

Most health providers would recommend massage therapy for their patients who experience lower back pains. Studies show that massage therapy has lessened lower back pains, depression, anxiety, and it helped improve sleep.

The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is called neuromuscular therapy. It consists of alternating levels of pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. Neuromuscular massage techniques often use the thumbs or fingertips to explore tissues in detail.

After undergoing massage therapy, most people claim that they experience relief from pain and stress.