Do you suffer from low back pain? Pain is a symptom of a musculoskeletal disorder occurring in the lower back. The intensity of the pain felt depends on the extent of the disorder. There are numerous causes such as injury or strains to the lower back. Each case involves issues with the discs, ligaments, soft tissue and muscles in the lower back. Treatments vary depending on the extent and area of damage, but one popular therapy is the use of massage chairs to relieve low back pain.
It is thought that 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Given the importance of the lower back to mobility, this certainly seems reasonable. There are certain conditions that occur with aging. However the vast majority fall into the preventable category.
Some low back problems come from Spinal stenosis, Scheuermanns disorder, Ulcers, Pancreatitis, Pagets disease, Pelvic inflammatory disease, and Ankylosing spondylitis. These conditions may require surgery or precription medication and must be treated by a doctor. Physical therapy is usually involved to restore the spine back to health.
Many of the causes of low back pain can be prevented. They may result from improper lifting techniques, poor posture when standing or sitting or from injuries. It is always best to warm up your body so the muscles of the back are flexible. Pain associated with these items stem from muscle stiffness.
The common motion causing low back pain that can be prevented is how the body is used. From an anatomical point of view, the weight being put on the spine tends to be concentrated on a few muscles, ligaments and tendons in the lower back. This concentration of force tends to tire out these muscles causing them to become stiff and more brittle. If the force continues to be applied, then these soft tissues can become further fatigued causing them damage.
Massage chairs have found their way into more medical and chiropractic offices as a treatment to the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the lower back. The role of the massage chair is to help to loosen and relax these tight muscles. They have a number of specialized techniques that are applied for effective therapy.
A rolling massage is used to provide a traction function with a massage chair. The rolling is performed by rollers located in the back of the chair to target the spine. The patient is reclined back in the chair, and with the use of the patients weight and the angle of recliner, the rollers gently elongate the soft tissues between the discs. This helps to restore flexibility.
Massage chairs are used to deliver full body heat. These massage recliners have heating elements located throughout the chair. They can be used individually to target specific areas or used for the full body. Heat is commonly used to reduce the instance of swelling and help with the flow of blood in the area.
Generally, the muscles of the lower spine need to be elongated. Due to stress and strain, they become tight and inflexible. Massage chairs apply traction to the soft tissues between the discs by gently stretching them. This helps to elongate the tissue making it regain its elasticity.
Now, the makers of massage chairs also incorporate other technologies like an MP3 music player. Music helps the mind to relax and take the focus off the painful areas. As the mind relaxes, the tension in the muscles is released. The massage treatments become more effective when the mind is not reacting and holding the muscles under tension.
Low back pain can be particularly agitating because we depend so much on our spine for mobility. Take the precautionary advice here and adapt your lifting techniques and correct your posture. Give your back a fighting chance to avoid injury. Warm up before activities. A massage chair can be used in these pro-active ways as well. You can use the stretching functions and massage treatments to help warm the body up or after to warm down. If you have other stress and tension, then massage chairs are excellent assets to help you care for your back.