How Percussion Massagers Helps Your Back to be Good

So, what you may ask, is a percussion massager? In fact, a percussion massager is a device, that uses percussion massage therapy to relieve pain and speed up recovery.

First Some Statistics

First, some statistics. Incidentally, approximately 80 percent of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. Moreover, older overweight individuals are at a greater risk for developing back pain. Indeed, it’s not just something that athletes or people that do physical labor experience. In fact, 54 percent of Americans who have low back pain spend the majority of their workday sitting. So, a sedentary lifestyle can cause chronic back pain.

Now, in addition to physical pain, back problems also have serious economic consequences. Indeed, low back pain is the second most common cause of disability in adults and the leading cause of missed work days. Moreover, Americans spend approximately $50 billion each year in medical expenses related to back issues.

Back Conditions Treated by Percussion Massagers

Symptoms of Back Pain

Upper Back Pain

Now, muscular issues and joint dysfunctions are the most common problems in the upper back.

Sports Injuries

Meanwhile, repetitive motions and added strains on the spine from sports activities are likely to worsen back pain.

Lower Back Pain

Also, lower back pain is usually caused by damage to the soft tissue supporting the lower spine, including muscles, tendon, and ligaments. Moreover, there are two types of soft tissue injuries:

How Massage Therapy Helps Your Back

Most of all, a good massage helps in mitigating back pain. Indeed, research shows massage therapy has the following benefits:

Massages for Back Pain

First and foremost, there is a confusing roster of massage styles, ranging from Reiki to shiatsu. But most massage styles fall into one of two broad categories: Swedish, which involves long strokes of varying intensity levels, and deep tissue, which concentrates on kneading knots and “trigger points” in muscles and connective tissue (known an myofascia).

Moreover, deep-tissue massage is especially effective in chronic cases, but any massage style may counteract pain if it suits you. However, check with your health care provider before starting massage therapy. Especially, if you’re taking blood thinners or suffer from severe osteoporosis, varicose veins or a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis. Because, they may be exacerbated by pressure.

Types of Massages

By the way, a massage therapist, using hands or percussion massagers, kneads, rubs, and strokes affected muscles to increase blood flow through the muscles. As a result, more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to muscles. Also, the massage helps eliminate any accumulated acids or other waste products to relieve pain.

Trigger Point Myotherapy

First, Trigger Point Myotherapy is most effective for lower back pain and soft tissue injury.  Moreover, this therapy involves using alternating levels of concentrated pressure on trigger points, which are areas with muscle spasm. By the way, the pressure is applied through fingers for up to ten to thirty seconds.

Incidentally, this therapy works by relaxing muscle having spasms. As a result, the muscles release stored lactic acid. Also, more blood and oxygen goes to the muscles.  At the same time, the therapist stretches muscles using a cooling agent sprayed onto the skin. Meanwhile, the therapy may cause some temporary soreness but reduces back pain within a day.

Swedish Massage

Next, a Swedish massage promotes relaxation and relieve any pain. In fact, it works by applying a gentle force to the affected back to release muscle tension. Moreover, it combines gentle hand pressure and muscle manipulation with the use of essential oils. Also, it combines light stroking in one direction with deep pressure in another to relax muscles.

Deep Tissue Massage

Meanwhile, a deep tissue massage targets chronic muscle tension using slower strokes with more direct pressure and friction. Also, this massage is like a Swedish massage, but the applied pressure goes much deeper into the muscle, sometimes close to the bone. Meanwhile, this technique releases tightly knotted muscles and scar tissue that could be the cause of back pain. However, this massage is not comfortable, and the soreness can last for a few days. But it is very effective at relieving stiff painful back muscles.

Percussion Massage

Now, a percussion massage is a massage, that consists of short sequences, in which the body is struck alternately with soft blows of each hand. In addition, percussion massagers provide rapid, short duration pulses deep into the soft tissue of the body.

Moreover, the goal is to relax tense muscles and release any knots. Furthermore, this massage is also highly effective in enhancing muscle strength and improving muscle ability. In addition, it improves blood flow along with improving range of motion. Finally, this massage provides a gentle stretch to the muscles and connective tissue. As a result, you improve your performance and responsiveness.

Now, percussion massagers are devices, that you hold in your hand, to apply pulses of concentrated pressure deep into your muscle tissues. And, you can use these massagers to get relief from back ailments such as back pain.

Myofascial Release

Next, myofascial massage releases tension stored in the fascia. By the way, fascia is the fibrous tissue that encase and support muscles. And, this massage is often used after a muscle injury. By the way, deep tissue massagers that release tension in the fascia are available for use in the home.

Shiatsu

Next, Shiatsu is an oriental therapy based on acupressure. Incidentally, massage pillows, shoulder/neck massagers, and massage chairs that provide shiatsu massages are available for use in the home.

Reiki

Finally, Reiki is a Japanese form of massage that seeks to adjust the body's energy.

Studies on Massage Effectiveness for Treating Back Pain

First Study

First, researchers from the University of Kentucky and Indiana University published a study in Pain Medicine. Moreover, the study is based on 104 individuals, with persistent pain. And, these individuals underwent a 12-week treatment by professional massage therapist. Meanwhile, the study reported that more than 50 percent of these individuals had improvement in lower back pain. And, 75 percent of these said they felt better even after 24 weeks.

Second Study

Next, a 2011 study was published in Annals of Internal Medicine on effectiveness of massages for back pain. Moreover, the study reported that massages may be effective for treating chronic back pain, with benefits lasting at least 6 months. By the way, this study had 401 people with chronic back pain. And, these people received either relaxation massage, structural massage, regular physical therapy and pain medication. Especially relevant, both massage treatments had equally significantly greater positive effects on treating chronic back pain than the usual physical therapy.