Low back pain has been a serious health complication affecting more than 80% of the total population at some point in their life. It consequences have been so severe than any other medical conditions; where by it accounts for the longest disability and sick leave. In this regards, there has been urgent need for the establishment of the best therapeutic procedure in curing the diseases. In relation to this situation, massage therapy has been identified by many psychiatrists and health professionals as an effective curative and preventive measure for low back pain. In basic terms, massage is defined as the treatment of superficial coating of connective tissues and muscles so as to enhance relaxation and functioning of well being (Levine, 1999).
Nevertheless, there has been a rising controversy between the adoption of massage or exercise therapy in dealing with problems of low back pain. In this regard, exercise therapy is the treatment of illness or prevention by utilizing movements and functional capability through out one’s life. In the case of low back pain, exercise therapy has been effective over the years though it has not gained optimum recognition. In other words, exercise therapy is merely concerned with identifying and utilizing quality of life and potential movement; thus enhancing prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, or habilitation of health complications. Based on research, massage therapy is more appropriate as compared to exercise therapy in dealing with low back pain. This paper will focus on deriving the most appropriate method of dealing with problems of low back pain. In this case, the effectiveness of exercise and massage therapy will be evaluated. (Hernandez-Reif, et al, 2001).
Methods
To begin with, massage therapy has been categorized as one of the most effective preventive and curative measure for back pain among other health conditions. Massage therapy is aimed at improving the circulation of blood by enhancing flow of oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. The mode of administering massage therapy involves the use of long and smooth strokes on the superficial layers of the muscles. The use of kneading and massage oil and lotion is adopted in enhancing the smooth flow of blood. In the professional arena, a normal massage therapy runs for about 40 to 90 minutes. In this situation, a preliminary consultation and review of the client’s conditions is done. In the process of conducting a massage therapy, the therapist or the health professional should carry out a concrete review of the medical history of the client as well as the lifestyles. This will help him come up with the right procedures (Ernst, 199).
Administering a massage therapy for low back pain
In normal cases, the massage procedure is done when the patient if unclothed. In this case, one is instructed to lie face down on the massage table; whereby positioning of the face is done using pillows so as to ensure comfort of the client. It should also be observed that, the use of oil or massage lotion is also a requirement to enhance comfort and effectiveness of the process. In order to ensure the whole process is effective, all other part of the body including; lags, abdomen, and neck are also massaged thus enhancing good flow of blood. The issue of privacy is also catered for by ensuring the room is properly locked and also the use of sheets to cover the patient (Mok, 2004).
In order to undertake a successful massage therapy, the therapists or experts carrying out should take sufficient precautions. People with low platelet or bleeding disorders should be exempted from vigorous massage. In case of fractures, healing wounds, or blood clots, the massage should not be carried on such areas. Further, the therapist or professional conducting the massage therapy should take caution to avoid massage to cancer patients or pregnant women (Levine, 1999).
It should further be observed that, there are various categories of massage which are designed for various purposes. Basically, there are two styles of massage; which include relational massage and the clinical massage. Despite that, the objectives and goals of these massage styles are nearly similar, the techniques of executing them are different. In the case of relational massage, the following techniques are administered. Static compression, addition of cold or hot therapies, static friction, gliding, kneading, shaking, and percussion techniques are adopted. A special note in these procedures is that they are aimed at bringing extra comfort to the clients. Significantly, there is high therapeutic or medicinal benefit accorded to the relational style of massage (Mitchinson, et al, 2007).
On the other hand, clinical styles of massage are basically aimed at therapeutic goals as compared with relational styles. In this situation, a specific manipulation of muscles and tissues is conducted. Medicinal objective is the guiding principle in carrying out the massage. In the case of low back pain, clinical massage is very efficient in reducing the pain as well as releasing muscle tightness. On another aspect, the procedures are carried to release nerve compression in the back alongside increasing the flexibility and range of motion. Some of the major techniques in executing clinical massage therapy for low back pain include; compression-pumping, cross fiber friction, gliding-deep, kneading and skin rolling (Mitchinson, et al, 2007).