How can massage help back pain? Dave Taylor from Sutton, Surrey tells you how.

For many years people have recognised the relief that massage can bring when treating back pain. In fact, Hippocrates recommended "a scented bath and an oiled massage every day" and that was 2,400 years ago! A recent clinical trial that was completed early in 2011 has showed that people suffering from chronic back pain who were treated with weekly massage treatments recovered quicker than people treated with usual care for back pain.

The study was carried out by the nonprofit Group Health Research Institute in Seattle using 401 persons 20 to 65 years of age with nonspecific chronic low back pain. The patients were randomly split into groups with some receiving weekly massage treatment and others receiving usual pain relieving medication and heat pads. After 10 weeks the massage group had improved considerably compared to the other patients.

For instance, about 30 percent of those getting massages had used painkillers in the past week, compared to 40 percent of those getting usual care. And twice as many in the usual care group -- seven percent -- had stayed in bed at least one day in the past month.

So why does massage help relieve back pain?

Massage increases blood flow and circulation, which aids sore muscles and the recovery of soft tissue injury.

Massage can decrease muscle tension and this muscle relaxation can improve flexibility, reduce pain and may even improve sleep.

But best of it all it feels really good increasing endorphin levels in the brain. Boosting your endorphin levels can ease depression and anxiety, which can help reduce pain and speed recovery.

I have never had any doubt of the effectiveness of massage when it comes to treating back pain and have seen some astounding results with my own clients often after just one treatment. 

Click here to contact Dave Taylor an advanced Raynor Massage Therapist working in Sutton.