How often should you get a massage is a common question I get asked as a massage therapist. But there isn’t a simple answer. It depends whether it’s a sports massage or something lighter and for what reason. Most people that have massages would probably like at least one every week, but cost is obviously an important factor. By timing the massages you get correctly however, you can maximise the benefits they give you.
How Often Should You Get A Massage For Relaxation
| Stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension which can lead to pain and even injury
A massage to help you relax, ease stress and anxiety and increase your overall wellbeing is very soothing to your body. Tension is lost from muscles, circulation is increased and the nervous system is calmed. Because of this there is no limit on how often you should have one, other than your level of stress. If it normally isn’t an issue for you but you’ve had a busy week or two, try once or twice a week until you feel more relaxed. It might only take a couple of sessions to get you back to feeling like your old self.
If you regularly have a stressful job and a hectic home life however, it could take longer. Stress is cumulative and can build up for weeks, months or even years. Because of this it could take a few massages to ease out all of that stored tension. After which, a regular maintenance massage a couple of times a month will help keep your body relaxed and healthy.
How Often Should You Get A Massage For An Injury
If you have an injury or are recovering from surgery, sports massage and stretching is ideal rehabilitation. It helps prevent the formation of scar tissue which would otherwise increase recovery time and restrict your range of movement. Plus massage increases blood flow to the area which helps to provide sufficient oxygen and other nutrients to promote healing(1). If that wasn’t enough, it also reduces pain naturally, without the need for medication.
A massage for an injury or after surgery is best done as an intensive, short-term treatment. Once or ideally twice a week treatment for four to six weeks. If this is to be done alongside other rehabilitation or stretching exercises you should first check that this okay. As healing and recovery progresses, massage frequency can be reduced to once a week or even once every two weeks. Depending on the cause of the injury, other muscles might benefit from massage to prevent future occurrences. For example, your slipped disc could be the result of long hours spent sitting at a desk which lead to tight back muscles and poor posture. Future back problems could be prevented by loosening those muscles with regular massage and stretching.
How Often Should You Get A Massage For Chronic Pain
| Chronic pain is unlikely to heal without treatment such as massage
Acute pain is that is felt at the time of an injury, such as a muscle strain or a tear, and is usually a sharp sensation. Chronic pain tends to be more of a dull ache or throb that persists for more than a few weeks. It can be the result of an injury that is developing or has developed scar tissue as it heals. But it is more likely to do with overly contracted muscles that cause tension and shortening. This means they can never properly relax. An example of this could be neck and shoulder pain from stress or working at a desk. Or it could be lower back pain from prolonged sitting or standing. These can go on to cause other issues such as headaches, migraines, sciatica and more.
Deep tissue massage or sports massage can be very beneficial in releasing muscle tension that is the cause of chronic pain. Initially one or two sessions a week is usually recommended which can become less frequent as things improve. However, research has shown that two or three sessions a week for the first four weeks is most effective(2). Overall the amount of sessions will be about the same, but cost and available time is a factor.
How Often Should You Get A Massage For Sport Or Exercise
Sports massage before competition or exercise has been shown to increase performance, reduce injuries and improve recovery time. Research has also shown that it reduces inflammation and stimulates the growth of new mitochondria(3). This means you’re a lot less likely to suffer from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
For best results, two or even three sports massages a week are recommended if time and your bank balance permits. If not, try to get at least one a week to reduce the chance of any developing knots becoming strains or tears. In the off season or during lighter training periods, you could instead have a Swedish massage once a week. Your nervous system, lymphatic system and circulatory system will thank you for the extra attention.
Book A Mobile Massage
If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here
Massage in York offers mobile massage in York and the surrounding area. I am an experienced, fully qualified massage therapist and if you’re in need of a massage, I will come to you. If you want information on how to book a mobile massage click here. Or keep reading for answers to the most frequently asked questions.
If a hectic life is giving you stress or you’re struggling to get about due to back pain or an injury, the last thing you want to do is fight your way through York’s endless traffic or walk any further than absolutely necessary to get treatment. A mobile massage from massage in York is the answer. Available from 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week, you can book a massage to fit in with your schedule.
What Does A Mobile Massage Involve?
Besides taking place in your home, a mobile massage is like any other massage and can involve different techniques to suit your needs. This includes a Swedish massage for relaxation, insomnia treatment, a boost to your immune system and numerous other benefits. Click to find out more about Swedish Massage.
Deep Tissue Massage and Sports Massage are for treating pain or injuries. Whether this is back or neck pain from prolonged computer work or a strain from sport or working out. Or rehabilitation to help improve flexibility and mobility after recovery. Click to find out more about Deep Tissue Massage or Sports Massage.
If you aren’t sure what type of massage your need that’s not a problem. Whether you’re wanting general relaxation or something more specific such as an area of tension or injury, we can decide together which would be best.
Do You Use A Massage Table?
| The massage mattress I generally use for massages
A massage table is what you will commonly find in a massage salon. While I do have one to use when necessary, I mainly use a massage mattress. Not only do many people find them more comfortable they take up less room, so you don’t need such a large open space.
Does A Massage Hurt?
Despite what many people believe, a massage does not have to hurt to be effective(1). For optimal results, when treating injuries or addressing knots, a deep tissue massage will prioritize muscle relaxation. If the level of pressure is causing you pain or too much discomfort you are unlikely to be relaxed. In the unlikely event this is the case during your massage don’t be afraid (or too polite) to say so.
Just like you wouldn’t expect to take your own towels to a salon, a mobile massage is no different. I provide everything that is required. However, if you wish to use your own towels, as some people prefer, you are welcome to do so. Also if you have allergies you might want to provide an oil that you know is suitable.
Do I Need To Complete A Health Questionnaire?
Completing a brief consultation form is necessary before the massage begins but this does not affect your massage time. This information helps to ensure your safety and well-being by identifying any potential risks before your massage. It also needs to be done for insurance purposes and only takes a couple of minutes. Alternatively I can email you the consultation form in advance if you’d like to complete it at your convenience.
Is a Mobile Massage As Good As Massage In A Salon?
The qualifications and training required to offer mobile massage are exactly the same as a massage offered anywhere else. I have a diploma in massage therapy and originally began massaging in 2005. I also qualified as an advanced personal trainer in 2008 and these qualifications cover all aspects of health and fitness. They include client lifestyle and fitness assessment, nutrition and weight management, and postural analysis. This helps me diagnose the causes of many problems and offer advice on how to prevent their return after massage.
A mobile massage is also more private and more convenient than in a salon. And when they’re finished you don’t have the hassle of getting home, you’re already there!
If you’re looking for a massage therapist in york and would like to book please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here
A deep tissue massage is intended to help relieve painful, tight or injured muscles. If relaxation is your goal, a Swedish massage might be more suitable. Also, a deep tissue massage will generally focus on a specific area of tightness or injury. A relaxation massage is more likely to involve the whole body.
| A massage therapist relieving tension in the calves
A deep tissue massage can treat a variety of complaints. These include muscle pain, muscles that are tight or knotted, postural issues, back pain, sciatica or neck and shoulder pain. It can also help with injuries from exercise such as tennis elbow or a strained hamstring. Or something that stops you exercising at your best. Studies have shown that massage can be effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain and fibromyalgia.
Many of the techniques used for deep tissue massage are similar to those for relaxation. But as the name implies, the aim is to work deeper into the muscles. For example, tension or injury to muscles that are close to the skin could cause your back problems. In many cases however, the issue is deeper. This means that more pressure may need to be applied in order to reach them. Therefore the massage might well start off feeling like one intended for relaxation in order to loosen up the surface muscles. But this is only to get through to those beneath where the actual problem lies.
Does A Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
Whatever you’re reasons for getting a deep tissue massage, if one is necessary it usually means that there are some muscles that need to relax. The extra pressure might not be quite as comfortable as a relaxation massage. This does not mean it will be painful however. If you experience pain during a massage you are likely to tense up your muscles rather than relax them, which is the opposite of what we want. There may be certain areas that are more sensitive than others, but this should no more than a discomfort. As with any massage though, you have the final say on the pressure applied and the treatment used.
Deep Tissue Massage Techniques
If you have ever had a Swedish massage you will recognise some of the techniques. But it’s not as simple as the same thing with more pressure. Deep tissue massage actively targets “knots” and scar tissue, promoting their release and reducing pain and inflammation. In turn this can limit range of motion, affect circulation and impinge nerves such as the sciatic nerve which can cause back pain.
Effleurage is first used to in order to warm up muscles and facilitate relaxation. After this, other techniques are then applied depending on the nature of the problem. The most common include petrissage, which is used to compress and squeeze muscles to get rid of knots. Also friction, which works against the grain of a muscle, and stripping, which is a deep gliding pressure along the muscle.
Benefits Of Deep Tissue Massage
Some of the many benefits include:
Reduced Stress And Tension
| Upper back pain is often the result of muscle tension and stress
Studies have shown that deep tissue massage is even more effective than Swedish massage for reducing stress and tension (1). This is important because chronic stress increases inflammation in the body. And this can lead to a host of illnesses and conditions. This includes a weakened immune system, which is unable to fight off colds and influenza or more serious illness. It can also cause high blood pressure with its potentially life-threatening side effects and general poor health. A single massage session has demonstrably lowered both blood pressure and resting heart rate.
Breaking Up Of Scar Tissue
Following injury the formation of scar tissue can slow recovery and reduce range of movement. Also, inflammation around the injury can restrict blood flow, preventing vital nutrients reaching the area and increase pain. Deep tissue massage can minimise the formation of scar tissue, reduce muscle spasms and stimulate blood flow. Untreated scar tissue in an older injury can lead to chronic pain and a reduced range of motion. Treating this with massage can return the affected area to normal function.
Reduced Arthritis Symptoms
The Arthritis Foundation states massage is often used in the relief of many common symptoms of arthritis (2). This includes reduced pain and stiffness, reduced anxiety, improved range of motion and better quality of sleep. But the pressure has to be moderate, as with a deep tissue massage, rather than light. Deeper pressure lowers the heart rate which stimulates relaxation and reduces tension.
Treatment For Chronic Back Pain
There are numerous treatments for chronic back pain, but many are ineffective, short-term or invasive. The most frequent cause is muscle strain, whether by sudden movement, over exertion or pre-existing tension. Inflammation and scar tissue can persist after healing and contribute to the ongoing experience of chronic pain. Deep tissue massage can reduce scar tissue and inflammation whether it has been weeks, months or even years.
Book A Mobile Massage
If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here
I am a Massage Therapist in York where I offer sports, deep tissue and Swedish (relaxation) massage. I use these to treat a wide variety of issues and complaints. This includes relief from sudden or chronic, muscle relaxation to ease tension and knots, injury rehabilitation and reduction of scar tissue. Also pre and post-sport/workout massages to help muscles recover and ease or prevent injuries.
| Having your calf massaged can fix your heel pain, but it might also help stop your headaches!
Some issues are quite straightforward. For example, tennis or golfer’s elbow is pain on the outside or inside of the forearm usually the result of repetitive strain. This causes tension and inflammation in the muscles, treated by rest and massage to the affected area.
But things can get a lot more complicated.
If you have a pain in your foot when you run, or even just when you walk, you might have plantar fasciitis. You could try stretching or rolling your foot over a tennis ball, but this is just treating the symptom. The cause of the pain is more likely to be tight muscles in your calves. But why are they tight?
As a massage therapist I look for the source of the issue. In the case of foot pain (plantar fasciitis) I have seen this be caused by tight calves, which in turn was caused by an incorrect walking action. This was the result of tight hip muscles (gluteus medius(1)) which also caused lower back pain. As well as neck and shoulder pain!
How A Massage Therapist Can Help
The above example shows that some issues are not simply the result of over use or repetitive strain. Instead they can be complex and require not just massage to the affected muscles but also those that are causing it. In this case the lower back and hips. As an experienced massage therapist I can also offer stretches to help speed up recovery. Plus with a background in personal training I offer corrective rehabilitation exercises catering to all levels of fitness.
Book A Mobile Massage
If you’re looking for a massage in york and would like to book please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here
| A sports massage for lower back pain will relax tight muscles
As a massage therapist, I most often give sports massages for lower back pain. Back pain can start as a small ache or twinge that you feel now and again. Something which comes and goes that you treat with a hot bath or painkiller. But then it hurts more often than it doesn’t and before you know it the pain is constant and seriously affecting your daily life. Even if it seems like it came on more suddenly, your muscles were no doubt tight long before that. There are many possible causes, such as prolonged sitting or standing, poor posture, jogging or weight training. But these are just the most common and it’s important to figure out the source of yours to help prevent it returning in the future.
Let’s start with a few examples before moving on to how a sports massage for lower back pain can help.
| Sports massage can effectively treat lower back pain often caused by prolonged sitting
Some health experts have said that too much sitting is as bad for our health as smoking(1). Whether or not this is true, it’s definitely bad for your back. If your lower back pain is like an ache when you’re sitting, there’s a good chance that prolonged sitting is what caused it in the first place. This could be from driving, working at a desk, or slumped on the sofa working at home. Unless you have a very strong core that can keep your back in its correct position for several hours a day your muscles are going to be tight. And tight muscles eventually become sore and inflamed, even when you’re not sitting.
But Is It Just Your Lower Back?
If prolonged sitting is the reason you’re wanting of a sports massage for lower back pain, it will definitely help. But the area most in need might not be in your lower back, it could be the muscles of your hips and glutes. When you’re in a seated position, your hip muscles contract and become shortened. As are your gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and piriformis. This means they will tighten up, become inflamed and have reduced blood supply. And that can send pain into your lower back. The job of those muscles is to assist with hip abduction when you’re walking. When they’re tight however, your quadratus lumborum (QL) has to take over. This back muscle now has to do a job it wasn’t designed for, which further stresses something that is already a tight and weak.
Lower Back Pain When Standing
Prolonged standing can cause lower back pain, especially if you have a bad posture
If your lower back issues are at their worst when you are standing, or straightening up after bending forward, the cause is likely to be related to your hips and glutes. As mentioned earlier, sitting for long periods can tighten up those muscles and affect your back. But so can prolonged standing. This doesn’t mean when you’re walking around or being generally active though. It means standing in pretty much the same place.
Jobs such as a greeter, factory worker or chef are good examples(2).
Why Is This Bad For Your Muscles?
This position shortens your glutes and your lower back, leading to a lack of flexibility in these muscles. Specifically, your gluteus maximus and medius and your quadratus lumborum (QL). As well as your erector spinae muscles which run alongside your spine from your lower back up to your neck. And let’s not forget your hamstrings, already tight from sitting and driving, which can tighten further, adding to the discomfort.
Bending forward becomes a particular struggle when these shortened muscles tighten further, leaving your lower back feeling stiff and achy.When you do, all of these muscles have to stretch, which they no longer find easy. And because your glutes can’t do the job they’re meant for, your hamstrings and especially your lower back have to try to take over. This can turn a chronic back ache into a jolt of sudden of pain. Even if it’s something as simple as putting on your socks in the morning.
Lower Back Pain In Bed
| Laying down can make your lower back pain worse, even with a good mattress
If you struggle through the day with back pain you can at least check your sitting and standing posture. You can also do some gentle stretches and mobilisation exercises to help prevent things getting worse while you have treatment. For some people, laying down takes all of the pressure off their back and allows them some relief. But for others, laying down, especially in bed, can make things even worse. And a good night’s sleep free from waking up every time you turn over a distant memory.
Getting Up Can Be Even Worse
You might also find sitting up to get out of bed in the morning just as difficult. And instead you have to wriggle on to one side so you can get your knees underneath you and then roll to the floor. This problem can be caused by issues which have been mentioned before. A tight quadratus lumborum (QL), erector spinae and tight glutes.
If you tend to sleep on your front or back this puts these muscles in a very short position. As a result they will stiffen up during the night. Sitting up to get out of bed then requires these muscles to stretch, which is what causes the pain. Side sleeping stretches one QL while shortening the other, creating a muscle imbalance that can contribute to pain. Especially if you have a soft mattress(3). Then when you try to turn over you are asking these muscles to work and for the shortened muscle to stretch. Not only can this action be very painful it can also cause injury in the form of a muscle strain.
Exercise And Lower Back Pain
There are many causes of lower back pain while exercising, whether this is group classes, lifting weights or jogging. And while the muscles involved are usually the same, the reason why you are having problems with them can differ.
Lower Back Pain From Deadlifts
If deadlifts are your issue, such as a sharp pain or stiffness during the exercise, there are two main reasons. The first is glute muscles that are too tight or weak to allow you to bend at the hip. The second is a tight QL and erector spinae muscles trying to do a job they’re not designed for. Both of these things will also prevent you from maintaining a correct S-shaped spine and instead it will be more C-shaped. If you are doing squats, these tight muscles will instead cause an excessive lumbar curve. And this will put a lot of pressure on your lower back.
Lower Back Pain When Jogging
If jogging is when you feel your lower back pain, a common reason is tight glute muscles. Specifically, your gluteus medius. The reason for this is when you run (or walk) it should be doing the job of hip abduction. But if it’s tight and weak your QL has to do the work instead, which puts excessive strain on your lower back.Running on hard surfaces like pavement or roads can further exacerbate the situation.
Lower Back Pain From Exercise Classes
| Weight training can cause lower back pain but so can exercise classes
The two previous examples can cause your lower back pain even if you’re concentrating on your technique. But doing them at speed in a group exercise class such as Body Pump can be just as bad if not worse. Countless reps involving bending, lifting and twisting with no time to think about that twinge in your back can all add up to a major problem. And a tight muscle anywhere can lead to compensation by others that shouldn’t really be involved in that movement.
Poor Posture And Lower Back Pain
| Tight muscles can cause a bad posture
Having a good posture means your body is in its optimum position for what it’s doing. Whether this is sitting, standing, picking something up, running, doing a specific exercise at the gym, DIY, gardening, using your phone or laptop or even sleeping. If your posture is good, you are less likely to get injured. This is because you are using your body as it was meant to be used. If it’s bad you could be using the muscles on one side more than the other. Or making them work in a way they’re not designed to.
It could be that many years ago you had an accident or injury that caused a small change to your posture you were unaware of. And over time this has developed into something far more significant in that area. Or it could have progressed to the point where the painful muscle is not the one you originally injured(4).
What Does This Have To Do With Lower Back Pain?
Well, if you have a poor posture it affects the way you sit, stand, move and lift. Instead of maintaining a healthy S-shaped curve, chronic poor posture can gradually flatten your lower back, setting the stage for potential discomfort. Especially if you slump in your chair.
| The Erector Spinae is on the left
Another common cause is picking things up by bending at your waist rather than your hips, which can lead to a strain or even a slipped disc. In turn this can lead to excessive lumbar curve and be the cause of problems in your upper back. The reason for this is your glute muscles have become tight and therefore weak. This means that your hamstrings and lower back have had to take over the role to compensate. Your erector spinae and QL also then become tighter and therefore shorter, which is what causes you to have a poor posture. And your poor posture is what can cause lower back pain.
Muscles Targeted In A Sports Massage For Lower Back Pain
This article has highlighted the quadratus lumborum (QL), the erector spinae and the gluteus medius muscles as major contributors to lower back pain. But where exactly are they and how will a sports massage for lower back pain help?
The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) And Erector Spinae
| The QL muscle is on the right
The QL is a deep muscle in your lower back. It runs from the iliac crest of your pelvis and connects to your lumbar vertebrae and lowest rib. If just one side contracts you will bend to that side at the waist. If you are already bending forward and both sides contract they will straighten you up to an upright position.
The erector spinae is a group of 3 muscles alongside your spine. They run from the iliac crest of your pelvis all the way up to your head. Like the QL, if one side contracts you will bend to that side, if both sides contract you will straighten. The difference is that the erector spinae affect the length of the back, therefore keeping it straight during a deadlift type movement.
Tightness in the erector spinae or QL will contribute to an excessive lumbar curve. And it is tightness, overuse or incorrect use of these muscles that is most often responsible for lower back pain.
The Gluteus Medius
| The Gluteus Medius is on the right
Although you are less likely to feel pain in your gluteus medius, issues here are often the initial cause of your lower back pain. It is hidden deep under your gluteus maximus (buttock) and connect your femur (thigh) to your pelvis. When contracted it abducts your hip, meaning it moves one leg away from the other. It also stabilises your pelvis when you walk or run. Problems arise when you do something that involves bending at the waist, especially with a heavy weight or when twisted. It is tightness or weakness here that contributes to incorrect use of the QL.
How A Sports Massage For Lower Back Pain Can Help
A sports massage for lower back pain would initially focus on reducing the discomfort in your QL and erector spinae. This means getting rid of any scar tissue that has built up and increasing blood supply to the area. As well as increasing flexibility to allow your pelvis to move more freely. This is likely just a symptom of issues with your gluteus muscles however. So in order to prevent your back issues returning the underlying cause should be dealt with by also massaging your gluteus medius.
How To Book A Sports Massage For Lower Back Pain
If you would like to book a sports massage for lower back pain please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here
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