Low Back Pain: A Debilitation
Research suggests that a step into the later stages of life is a step closer to developing lower back pain. The incidence of lower back pain (LBP) increases around 60 years of age and the females are more prone to it. It is identified as a major contributor to diseases causing disability with a high YLD (years lived with disability).
Lower back pain can be of different varieties. You might have muscle sprained due to persistent abrupt postures, or have sciatic nerve impingement running down your leg. At times the sciatic nerve pain is associated with burning and tingling sensations that do not respond to any medicines at all
How To Relieve Low Back Pain?
Apart from the stomach-wrenching pain-killer medicines, you can try some home remedies to get rid of the gnawing discomfort of low back pain. Some of these remedies are discussed below:
Massage For Low Back Pain
Massage therapy has been given to us by our ancestors. Pressing sore muscles in just the right way can soothe you. Alternative medicine even believes that healing touch to the therapy-receiving cancer patients can turn things over and make life better for them.
The general benefits gained from a massage include:
- Reduces muscle tension
- Relieves back pain
- Instills calmness and tranquility in the body
- Improves blood circulation
- Promotes endocrine system performance (hormone production)
Studies suggest that massage effectively reduces lower back pain, improves disability, and enhances the flexibility of the spine. An expert’s touch can rejuvenate your spine and restore the circulation in your back.
According to another cohort study, older adults with chronic low back pain responded superbly to massage therapy. Participants above 49 years of age reported having significant reductions in pain and improvements in back mobility.
An ayurvedic massage also known as Sahacharadi Taila can keep your low back pain away for long periods, a randomized controlled trial suggests.
Benefits Of A Massage Chair For Low Back Pain
Yes, massage is ultimately beneficial for your low back pain but the corona virus has all of us stuck to our homes. Worry not! The technological advancements are here to help you.
Now you can get all the benefits from massage therapists by bringing home a massage chair. Following are the main features of a massage chair:
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Younger People Like The Massage Chair
The massage chair has not practically descended from the heavens but is no less for the back pain sufferers. A pilot study suggests that chair massage is an effective way of reducing pain, and anxiety. It even elevates mood.
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Musicians Love It
Musicians with their hectic schedule of training, are at a greater risk of developing back pain. Musculoskeletal pain arising in the neck, upper back, and lower back hinder the day-to-day activities of musicians. A 2020 study suggests that musicians should use a massage chair every day to keep low back pain at bay.
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Better Than Physiotherapy
According to a randomized controlled trial carried out in 2020, a chair massage is superior to physiotherapy for low back pain in a number of ways. The main aim of both procedures is pain relief and improvement in quality of life. Both processes lead to sufficient pain control and patient satisfaction. However, chair massage was found out to be a more cost-effective method of pain relief. With a chair massage, all you have to do is sit and enjoy. The hassle of traffic, no commuting, no fuel charges, no physiotherapist charges, and above all no risk of getting exposed to coronavirus. The chair massage might not be exactly as efficacious as in-home physical therapy massage but is a blessing in times of lockdown
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Can Be Used In The Workplace
It was found in a study that chair massage sessions at the workplace lead to improved mood and lesser occurrence of musculoskeletal low back pain. Significant improvements in muscle strain related to prolonged sitting were seen.
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Provides Acupoint Massage
As per a 2018 study, automatic massage chairs can be used to give acupoint massage. Traditional Chinese Medicine has identified specific points in the human body that can be massaged to get pain relief. These points are called acupoints.The Korean study states that an acupoint massage given by a massage chair is very effective in decreasing back pain and can effectively be used in day-to-day life.
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Imparts Psychological Relief
A pilot study states that a robotic chair massage not only relieves pain but also elevates mood. Just like a physical massage, the chair massage is capable of bringing about peace and tranquility in chronic pain patients while reducing symptoms of anxiety.
Hot/Cold Massage Therapy
Applying alternating hot and cold to the sore, painful muscles of the back has also shown to be effective in alleviating pain. Heat application releases the tension of the muscles while the cold (ice) application removes inflammation.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment that involves the insertion of very fine/thin needles into the painful points on the body. A study suggests that acupuncture provides evident pain relief in chronic low back pain patients.
Stretches And Exercise
You can also try doing some light stretches to get relief from low back pain. People prone to back aches should make stretches a part of their routine. It strengthens the back muscles. Stretches work best when paired with a chair massage.
Meditative exercises such as yoga and tai chi can also help in easing your muscles and provide pain relief.
In Conclusion
Lower back pain is a serious condition that can prove to be an obstacle in the performance of daily chores. It is believed that 70% of the world population will develop low back pain at some point in life. Massage therapy is an effective way of casting out the pain but the coronavirus pandemic has now made physical sessions almost impossible.
Therefore, a massage chair is the best option for chronic low back pain sufferers because it is efficient, cost-effective, and comfortable to use.
