Unnecessary Chronic Back Pain
Do you ever go through a day praying that the
pain in your back will just go away? Incidents of chronic back pain are
growing fast. According to the National Back Pain Association, back injuries
at work are rising at 500,000, while overall back work accidents have fallen
to 33,000. This suggest that most chronic back pain is caused by wear and
tear. The National Back Pain Association also states that between 1994-1995
there were 115 million certified days of sickness due to back pain. This
cost industries at least $5.1 billion in lost production. Many people think
that the only way to get rid of the pain is by taking pain medications.
But this is not so. Massage is an excellent way to relieve back pain. It
is a safe passive form of therapy.
What causes back pain? Wear, tear, and overuse. There are four potential
soft tissue problems that stem from wear and tear. These conditions frequently
involve ischemia. Ischemia is a decreased supply of oxygenated blood to
a body part often marked by pain and dysfunction. The four most common
problems in the healing process are chronic tension, low grade inflammation,
adherences, and scar tissue. Muscles in a state of chronic tension have
the neediest cells but get the least of what they need. The sustained muscle
contraction squeezes the blood vessels reducing the flow of oxygenated
blood through the muscle. This vicious cycle creates more need for fuel,
a reduced fuel delivery, and a waste accumulation, which causes muscle
fatigue and pain. The pain is a result of an acid waste build up, or it
can be from substances released by the cells that cause the vessels to
dilate. This release is part of the inflammation process. Inflammation
is the protective response of the tissues of the body to irritation or
injury. Cardinal signs are redness, heat, swelling, and pain accompanied
by loss of function. Part of the Inflammation process is increased scar
tissue production which causes limited extensibility. Inflammation is moist
and adhesive. If not cleared through the lymph vessels, it will harden
and cause the muscles to cling to the surfaces of surrounding tissue. This
is an adherence.
Massage can help relieve chronic back pain by addressing the initial cause
by stimulating the body's own natural healing abilities. Massage removes
physical or emotional blocks created by tension. It enhances circulation
of blood and lymph (waste removal) in two ways: by direct mechanical effect
the massage therapist can put pressure on the muscles and vessels pushing
the fluid through them, and secondly, by a reflex action through the nervous
system. Massage brings about a calming feeling allowing the muscles to
relax from their constant state of contraction. Rehabilitation of back
injuries occurs through restoring mobility between tissue surfaces, increasing
extensibility of individual structures, the break down of adherences and
scar tissue, increased circulation of blood, and waste removal (lymphatic
system).
