Hurt Back Exercising -- Can Massage Help Recovery?

[discount.queen]

Felt my back starting to strain today while exercising (back extensions, good mornings, etc.) and like an idiot I kept working out until during a dead lift I felt my lower back spasm then give and now I have a very painful stiff back. It's not absolute agony but it is pretty bad. I do this a couple times a year so I know the feeling and, with rest, I'm usually close to normal in a week or two.

The problem this time is I've got a big expensive backpacking trip planed for 10 days from now. I don't really know much about massage therapy, but I've heard it can be useful for back issues. Is my injury the type that can benefit from massage? How much and what kind of therapy should I be looking at? Thanks for any help.

 

[Blondie]

Hurt Back Exercising -- Can Massage Help Recovery?

Hi Carl, and I am sorry to hear about your injury. Of course, I am sure you know that you should see a physician for a complete examination and diagnosis. You could be looking at a mild to acute strain, which massage therapy most certainly could help, or something as intense as a herniated disc or bluging disc. And while massage can help allieviate some of the symptoms, unfortunately discs take time to heal. And possibly would need some extra intervention to help.

As for who to go to for your massages, I think anyone who is reputable and professional will help. I try to find therapists that have a braod level of education and modalities so they can create a treatment plan consisting of several different techniques.
And, if you are as active as it seems I would recommend seeing a good massage therapist on a regular basis and reward your body for working so hard for you. It really keeps the injuries down to a minimum.


Oh, and you mentioned good mornings/back extensions and I just wanted to add that whoever works on you should spend some tme working your anterior abdominal/core muscles... psoas, iliacus, rectus abdominus and hip flexors,, these all play an important role in allowing for full range of motion and support for the back.

Good luck, and please let us know what you decide to do and if you were able to go on your backpacking trip.

 

[Free Abuse]

Hurt Back Exercising -- Can Massage Help Recovery?

Thank you for your very considerate response. I apperciate the advice about medical treatment. I've had the issue before, and much worse, and I've been into the doctor's and had the x-rays. I've been unable to move and I been reduced to walking with a cane. This isn't one of those times, thank goodness.

I've made an appointment to see a therapist this afternoon and I will bring up the areas of work you listed. I'm wondering if I can benefit from more than one massage before I leave, or is one enough?

I will go on that trip, no matter what. I'd leave today in my current condition if I had to. I'm just not sure I'd be able to leave base camp once I was there.

 

[Chris A]

Hurt Back Exercising -- Can Massage Help Recovery?

Hi Carl -

I split my time between being a personal trainer and running a massage center (where I am also a therapist). It is entirely possible for you to recover in time for your trip, but you need to get on it ASAP. A good massage therapist skilled in therapeutic work (neuromuscular therapy, orthopedic massage, etc.) and some form of dynamic stretching (active isolated stretching, PNF stretching, etc.) can help you get things back in order very quickly, particularly if they also teach you some useful movements/stretches you can practice between sessions. If you can get 2-3 such sessions in before your trip, you should be in good shape for your trip, but you will want to continue practicing the assigned movements/stretches while you are away.

I'm glad you have an appointment scheduled already. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Dunyah]

Hurt Back Exercising -- Can Massage Help Recovery?

Carl,
How did your session go with the massage therapist?
And you most definitely should shoot for at least 2 more sessions before your trip. Jason is right about having the therapist work with you and give you some maintenance homework to do to help keep your back under control while you are backpacking..


Please consider making massage a regular part of your fitness program, It will help keep your muscles (and especially your back) happy!!

 

[SeanT]

Hurt Back Exercising -- Can Massage Help Recovery?

Thanks both of you. My session went great. I felt better immediately after. My therapist was way ahead of me on the abdominal muscle groups. She started talking about them as soon as I mentioned the sore back. She also gave me instruction on stuff to do at home including stretches and trigger points. She also recommended epson salt bath. Honestly, some of the stuff she talked about went over my head. But I tried to absorb as much as possible. We talked about getting a couple more sessions in before my trip. I did have a pretty humiliating reaction to some of the abdominal stimulation. She told me not to worry about it, but I'm still a little embarassed. Tentatively scheduled to return on Monday.

 

[Sebastian M]

Hurt Back Exercising -- Can Massage Help Recovery?

Carl,,,
PLEASE do not worry about a completely natural reaction! It like you found a very competent therapist!! I heartily recommend epsom salts too.. that is a great miracle worker, it helps sore and contracted muscles to relax.

You will seriously need to let us know how you continue to improve and then report back about your trip!