QuestionI periodically get massages at our clubs fitness center. My basic problem is that I have lower back pain and muscle tightness from playing lots of golf. I constantly have some back pain- not excruciating but annoying. I know I have scoliosis and a herniated disk- which don't cause me great pain. I don't always get the same treatment from different massage therapists- each seem to have their own technique. I tell them I want them to concentrate on my back- but very often they say it is best if they do an overall treatment- they spend ( I think) excessive amount of time on my feet and legs and not enough time on my back, neck and shoulders. I had one that used hot rocks which really felt could. What advise can you give me to guide the therapist in the direction that I want- what should I look for in a therapist? Your help is appreciated.
AnswerGreetings Beryl. Different people do have different ways of doing massage, mostly based on what they were trained in. Sometimes massaging the muscles that surround an area can help relieve pain there - everything in the body is quite closely connected with everything else, so something major like back pain could easily affect other parts. Sometimes it is necessary, if the origin of the problem is in the feet or legs. An imbalance in one foot can eventually work its way up to the neck. While I do ask if they want me to at least acknowledge other parts of the body, I generally only work on the areas that the person requests. I kind of feel that if they cannot spend all the time on the area you want, they might not know enough truly therapeutic work, and have to make up the time working other areas.
So, what to look for in a massage therapist: ask a lot of questions. Ask about their training, how many hours the school was, how many hands on hours they recieved, how much anatomy and pathology education they have. You can also ask them what their favorite things in massage are; someone who is well trained and loves what they do will be able to answer these questions. I could, if needed, spend an entire hour on the feet and lower legs, so there is enough to do if you are well trained. Depending on your location, there could be laws governing massage licenses; do their hours exceed those stated in the law? Are they trained in any muscle/soft tissue therapies and injury rehabilitation instead of what we call "fluff and buff".
You can also be very direct with your therapist. Tell them that you want them to spend only 5 minutes on your lower body, if you even want them to address that area, even though you know that not much work is going to get done. And if they still work too much on your legs, let them know your displeasure by tipping poorly or by not rebooking! You could also ask any chiropractors or doctors that you trust if they could recommend a massage therapist who can give you therapy, not just a relaxing massage.
Hot stone massages are very relaxing and feel great, and in your case, with the problems and pains in your low back, I probably would not do any heat for a while. Once the area begins to heal itself heat would definately help, but as heat brings more lymphatic fluid to an area, it should be avoided in areas that are already inflammed or injured. If anything, ice should be used regularly, 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, repeated 3-4 times, twice a day.
A few things that I want to ask you about: how severe is the scoliosis and the herniated disk? Any twisting motions, such as those used in golf, can exacerbate both of those conditions. Non-impact exercise, like bike riding, might be a little easier on your body. Swimming is generally not recommended, as it also incorporates a lot of twisting. It takes some care and planning from a trained expert to find some exercise that will help strengthen those back muscles that are weak from the scoliosis and allow those muscles that are tight to relax.
I hope this is of some help, Beryl. Please feel free to write back with any other questions. Also feel free to rate me on AllExperts, as both constructive and positive feedback help me learn to help others better.
Sincerely,
Christopher Hall
