According to a 2019 survey by the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), one in eight Canadians suffer from a chronic back problem. The issue of back pain is widespread and can arise for a number of reasons. Acute back pain is often caused by a sudden injury to the muscles that support the back, which may spasm, strain, or tear when damaged. Over the long term, back pain can persist in those with arthritis conditions, infections of the kidney or kidney stones, or problems with the gallbladder or pancreas.
Dealing with back pain can be frustrating, but working with your healthcare provider to determine a suitable treatment regimen can help you manage and alleviate symptoms. Many individuals who deal with back pain find massage therapy to be a source of relaxation and pain relief.
Can a massage chair help your back?
A 2017 study published in Pain Medicine looked at individuals with persistent back pain. Each person was given 10 massage sessions over 12 weeks and after this period, more than 50 percent of participants reported reductions in pain. Of that 50 percent, 75 percent noted that they still felt the improvements after 24 weeks.
Massage chairs can replicate some of the effects of a traditional massage at home. Many models include powerful rollers designed to mimic the movement of human hands, and some even include targeted programs that provide users with the ability to hone in on problem areas,
Is a back massager good for back pain?
Massage therapy can facilitate healing in the lower back, especially when the pain is a result of back strain. When the right muscle is targeted, the pain can be addressed at the source, promoting quicker recovery and lasting relief from aches.
It should be noted that not all back pain can or should be treated with massage therapy at home. For example, osteoporosis patients may need to avoid using massage chairs or other massage devices due to the potential for damage to brittle bones.
How do massage chairs help back pain?
Blood flow
Maintaining sufficient blood flow to the body’s tissues is essential for good overall wellbeing. Good circulation allows fresh blood and oxygen to be transported to muscles and helps the body take waste away and back to the kidneys. Efficient management of waste around the muscles encourages faster recovery times, helps reduce soreness post-exercise, and promotes better tissue health. When tissues are healthy, they are more resistant to injury and able to recover from damage at a faster rate.
A 2004 study examined the effects of massage on blood flow and muscle fatigue following lumbar exercise and found that the treatments appeared to enhance blood flow in local regions. The rollers in a massage chair can apply the pressure needed to ease congested vessels so the body can continue to send nutrient-rich blood to muscles in need of repair.
Lymphatic flow
The body’s lymphatic system is composed of tissues, organs, and vessels that work together to move lymphatic fluid — also known as lymph — back into the bloodstream. Cells and tissues get rid of excess substances which are not reabsorbed into the capillaries, becoming part of lymph. Lymph also contains nutrients, damaged cells, bacteria, viruses, and white blood cells called lymphocytes (which play a key role in fighting infection).
When lymph nodes don’t drain properly, fluid can accumulate and cause swelling and pain. Just like veins, lymphatic vessels operate under low pressure and contain a number of valves to direct and manage flow. A massage chair with features and programs that target areas around the lymphatic system — like the neck, spine, and limbs — can employ its rollers to stimulate lymph and keep it moving around the body.
Heat massage
Heat helps the body’s vessels to dilate, allowing more blood to be carried to the damaged area and relieving tension in muscles. Research from 2014 found thermotherapy was effective in treating acute low back pain and non-specific low back pain, while participants in another 2006 study reported significant reductions in low back pain after five days of heat therapy.
Many massage chairs now come equipped with built-in heat therapy (thermotherapy) systems to provide users with extra pain relief. Certain models give the user the option of enjoying heat therapy treatments without activation of the massage function, which can be beneficial on days when gentler methods of pain relief are required.
Reduce inflammation
While massage therapy has long been considered useful in alleviating tension and pain, researchers from Ontario’s McMaster University found it can also trigger biochemical sensors that send inflammation-reducing signals to muscle cells. The 2012 study revealed that even a brief 10-minute massage can reduce inflammation in muscles after exercise.
Additionally, massage may encourage muscles to build more mitochondria, which are the power centres inside the body’s cells that aid healing. If you’re seeking to soothe inflammation in back muscles, a short treatment in a massage chair may be able to provide the relief you’re looking for.
Back pain (whether it’s acute or chronic) can affect quality of life and hinder day-to-day activities when left untreated. By aiding blood and lymphatic flow, reducing inflammation, and — in some models — delivering heat therapy to affected areas, massage chairs can help users reap some of the benefits of massage therapy from home at their own convenience.
If you have a pre-existing condition, it’s advisable to consult with your doctor prior to beginning massage treatments with a device or chair.