Massage therapy is a general term referring to several practices of manipulating soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage incorporates manual touch to improve circulation, relax muscles, improve range of motion, and increase endorphin levels.
Healthcare providers are recognizing massage therapy as a legitimate aid for lower back pain.
Patients typically pursue massage therapy in addition to medical treatment. Forms of massage therapy include neuromuscular therapy, sports massage, and Swedish massage. Neuromuscular therapy, the most effective massage treatment for low back pain, consists of alternating levels of pressure applied to muscles to alleviate muscle spasm.
