It's not news that a back massage feels good. But now there's clinical evidence to show just how good.

 

Low back pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical attention, and it is tough to treat as very few medical therapies, from medications to injections to surgeries, relieve it.


In the latest study comparing the benefits of adding massage to usual care for lower back pain, researchers report that massage improved pain symptoms and allowed patients to function better than those who didn't get massage. The participants' pain was typical - the result of wear and tear on muscles, or from being tensed up in front of a computer for too long. They received massage once a week for at least an hour.

 

According to the US study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, massage therapy helps people who suffer from chronic back pain. After 10 weeks, patients who got weekly massage sessions used fewer painkillers and spent less time in bed than those who didn't get any special care. However, it seems the positive impact disappears after a year.

 

The benefit of massage is far better than the degree of benefit that most people see from taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, for low back pain.

 

"I think this trial is good news in the sense that it suggests that massage is a useful option that helps some substantial fraction of these patients," says study researcher Richard A. Deyo, MD.

 

To follow a career in massage therapy one should be trained in Swedish massage, Deep Tissue Massage which are taught by most massage courses.

 

Many massage courses in London involve specific training for full-body massage using professional techniques.