Lower back pain is one of the chief complaints we treat most often, whether the patient comes in for acupuncture or medical massage or both, lower back pain affects numerous people.
Lower back pain can be a result of sitting at a desk for hours a day, or from overworking your back with an intense workout or adding something new to your routine. Many folks can wake up with low back pain and don’t have any idea of how or why they are experiencing pain.
We know that acupuncture and medical massage can help relieve your lower back pain.
Studies show how both acupuncture and medical massage can help your pain level and mobility.
We also know that regular stretching can also eliminate or help prevent injuries. Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.
Piriformis Stretches are key when having lower back issues. Many people are familiar with sciatica pain, but many don’t know that to release the sciatica you will need to start with the Piriformis muscle.
The piriformis is a small muscle located deep in the buttock, behind the gluteus maximus. It runs diagonally from the lower spine to the upper surface of the femur, with the sciatic nerve running underneath or through the muscle. The piriformis muscle helps the hip rotate, turning the leg and foot outward (courtesy wikipedia.org)
Stretching the piriformis is key when having lower back pain or sciatica pain.
Life Insider has compiled this guide to the best stretches for the piriformis:
Sunday, Feb 9th we are offering a class for Partner Massage, learn skills and techniques to give the best massage to your partner. Cost is $30.00 per couple; space is limited so register today.
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