Massage Therapy…Relax Your Way To Relief!
One of the back pain relief methods that I subscribe to most is definitely massage therapy. Massage has a very nice list of benefits to your back, including:
1. Improving circulation throughout your body.
Massage can reduce ishemia (lack of blow flow), which improves the endurance of your muscles, and thus their job of stabilizing your lower back. Move blood flow and endurance equals less pain!
2. Reducing or eliminating adhesions and scar tissue.
Both adhesions and scar tissue in muscles cause decreased blood flow and decreases strength. Massage therapy is an effective method for reducing these that may be found in your back muscles.
3. Improving muscle imbalances.
Massage therapy, when applied to your unique muscle balance, is very effective. When you relax your “tight” muscles, such as the psoas (hip flexor) and quadriceps (front of thigh) can reduce anterior pelvic tilt.
Bottom line…..Massage Therapy = Less back pain!
–Sam Visnic
Ice vs. Heat, whats better for lower back pain?
The age old question, ice or heat?
Each of these therapeutic modalities has good benefits, but here are my rules for each:
Ice:
Ice is really good for acute injuries or inflammation. Ice serves to constrict blood vessels, therefore cut off inflammation. For example, if you just sprained an ankle, or twisted a knee, and it is in the initial stages of inflammation. In terms of using ice for your lower back, the only time I have seen it work well is for strains. So, for example if you lift too much and you feel like your back is starting to tighten up, and gets an achy, burning type of sensation, not really pain, but just tightness.
Heat:
Heat is my favorite choice for chronic pain. Once you are out of the inflammatory phase, most back pain is caused by a lack of blood flow, generally referred to as “ischemia”. Application of heat pads, or packs, causes dilation of blood vessels. This is an ideal therapeutic intervention for aching lower back pain It is also an excellent modality to use just prior to corrective stretching or exercises. muscles.
When Static Back Pain Exercises Cause Pain
Static exercises (where there is no movement, rather a specific position is being “held”) are commonly given at the beginning of any good back pain rehabilitation program, however, there is a time and a place for everything.
One of the times to not overuse static exercises is when your back pain is coming from ischemia. Ischemia essentially occurs when muscles are short, tight, lack proper blood flow, and are tender to light pressure.
When a muscle is not getting good blood flow, static exercises can cause “hit and miss” results. Meaning that sometimes when the exercises are performed, you may feel better, while at other times, the SAME exercises can make you feel worse!
In this situation, movement exercises are more appropriate.
Sam Visnic–
Testimonials
"If you've endured back pain issues, the helplessness, the frustration, the trips to the chiropractor, the osteopath, the recommendations for MRIs, the counter non-recommendations for the MRIs, the $1K+ bills, etc., etc. etc., If you're like me and you reached a point in your life where you declared, "there's got to be a better way!" then get Sam's educational DVDs and go the DIY route to taking control of your back issues. Thanks Sam." --Chris Wilson
“Sam, I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with your knowledge and ability as a healer. You are the only person I have seen who been able to get my back out of pain and keep it out of pain. After 28 years of practicing dentistry I thought that I would have to suffer the rest of my life with moderate to severe back pain. I came to you years ago in terrible back pain you relieved that and with regular preventive visits have kept me out of pain. I am also thankful for your nutritional knowledge. After suffering from terrible intestinal pain and all the tests you fixed it by a simple dietary supplement. “Doctor” refers to a healer and even though you don’t have the title you are one in my book. Many, Many Thanks!” --John Shafer, DDS
"Having someone like Sam to refer my patients to who is as comprehensive, brilliant and caring as he is makes my job so much easier!! I feel assured that my patients are in good hands and are going to get the results they so desperately want. I highly recommend Sam to anyone who is looking to resolve their back pain easily and effectively!” -Dr. Holly Lucille N.D., R.N.