Maintaining Good Health Even When You're Busy

Four Spa Treatments That Help Relieve Back Pain

by Caitlin Obara

You might not consider a day spa someplace that you would visit when you're looking for pain therapy. However, day spas offer a variety of different services, some of which could help ease your back pain. Learn what type of spa services may help reduce back pain and why.

Massage

Having a traditional back massage is a great way to relieve back pain. Massages help alleviate muscle spasms and relieve the tension in your muscles, providing you with immediate pain relief. Keep in mind, different massage types provide you with different benefits. To alleviate back pain consider these massage types:

  • Hot stone massages use water-heated stones to increase blood circulation and relax your muscles
  • Deep tissue massages apply deeper pressure along the grain of your muscles
  • Swedish massages combine long, kneading strokes with rhythmic, tapping strokes along the top layer of your muscles

Acupuncture

Acupuncture, the Chinese art of healing, is performed by inserting very thin, sterile needles into your body's Meridian points. It's believed that when the needles are inserted into your body in specific places it stimulates the nervous system, releasing pain-altering chemicals into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. The guidelines written by the American Pain Society and American College of Physicians suggest acupuncture as an alternative therapy for people suffering from chronic low back pain.

Hot Tub Hydrotherapy

When it comes to relieving back pain, hot tubs are valuable tools. Hot tub hydrotherapy combines heat, buoyancy, and massage to reduce muscle tightness, relieve muscle and joint pain, and loosen muscle tension. During a hot tub hydrotherapy session, the heat from the hot tub helps open up your blood vessels and increases your circulation, providing you with immediate pain relief, while the water lifts the weight of your body slightly so that your muscles can relax, and the hot tub's jets massage the muscles in your back.

Acupressure

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture. However, needles aren't used during the treatment. Instead, pressure is applied to specific parts of your back to relieve your pain. Pressure can be applied by hand. However, the elbow and special devices are also often used.

The fact is, day spas offer more than treatments for your skin, hair, and nails. Many spas offer services designed to give customers relief from chronic back pain. So, take some time to talk to your doctor to see if there are any specific spa services that could benefit you.

For more information, contact a local spa like Changes Of Cherry Creek/ Denver's Day Spa.

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