With a global pandemic dominating the majority of 2020, many of us have been forced to find alternative spaces to accommodate working from home. That means a lot of working at the kitchen counter, from the couch in the living room - and for some of us that means quickly purchased makeshift office furniture... hardly ergonomic or healthy for our spine alignment. With the colder winter months around the corner, many of us are now unable to find the relief of going outside, or hitting the gym- which translates directly to experiencing back problems without many viable solutions.

While sitting, you assume a static posture that increases stress in your shoulders, neck, arms and back. It increases pressure on the discs of your spine and tension in your back muscles. Our tendency is to hunch our shoulders and neck forward, curve our backs, and slouch. We may feel like it is a relaxed position, but actually are overstretching our spinal ligaments and can damage the fundamental structure of our spine. Adjusting your posture is recommended, but with so many other distractions, it isn’t always easy to remember to adjust yourself correctly, or not let your shoulders dip from time to time. So what can we do?

A professional message can help back pain significantly. A trained therapist can target muscles that are strained, and control them at their source, providing quick and long-lasting relief. Working with a professional over time actually helps your body alignment naturally, effectively helping your posture without being tediously aware of it. The two major muscles affected in your lower back are the quadratus lumborum and the gluteus medius. Both are extremely important to stabilize and support the weight being placed on your lower spine and hips. Being seated for long amounts of time can be extremely detrimental to these muscles causing strain, fatigue and decreased mobility over time.

Massage therapy can reduce that pain, and help to heal lower back problems long term. Speak with a massage therapist who is well-trained and versed in these back issues, they can effectively work with you to reduce pain, heal injury, and take proactive measures to more enjoyable, pain-free living. Ask about a Swedish massage, Sports message, and Deep tissue options for the best results!