Bad backs run in our family. My brother has gone through several surgeries in an attempt to correct issues with his back. My sister has several degenerated discs and after seeing what my brother has gone through with his back and all of his surgeries, she is reluctant to consider surgery as an option. As a result, there are days when she literally cannot stand up straight and the pain gets really intense. 

Because she is my sister, she hates to bother me, so she only calls me when it gets really bad. One of my goals this year is to get her on a regular massage schedule so that we can keep the really bad, crippling pain at bay.

When she gets a bad attack, she really doesn’t want anyone to touch her. The pain will start the lower right side of her back and it often radiates around to her stomach. The only way to really relieve the pain is to do a deep tissue massage. She moans a lot when I do this because it hurts. Knowing she is in pain, I work on her very carefully and I am as gentle as I can be, while still working our those spasms.

She always feels better after I massage her, work her muscles by gentle stretching and use essential oils on her as well. Sometimes it will take three or four sessions to really get things working again. Plus, I have to remind her not to sit at her desk all day.  I advise her to get up and gently stretch her back and legs, take a walk around the house, otherwise her back will start to lock up once again.

If you, or someone you love is dealing with back pain, I can help. Have them give me a call.

 

Valentina Boonstra, Massage Therapist