Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

Spring 2024 • 19

The study’s findings showed a significant reduction in pain, suggesting that massage therapy could help reduce post-laparoscopic shoulder pain. Real Results: Success Stories of Massage Therapy for Pain Relief Back in January of 2018, Durrence had a 38-year-old pediatric occupational therapist client come in with an L1 compression fracture after a fall. The client had a kyphoplasty―a procedure for treating vertebral compression fractures that uses an inflated balloon to restore bone height followed by an injection of bone cement into the vertebral body―performed two months after the fall. Her back was now in complete spasm after being bedridden for weeks and from the strain of the surgery. “I knew that I didn’t want to put direct hard pressure on the area, so in collaboration with the client I came up with some techniques that would release the muscles from one side while having her move the opposite side,” Durrence says. “Five and a half years later, she works full-time with minimal pain while maintaining the results with monthly massage, yoga and some Pilates.” Jobe works with a lot of clients who need help managing back pain during pregnancy. “Many seek my help to alleviate lower back

The low back includes the lumbar spine (composed of five vertebrae).

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pain during pregnancy. The hormonal changes, fluid retention and shifts in their center of gravity often make pregnancy an exceptionally uncomfortable experience,” she says. “Numerous clients have shared that their weekly massages are the only time they find any physical comfort during their pregnancy. Many have also expressed that they only sleep well after their massage sessions.”

References 1. Linaker CH, Walker. “Bone K. Shoulder disorders and occupation.” Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Jun;29(3):405-23 2. Tamartash H, Bahrpeyma F, Mokhtari Dizaji M. “Comparative effect of lumbar myofascial release with electrotherapy on the elastic modulus of lumbar fascia and pain in patients with non-specific low back pain.” J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022 Jan;29:174-179. 3. Chen PC, Wei L, Huang CY, Chang FH, Lin YN. “The Effect of Massage Force on Relieving Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Int J Environ Res Public Health. 4. Çelik MS, Sönmezer E, Acar M. “Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and myofascial release techniques in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.” Somatosens Mot Res. 2022 Jun Dec;39(2-4):97-105. 5. Mottahedi M, Shamsi M, Babani SF, Goli S, Rizevandi P. “Comparing the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and massage therapy on post laparoscopic shoulder pain: a randomized clinical trial.” BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023 Sep 28;24(1):764.

DEEPER DIVE For more in-depth content on how massage therapy can relieve low-back pain, consider AMTA’s continuing education course “Lower Back Pain and the Role of Massage Therapy,” available at amtamassage.org/learn.

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