Everything is connected when it comes to the muscles! An issue in one area may actually be causing pain in another.
For example, lower back pain can be the cause of a flare up in something called the Posterior Chain Pain Pattern. This chain consists of:
the gluteus maximus
lower back
the hamstring
These are some of the biggest muscle groups in our body, and most don't realize they are connected!
Tightness in the hips can be a cause of this pain pattern, and is attributed to being seated for long periods of time, like many of us are nowadays. Sitting for long periods of time, especially in the wrong position, can cause tightness and weakness in the posterior chain.
The Science Behind it: Both, muscle tightness and weakness, leads to a collection of waste within the muscle fibres due to a lack of blood flow through the restricted bands of muscle fibre. These points of ischemia and waste product are known as trigger points and are the main cause of muscular aches and pains. -From Joe Davis
The posterior chain muscles play a big role in everyday activities, such as picking something up off the ground, sitting down, standing from a seated position, and jumping. If you are experiencing pain while doing these activities, chances are you have a tight or weak posterior chain.
There is good news though: massage can help! Specifically: sports massage and deep tissue massage.
Sports Massage
A combination of Swedish, Deep Tissue and stretching techniques help prepare the body for optimal performance, recovery, or function well during training. Sports massage is good for people with injuries, chronic pain, or restricted range of motion.
Deep Tissue Massage
A massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes, and deep pressure on the contracted areas by either following or going across the fibers of the muscles, tendons and fascia. Neuromuscular is a massage modality that focuses on the treatment of trigger points. They are called trigger points because they refer pain to other parts of the body.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your lower back, one of our licensed massage therapists can help relieve this issue in the long term! Book at danadurand.com/rockville or danadurand.com/germantown
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