Because of a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and uncomfortable shoes, the problem with the back and core becomes more frequent. People suffering from back problems have difficulty performing day-to-day tasks. This can decrease your quality of life significantly and make you more prone to depression because of chronic pain. While pain medications can relieve the pain, they don’t eliminate the root of the cause. 

One of the best ways to relieve pain and improve overall well-being is a massage. Apart from back pain, massage therapy can improve different aspects of your health. Below are 6 common types of massage and their benefits for your health. Don’t miss them to stay on top of your overall health. 

1. Trigger point therapy

Some injuries of muscles and connective tissues can produce trigger points. Trigger points can result in muscle strain, pain around the body, and frequent headaches. During trigger point therapy, the doctor applies pressure to these trigger points to alleviate the pain in the affected area and other areas of your body. 

Unlike classic massages, trigger point therapy affects deep into the fascial layer to release tension at the neuromuscular junction. This therapy can be somewhat painful, but it is highly effective against pain. 

2. Craniosacral therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle type of massage that can relax you and relieve pain. During the procedure, the therapist makes light contact with trigger points all along the body but usually focuses on the head, torso, knees, and feet. The common forms of interaction with trigger points include osmotherapy, bone-setting, and chiropractic work. Craniosacral massages can address chronic pain, headaches, chronic fatigue, and improve post-surgical recovery. 

While this therapy is good for physical disorders, it can also improve mental health issues. It is meant to relax the patient into a state of sacral harmony and can help people with post-traumatic stress disorder. 

3. Cupping therapy

Cupping therapy is a popular type of massage that can be dated back to 3000 BC. There are three types of cupping massage that include dry cupping, fire cupping, and wet cupping. Dry cupping is the most popular type of cupping therapy. During the procedure, the best physical therapist uses cups to create a small area of pressure underneath the skin. This helps to increase the blood flow to the affected area and provide short-term pain relief. 

Cupping therapy is safe and can be performed on nearly anyone. This procedure is perfect for people suffering from pain in soft tissues and tight muscles. 

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a type of trigger point therapy that originated in China. The therapist uses needles that are inserted in special points to promote the proper flow of energy in your body. Chinese doctors believe that energy blockages at certain points of your body cause a variety of health problems. By using these needles, the therapist can reach the deep fascial layers. This helps to promote blood flow to the affected area and boost the self-healing properties of your body. 

This type of therapy is commonly used to treat lower back pain, shoulder stiffness, knee pain, muscle stiffness, and joint pains. Acupuncture is relatively safe and doesn’t have serious side effects. For this reason, everyone without an aversion to needles can benefit from this therapy. 

5. Swedish massages

Swedish massages, also known as classic massage, are probably the most popular type of massage therapy. The basic principles of this massage include sliding and gliding, kneading, rhythmic tapping, vibration, and friction with fibers. This massage can help you relieve the pain of different severities and relax muscles. Swedish massages have been shown to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and joint stiffness. It can help reduce stress levels as well. 

A typical session of a Swedish massage lasts on average between 30-90 minutes. Depending on your symptoms, the therapist can suggest longer sessions of the massage.