Massage for Neck and Back Pain

A reader asks, "My husband and some of my friends are postal carriers and they are always saying that their backs, shoulders, and necks hurt. What type of massage should they get?"

There are many types of massage to choose from, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and shiatsu. There have been some promising studies on the use of massage to relieve back pain symptoms, but so far, one type of massage hasn't been shown to be more effective for back pain than another.

The decision should really depend on their preferences and what's convenient. Also, they may have partial insurance coverage for massage, but that can limit the types of massage they're able to choose from.

Other things to consider are seeing a doctor of chiropractic, signing up for yoga classes, or even getting a massage cushion for at home.

And finally, back and neck pain are not always just muscular. Your husband's family doctor should be aware of his symptoms to see if he needs further evaluation. Read my full answer: Massage for Neck and Back Pain?

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