Lower Back Massage

A Lower Back Massage is a hands-on therapeutic intervention designed to relieve pain, muscle spasm, and tightness affecting the lumbar region. It is widely used to support healing, restore movement, and decrease discomfort for people experiencing low back pain from strain, injury, or chronic conditions.​

Signs & Symptoms

• Localized pain, stiffness, or aching in the lumbar region

• Muscular tension or spasm in the lower back, hips, and sometimes thighs

• Restricted movement (bending, twisting, standing, walking)

• Pain aggravated by certain postures, activities, or prolonged sitting

• Referred pain in gluteals, thighs, or posterior hip in chronic cases.​

Contraindications

• Avoid massage over acute injury, open wounds, infection, or recent surgery

• Do not treat during acute inflammatory episodes or with unexplained severe pain—refer for medical evaluation​

• Exercise caution in osteoporosis, bleeding disorders, or suspected nerve compression (sciatica/red flag symptoms)

• Referral indicated if pain radiates, worsens progressively, or presents with neurological signs (weakness, numbness, incontinence).​

Assessment

• Take a thorough history of pain onset, duration, aggravating/relieving factors, and past injury

• Palpate lumbar and surrounding regions for tightness, trigger points, tenderness, and guarding

• Assess posture, hip and leg flexibility, and core stability

• Monitor for functional limitations (e.g., walking, rising from seating, sleep disruption)

• Screen for any “red flag” indicators requiring medical or physiotherapy referral.​

Treatment

• Employ Swedish massage (effleurage, petrissage), deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release—adapted to tissue tolerance​

• Focus on lumbar muscles, gluteals, hips, and sometimes the legs for comprehensive effect​

• Use gentle to moderate pressure, progressing as tissue and client comfort allow

• Target muscle spasms and contracture with stretching and mobilization when tolerated

• Combine massage with ergonomic advice and gentle core activation for best outcomes​

• Frequency varies from acute daily sessions to maintenance monthly treatments.​

Self Care

• Perform gentle stretching of lower back, hips, and hamstrings daily​

• Use heat packs or warm baths to ease muscle tension and promote blood flow

• Maintain regular low-impact physical activity (walking, swimming) for mobility

• Modify posture and work habits to avoid prolonged static positions—implement ergonomic changes

• Practice core strengthening and stability exercises as recommended

• Apply self-massage techniques with a foam roller or massage ball for persistent tension.