Training & Nutrition - Back Massage Therapy

I have had upper back muscle problems for a few years. Mostly it is tightness and pain. After many X-rays and finally an MRI my doctor said to try regular back massage therapy. The purpose would be to loosen up tight muscles and to stretch muscles that have shortned over time from pulled muscles and spasms.
Has anyone done this and does it work ?

It's just wonderful and very helpful whenever I can get stoker to trade massages. Since one wants to do it soon after finishing the ride, a handy member of the appropriate sex is helpful. Be that as it may, regular professional sessions would help, though they cost money and may not be as much fun. One might also read this comment as a plug for tandeming.

OTOH, I think my more effective therapies have been cross-training by hiking and backpacking, more saddle time over the years, better bike fit and oddly, better gloves. Also, simply taking several days off when back pain got bad has been very effective. That sometimes happens when I ramp up mileage in the spring. If you haven't already made use of one, a professional bike fitter can be a really good idea. Meaning a specialist, a physiologist, not just some guy at your LBS. Also, weight training has been helpful for me. Lat pulls, horizontal rows, dumbell presses, shrugs.

A foam roller does wonders as well.

Yes. I live with a condition that affects my lower back. I highly recommend a few things:

$60 chair type back massager that you can adjust the height of from brookstone

$30 long handled back massager with two hard round knobs - you lie down face down and use the long handle to hit the spots

20 minute hot bath soaks with lots of epsom salt - but to hit your upper back you'll have to sit way down low with your knees up

occasional professional massages - this can be expensive - but a professional really does a nice job! don't even think about asking a girlfriend or spouse to help with this - they just can't do it, or won't do it, etc

in a pinch you can sue tylenol PM but don't drive

there are specific muscle relaxant medications by prescription, but only use those in an emergency, such as if you are bed ridden and can't move. I haven't needed that for 4 years.

do you have access to a hot -tub whilrpool? a real one not the kind with bubbles - you need the strong water jets - it's worth joining a gym just for that

good luck!

It's just wonderful and very helpful whenever I can get stoker to trade massages. Since one wants to do it soon after finishing the ride, a handy member of the appropriate sex is helpful. Be that as it may, regular professional sessions would help, though they cost money and may not be as much fun. One might also read this comment as a plug for tandeming.

OTOH, I think my more effective therapies have been cross-training by hiking and backpacking, more saddle time over the years, better bike fit and oddly, better gloves. Also, simply taking several days off when back pain got bad has been very effective. That sometimes happens when I ramp up mileage in the spring. If you haven't already made use of one, a professional bike fitter can be a really good idea. Meaning a specialist, a physiologist, not just some guy at your LBS. Also, weight training has been helpful for me. Lat pulls, horizontal rows, dumbell presses, shrugs.

Ummmmmmmmmmm..... kkkkaaayyyy... what the heck is "a handy member of the appropriate sex"?

I get regular massages. I'm not caring what member of what sex massages me, as long as I get a good deep tissue massage for the time specified that I've paid for. A good massage therapist is gonna ask for a medical history and give you a quick once over and get you stretched out on the table.

I'd also suggest some good stretch exercises you can do on a regular basis. I swear, people just don't stretch hardly at all, and they just don't stretch enough anyways. There's a great book called "Stretching", by Bob Anderson. Bob is a good friend of Friel and Edwards, and has the best book on stretching that I've ever seen. Nothing has ever come close.

koffee