Things You'll Need:
- Hand-held massager
- Massage therapist
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Step 1
Use only massage therapists who received their training from schools accredited by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and have completed 500 hours of training (see Resources below). Check with your state to see if it requires that massage therapists be licensed as well.
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Step 2
Consider a sports massage to take away back pain caused by exercise. Sports massage techniques promote flexibility and relieve deep muscle strains and tightness.
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Step 3
Use reflexology for back pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, skeletal abnormalities or disease. Reflexology is less invasive and less strenuous than many other types of massage. It may not even require direct contact with the site of the back pain.
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Step 4
Try a massage that alternates hot and cold rubs to alleviate back pain caused by sprains. Massages broken up by steam or dips in the hot tub may also be effective ways to reduce back pain.
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Step 5
Have a deep tissue massage for acute back pain resulting from a strain. Be prepared for an aggressive massage designed to liberate muscle fiber and detoxify the muscle tissue.
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Step 6
Invest in a hand-held home massager to take away minor back pain. A hand-held massager will not provide all the benefits of a massage from a therapist, but it can be a quick temporary fix.
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Step 7
Look into alternative massage therapies. Reiki, a Japanese form of massage, involves using the hands to move energy throughout the body. Rolfing is an intensive series of massages designed to strengthen the body and put it into proper alignment.
