Tag Archives: Understanding

Clinical Massage Treatment Hip Tension And Low Back Pain

Hip Tension And Low Back Pain

Self Care, Understanding Pain Sources, , , , , , , , ,

There is no doubt of the relation of hip tension and low back pain. As a rule when a client complained of low back pain, hip tension is almost always present. In this article we’ll be looking at how hip tension and low back pain are related. Additionally, steps you can take to reduce both.

Hip Tension

In my years as a clinical massage therapist I have had hundreds of clients see reduction or outright elimination of low back pain. By and large majority of them get amazing results from releasing the tension in their hips. I’m going to let you in on a secret. The legs and the back are not two separate parts. They work together 100% of the time. There are muscles in your hips that directly relate to and release muscles in your low back. In fact there are multiple hip and leg muscles that can have positive effects for low back pain.
To stop low back pain the best is to find a clinical massage therapist that understands myofascial, trigger point and muscle belly release techniques. On the other hand regular relaxation massage will not help you. Your massage session should be 1 hour minimum and focus strictly on your low back and hips. That means no fru-fru, oily slip and slide. A good clinical massage therapist with use very little oil, if any at all.

Read More On Hip Tension >


Topical Balms Are Only Temporary. Seek Clinical Massage.

Hip Tension and Low Back Pain And How They Relate

To truly understand low back pain you need to learn a little anatomy. Getting a basic grasp of what is going on will help you understand hip tension and low back pain and how they relate. In short, all of the muscles in your low back, hips and thighs attach to each other in one way or another. Furthermore, there are muscles such as Illio-Psoas that directly attach to your thigh bone (Femur) and you lower back vertebrae (L3,L4,L5). Additional back pain contributing muscles are Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Maximus, Piriformis and Quadratus Lumborum. These muscles are just a few of the key players that cause low back pain. What ties them all together is your pelvis or Illium. Here are some gif’s and illustrations to help you understand.

Psoas Major Muscle Low Back Pain Cause Rotating Anatomy
This is Psoas Major. You can easily see how the muscle attaches to the lower vertebrae, the pelvis and the thigh bone.

Gluteus Maximus Hip Tension Pain Cause
This is Gluteus Maximus. Here you can see how it attaches to the Sacrum, the Pelvis and the Femur
Gluteus Medius Causes Hip Tension Low Back Pain
This is Gluteus Medius. You can see how it attaches at the Pelvis and Femur.

Quadratus Lumborum Muscle Causes Low Back Pain
The bright red is Quadratus Lumborum. You can see how it attaches at the each Vertebrae and at the Pelvis.

Why These Photos Are Important

There is a huge reason why these photos are important. The above photos show you how your low back, pelvis and hips are all connected with muscles. Each muscle relies on another to function correctly. If one or more of the muscles are not functioning correctly the other muscles will try to compensate. The compensation is what generally leads to pain.

The Hips Are The Hub

Imagine the hips are the hub connecting your lower body to your upper body. The muscles that attach at the hips and pelvis are some of the strongest muscles in your body. Thus they can do a lot of damage especially when it comes to low back pain. For this reason releasing hip tension is an important step to low back pain recovery.

Self Care Technique

With the topical treatments below, use this effective self care technique to help release hip tension and low back pain.

You Will Need:

3 Pillows
Relaxing Music/Guided Meditation With Headphones

You Will Do:

1.) Apply topical treatment cream or gel.
2.) Put on loose fitting clothing such as Thai Fishing Pants or Loose Yoga Pants.
3.) Lay face up on your bed with your legs spread apart as far as you can comfortably get them.
4.) Place one pillow under each thigh just BELOW your buttocks.
5.) Place a pillow under your low back if needed.
6.) Put on your headphones with relaxing music or meditation guidance.
7.) Relax.

What Will Happen:

During your relaxation session you will begin to notice release of tension. Next, you may experience non-painful twitches as your muscles release. In fact, this is normal and very beneficial. The topical treatments will assist in relaxing the muscles in your hips and low back. The relaxing music or guided meditation you use will assist in quieting your mind. It is important that you turn off your thoughts to allow your body to self heal.

Positional Release Technique

This self care exercise is know as a Positional Release Technique. By placing your body in a position where muscles are in a slackened or loose state, the muscle will naturally reprogram itself and release. I strongly recommend a Guided Relaxation Meditation with this technique because you will be guided on how to properly relax. In my opinion guided meditations are a necessary part of self healing.

[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” cart=”y” identifier=”B01IPSWSVW” key=”image” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”stoplbp2-20″]
[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” cart=”y” identifier=”B01AVWQ8G6″ key=”image” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”stoplbp2-20″]
[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” cart=”y” identifier=”B01MUSDZHA” key=”image” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”stoplbp2-20″]

Non Invasive Pain Healing

The Non invasive pain healing technique mentioned above is one of many that can help you self heal. At this point you should have a very basic understanding of hip tension and low back pain. As a result you’ll get amazing pain reduction from Positional Release. Please leave a comment with how you felt before and after using the technique. No doubt your comments will help future visitors.