For years, my lower back pain was like an unwanted roommate—always there, making even the simplest things uncomfortable. Sitting at my desk for more than an hour? Pain. Standing in the Tube during rush hour? Pain. Even bending to pick up a dropped pen could send a sharp twinge shooting through my spine.
Like many people living in London, I blamed my lifestyle. Hours hunched over a laptop, carrying heavy shopping bags, and commuting in awkward positions were taking their toll. I tried stretching, over-the-counter pain relief, and even a new mattress, but nothing gave me lasting results.
I’d always thought of massage as a treat for stress rather than a solution for pain, but one particularly bad week, I decided to book a session just to see if it would help. I went in with low expectations and walked out feeling like a different person.
From the moment the therapist started working on my lower back, hips, and glutes, I realised how much tension I’d been holding there. She explained that lower back pain is often linked to tightness in surrounding muscles—especially in the hips and hamstrings—which can pull on the spine and create discomfort. By loosening these areas, massage can help relieve pressure on the lower back itself.
The difference was immediate. I felt lighter, more mobile, and for the first time in months, I could walk home without that familiar ache creeping in.
Encouraged, I booked regular sessions. Over the weeks, my range of motion improved, and the pain that had once been constant started showing up less and less. The therapist also gave me simple stretches to do between appointments, which made the effects last even longer.
Here’s why massage works so well for lower back pain:
- Releases muscle tension: Targeted work on the lower back, hips, and surrounding muscles helps reduce tightness that can cause or worsen pain.
- Improves circulation: Increased blood flow speeds up the body’s natural healing processes.
- Supports posture correction: Looser muscles make it easier to sit and stand in healthier positions, reducing strain on the spine.
- Reduces stress: Since stress can increase muscle tension, the relaxation benefits of massage also help prevent future flare-ups.
For me, massage has gone from being a “once-in-a-while” treat to a vital part of my self-care routine. I still have the occasional twinge—especially after long workdays—but now I know exactly how to get back on track before the pain spirals out of control.
If lower back pain is making your days harder than they need to be, don’t wait until it gets worse. Massage might not just relieve your symptoms—it could help address the root cause, so you can move through life with more comfort and freedom.
For me, it wasn’t just about easing pain—it was about getting my life back, one session at a time.
