“You should also be careful if you’re on long-term medication such as steroids,” he added. “I advise these patients who want to be massaged to speak to their doctors first.”
What about your habit of cracking your own neck or back to ease the stiffness there? A study in the Journal Of The American Medical Association found that pain in the lower back is only momentarily relieved by cracking the back, and wouldn’t add up to any significant improvements.
It’s also not a good idea to be constantly cracking your neck, according to a Healthline article: “Cracking your neck too forcefully can pinch the nerves in your neck. Cracking your neck too hard can also strain the muscles around your joints and the joints themselves. When your muscles or joints become strained, moving your neck can feel like a chore.”
The article also cautioned against overdoing the neck cracking as it can over-stretch your ligaments permanently, and increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis.
CAN AGE INCREASE OUR RISK OF INJURIES?
“Age can certainly be an issue because elderly patients tend to have more medical conditions such as osteoporosis or they can have issues with the blood vessels, where the blood vessels are more vulnerable to injury,” said Adj Asst Prof Tan.
ARE CERTAIN TYPES OF MASSAGES SAFER?
“Not to my knowledge,” said Adj Asst Prof Tan.
A good rule of thumb, he said, is to avoid sudden forces to the neck. You’ll also do well to avoid rotational movements that go past your neck’s and back’s natural ranges of movement.
“You should tell your masseuse that you don’t want any sudden or forceful movements,” he said.
