Back walking massage benefits are plentiful. A back walking massage is a type of therapeutic massage that involves the person being massaged lying face-down on a mat and raising their legs while the therapist applies pressure to the back. It’s also called “back walking” or “walking on the back”.
Back walkers are typically used for people with chronic pain in their lower backs, hips, buttocks, thighs and calves. They can be found at chiropractic clinics, physical therapy centres or as an in-home treatment.
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What is a massage?
A massage uses hands, fingers, thumbs and other parts of the body to knead or rub a person’s muscles with various movements. It may also involve pressing on certain points on the skin, known as acupressure, to relieve pain and improve circulation.
It can be performed by anyone who has been trained in massage therapy. Massages can be used to release tension and pain, relax the body, ease feelings of anxiety or stress. And improve circulation or stimulate blood flow by applying pressure on specific points that are believed to affect other parts of the body.
What is a back walking massage?
A back walking massage is a type of treatment that often lasts between 20-30 minutes. It can be done in the clinic or as an in-home service. Participants are fully clothed during this session.
And it consists of long strokes up and down the spine to relieve tension from the muscles. The therapist will also incorporate pressure on specific points on the back to release tension and pain.

How does it work?
A therapist will begin by asking a client if they are feeling any specific areas of discomfort or tightness in their muscles; they may apply deep pressure with one hand while using long strokes up and down the spine with an open palm on the other hand. They might also use cupping techniques on the back to release tension and pain.
What is Ashiatsu?
This is a massage technique that involves the therapist using their feet to apply deep pressure on various points of tension. Ashiatsu is designed to release tension in the muscles and fascia by applying pressure with a combination of long strokes, needle-like movements and circular motions.
History of back walking barefoot massage
Back walking is a type of barefoot massage that practitioners developed in the early 1900s. Back walkers believe it can help reset and realign your spine, which means you can move easier after just one session.
A back walking practitioner will use their hands or feet as pressure points on your body’s muscle groups, joints and ligaments.
It is believed that by applying pressure in this way, the back walker can help to release tension (pain) from those areas of your body; giving you relief from any stiffness or soreness for a period afterward. Back walking also focuses on improving circulation throughout your system as it uses gentle movements which stimulate the lymphatic system.
Benefits of a back walking massage
Back walking is a type of exercise that can improve your posture and strengthen the muscles in your back. The most common benefits of back walking massage:
- Relieves chronic pain: Back walking massage increases blood flow and releases tension in the muscles. This can help to relieve chronic pain.
- Improves posture: Back walks may improve posture by lengthening tight or shortened muscles; which forces them to retrain their natural length, shape, and tone.
- It improves range of motion: The feet and legs in back walking massage force the spine to twist and arch away from the pressure, which releases tight muscles surrounding it. This can improve flexibility by stretching those same ligaments more than when doing other exercises or classical massage techniques.
- Improved mood: Back walking massage benefits also include improving the person’s mental state; as they are likely to feel less stress and be in a more positive frame of mind.
- Better sleep: Back walkers often report feeling calmer before bed. Because their muscles are soothed and relaxed after doing this type of exercise.
- Reduces muscle tension: Back walking massage benefits can also help to reduce muscle tension.
- Decreases muscle spasms and stiffness – Reduces stress, anxiety, depression: This type of massage is a great way to decrease muscle spasms and stiffness and stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Resets the spine: Back walkers are also able to reset their spines with each step taken, which helps release tension from every vertebra in the body.
- Increases energy levels: Back walkers also report improved mood, increased energy levels, and reduced stress after the session. This is because these benefits all work together to release endorphins in the body associated with a feeling of happiness or well-being.
Would a back walking massage relieve back pain?
The answer to this question is not clear, as there are so many different factors that can contribute to your pain. The most common causes of back pain include:
- Poor posture and repetitive movements in the lumbar spine.
- Ligament tightness or muscle tension caused by an injury, overuse or a sudden movement.
- Arthritis, numbness or tingling in the back and legs from diabetic nerve damage.
- Back walking massage can relieve any tension that might be restricting blood flow to different areas of your body, which could help alleviate pain symptoms on its own
- While no specific scientific studies demonstrate a clear cause and effect relationship between back walking massage and relief from pain. It is still a good form of exercise that can help with posture.
- Back walking is also an excellent way to stretch your legs if you’re stuck at the computer all day long.
How to prepare for a back walking massage?
Make sure you are well hydrated. Drink plenty of water before and after the massage. Be comfortable: wear loose-fitting clothing, lie down on a mat or firm surface such as a carpeted floor. Do not eat right before your session.
How to perform back walking?
- Step with each foot in unison while keeping your back straight, arms at your side.
- The walking pace should be about the same as a normal walk (one foot is in contact with the ground, and then you step with the other).
- Perform slow back walks for about five minutes each session. Walk briskly for two to four minutes, followed by one minute of slower-paced steps.
- Back walks are also encouraged for the elderly. Elderly people may need to do two sets of five minutes per session. And then slow down with one minute in between each set.
Aftercare
Back walkers should always consult a professional therapist or doctor before starting the therapy, and proper balance is recommended. It’s important to have room for stretching out arms and legs on your back walking path during this exercise; so be sure there are no obstacles in the way.
When first beginning a program of back walking following a professional’s recommendations, a person should start with one session per day and gradually build up to two sessions before the end of the week.
Back walking is not recommended for pregnant women or those who suffer from back pain due to other causes.
Side effects of back walking massage
- Back walking can cause pain and muscle soreness if done incorrectly or too vigorously.
- A back massage could irritate discs in the spine or a pinched nerve; so it is important to consult with a doctor before starting this exercise regimen.
- If you are pregnant, it is recommended that only gentle pressure be applied while back walking.
- Back walkers with a spinal cord injury may experience painful muscle spasms and intense back pain, so it’s very important to consult an orthopaedic specialist before starting this type of massage therapy.
- Improper balance can cause some people to lose their footing or trip during the exercise, so caution is advised to have balance or vertigo conditions.
Conclusion
The back walking massage is an excellent way to relieve stress and tension in the body. This type of treatment can also help with various conditions, including headaches, insomnia, chronic pain, depression, anxiety disorders, and more.
It provides relief for many people who suffer from these types of ailments by breaking up adhesions on the fascia that cover muscles and loosening tight muscles themselves.
Learn more about how this therapy could work for you! If you have any questions or want to know if it’s right for your condition, please feel free to comment below!
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