Now I REALLY need a massage!!!

Q: After I receive a massage, inevitably my low back is very sore when I rise from the massage table. Why??

A: Before I answer this, I’d like to let everyone know that extensive research is really required, so, if anyone’s offering…oh, so to answer your question! One possibility could be that your psoas (hip flexor) is tight and your pelvis may be somewhat fixed in a post-tilted position. When you lie down on your stomach, the pelvis isn’t moving relative to your leg, so you have to extend your low back to lie flat (*ouch* on the lumbar vertebrae). I know a lot of people are sore in the low back when they sleep on their bellies. Ideally your hip flexion should cease when sleeping, but it is such an engrained pattern – especially because most people spend more hours sitting than they do lying down. For your next massage, try adding a small, thinly rolled blanket under the ASIS (front of the pelvis) to encourage your pubic symphysis to drop toward the table, decompressing your spine while your face down.

Or, you can quit your desk job, try to get hired on with a standing job (UPS or comedianne), and book a twice weekly quad massage. Sounds like you could use it!

Katy