Massage and Back Pain - How it Can Help Dad This Father's Day

There are many different kinds of back pain a man can get as he gets older. Some types of back pain come and go, while others are pretty constant. No one likes laying on heating pads all the time or taking strong pain relievers just to get through their day without back pain. Fortunately, most types of back pain can be treated with massage. If your dad is suffering from back pain, the gift of massage will do him wonders. It’s the best gift you can give him to show your love and care. Here are three types of back pain that respond wonderfully to massage.

1. Mechanical Pain

Also referred to as axial pain, this type of back pain is the most common. It is caused by strain in the muscles, which is easy to get after years of working a hard job of manual labor, sports, or after years of sitting at a desk using incorrect posture. Muscle pain like this responds beautifully to massage. Massage releases the tightness in the muscles, allowing them to relax and feel comfortable gain. Once your dad has one massage session for his mechanical back pain, he will definitely want to come back for more. You may even see him become a regular client of the massage therapist you chose for him!

2. Radiating Pain

This pain is dull, achy, and unpleasant. It also tends to move from location to location and changes its intensity quite frequently. This is very unlike mechanical pain, which tends to stay in one place and doesn’t change in intensity much, if at all. Radiating pain is sometimes called referred pain. It starts in one place, but radiates out to affect other locations. This pain can be caused by muscle injuries or spinal issues, such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease.

Massage can help ease this pain by finding the origin point and working on increasing blood flow to it. This has the dual effect of relaxing the painful area, while bringing healing blood to it so the injury can begin to get better. More than one massage therapy session is necessary for optimum results for this type of pain. If you get your dad in for one session, he’ll probably be back for more. Alternately, you could get him a package of several appointments to help heal his back pain.

3. Sciatica

This is a deep pain that usually radiates through an arm, leg, or other extremity. It can have numbness and tingling associated with it, in addition to a deep, piercing type of pain. The cause of sciatica pain is usually some kind of compression on a nerve in the back that causes pain to radiate down the limbs. Inflammation and injuries to a spinal nerve can also lead to sciatica pain, as can herniated discs.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and sometimes even surgery are prescribed to take care of sciatica. However, these can take a while to work, and some residual pain may always be there. Massage can help ease residual pain from sciatica, and make other treatments for it more effective.

We All Want the Best for Our Dads

You love your dad and want the best for him. If he has back pain of any kind, massage therapy can usually help. This Father’s Day, try giving him the gift of massage. Once he experiences the relief from back pain massage can offer, you will definitely win Daughter or Son of the Year as far as your dad is concerned.

Matrix Spa & Massage Customer Reviews

Yowza! I just had one of the best deep tissue massages I've ever had. Rachel was super personable and very expressive/willing to share her knowledge with me during my visit. I even got some stretching tips and I will be back just for her! The building was clean and I was super comfy the whole time. Very relaxing atmosphere, as well. My legs thank you!!
Sara Vermaas
Sara Vermaas
10:07 27 May 23
Richard H. is amazing - I’ve been going to him consistently for years now, and he’s officially the best. I love that his massages are very dynamic. He uses multiple methods to understand your body as opposed to just finding a spot and sticking to it. All staff are so professional and friendly, and each experience is so relaxing.
Taylor Christensen
Taylor Christensen
19:09 22 Apr 23
Our appts were on time, the therapists were knowledgeable & polite, & the facility was clean & tidy with a peaceful atmosphere.
Aaron Sutton
Aaron Sutton
14:09 26 Feb 23
This place was great!
Cristal Balcazar
Cristal Balcazar
20:12 21 Feb 23
First time going to a spa it's is one of the Best massage I've ever had! The staff is really friendly. Great service!
Jessica G.
Jessica G.
12:57 04 Feb 23
My husband took me here for my birthday and it was beyond amazing and so relaxing!
Meagan Graham
Meagan Graham
00:44 31 Jan 23
I have been coming to Matrix Spa & Massage for about 5 years now and can always get in quickly. I made an appointment yesterday because I woke up with an extremely sore neck from sleeping wrong which resulted in a massive migraine (that I often suffer from) and I left feeling clear headed and amazing! Frederick Salt provided one of the best massages I have ever received. He took the time to listen to my needs and put real attention and care into his practice. He has a ton of experience in massage therapy and I would recommend him to anyone needing a great massage that’s well worth the money.
Erika Pehrson
Erika Pehrson
17:45 19 Jan 23
This place is interesting and my therapist was definitely unique. He only massaged my upper body and told me to breathe into my collar bone and other instructions that I didn't quite know how to follow. My elbow was sore for a day or two after. I do think he was genuinely trying to help, but I would have liked more explanation of what was the rationale behind the movements and instructions. I also would have preferred to have received some work on the legs, but again 60 minutes sometimes isn't enough time I guess. Other members of group liked there experience more and described there massages very positively. The offer to return gratis by the owners in their comments below is a nice sentiment and a testament to how they care for their business. (Unfortunately I was visiting from out of town so cannot do so but again appreciate it)
Stephen Becker
Stephen Becker
11:47 25 Oct 22
Donna May rocked my world - the best massage I've gotten in salt lake so far and I've tried a few different spas at this point. The level of pressure, the intuition, the obvious mastery of her craft - cannot recommend her enough. She is a neck wizard.
Natalia Baykova
Natalia Baykova
13:41 26 Sep 22
Best Massage I have ever had. Donna May provided a relaxing and therapeutic massage. She always had the perfect amount of pressure and seemed to tailor the massage just to me. I will book with Donna May as often as I can. She is also such a kind person.
Kendrick Woolstenhulme
Kendrick Woolstenhulme
00:34 26 Sep 22
Well worth it!My wife and I were needing time to unwind and relax, I bought the Emerald Package, it was well worth the money! The amount of time and detail the staff took us was amazing. We left feeling relaxed and ready to tackle the world again. We are going to be coming back. The spa downstairs was amazing, what a way to finish off the night after a massage. Thank you for making our night!
C C
C C
15:57 22 Jul 22
There are so many good things to say about this place. The biggest shout out to Donna May who gave me the best deep tissue massage I’ve ever had in my life. Repeat: the BEST deep tissue massage I’ve ever had IN MY LIFE. The price was $95 for an hour.Other pros: they got me in on a Sunday.The facility is very clean.They have optional spa upgrades (see photos).Cons: They have this required form where you have to fill out medical information. I don’t like providing my medical information and it wasn’t necessary for this type of appointment.The booking process could be simpler but it’s not a make or break.Overall, I had a nice time and look forward to booking with Donna May in the future.
Quaceé Dorby
Quaceé Dorby
08:20 19 Jul 22
Donna, Jackie and Juiletta were amazing!!! Loved all of it worth every penny!!!!
Nique Mower
Nique Mower
23:31 16 Jul 22
Able to get appointments quickly, wonderful massages and the whole hydrotherapy downstairs was amazing
Christina R.
Christina R.
20:34 03 Jul 22
My mom and I did the mother and daughter package and overall it was a really awesome experience! The place was under construction but they were able to accommodate our needs, the only downside is I never even knew our massage therapists names and I am kinda bummed about not being able to utilize the hot tub or sauna but I guess that means I’ll just have to come back another time! (:
Kamerra H
Kamerra H
15:48 23 May 22
I had the best deep tissue massage of my life there, Richard is the best therapist! I highly recommend him for sore muscles and back problems.
Viktoriya Semeykina
Viktoriya Semeykina
03:08 30 Apr 22
I love this place, I recommend this place to everyone
masterartist04
masterartist04
00:14 29 Apr 22
Excellent massage for myself and my husband. It was my first massage and it was a pleasant experience
S Havens
S Havens
20:58 24 Apr 22
Richard gave an amazing massage!
Mandy Britt
Mandy Britt
03:15 02 Apr 22
Here at Matrix massage, Rachel was extremely skilled and attentive to my lower back issues. Fantastic massage, just the right pressure and incredible...
Richard S.
Richard S.
14:55 14 Feb 22
I have been here 3 times now and have done packages and massages. Always a good experience.
Emma Slikker
Emma Slikker
14:22 01 Feb 22
A delicious sanctuary. I felt the worries of the week being worked out of my body. Richard was my “ Sensei” masseuse educating me on muscle connections and guidance on how to release tension. This is now my spiritual hideaway once a month.
Dolores Medina
Dolores Medina
19:38 12 Dec 21
A little pricey, but always a great job. Definitely worth it.
Janet Cook
Janet Cook
16:52 09 Nov 21
FrIendly staff, great massage
Mouse kowitts
Mouse kowitts
03:40 04 Oct 21
Had a massage with Donna the other day. I learned a lot, mainly that I should do it mote often. Donna took me on an excellent journey to the land of Awesomesauce.
John S
John S
00:29 06 Sep 21
I just had the best massage I've ever had from Rachel K. She really helped fix a lot of the abuse I've done to my body through a heavily active lifestyle. Thank you!!
Seth Walsh
Seth Walsh
23:48 03 Sep 21
Amazing therapists. I love their hydro circuit. sauna has helped my pain in so many ways. If you're going to come here and get a massage definitely book a...
Donna May L.
Donna May L.
14:40 03 Sep 21
My first time visiting Matrix and I somehow booked the wrong service, but I'm not even mad about it! (I booked Thai massage online but when I got there,...
Kelly C.
Kelly C.
15:58 07 Aug 21
Excellent care and customer service. Donna May and Rachel were awesome! Highly recommend.
Mike Black
Mike Black
01:31 26 Jul 21
This spa was amazing! A group of us went there this past Friday for a Bachelorette Party! This is the only spa in SLC that has any packages or deals for a...
Brynn P.
Brynn P.
11:09 13 Aug 18