Treating Low Back Pain with Massage, Stretching, and Red Light Therapy: A Holistic, Evidence-Based Approach

Low back pain is a leading cause of missed work, discomfort, and chronic dysfunction. It's estimated that up to 80% of adults will experience it at some point in their lives. While pain medication may provide temporary relief, it rarely addresses the root of the issue.

As a practitioner focused on whole-body care, I approach low back pain with a combination of massage therapy, guided stretching, myofascial work, Reiki, and increasingly, red light therapy—each supported by science and clinical outcomes.

Massage Therapy: A Core Treatment for Low Back Pain

Massage is more than relaxation—it’s a therapeutic intervention. Studies show that massage therapy can reduce both the intensity and duration of low back pain episodes by improving circulation, releasing muscle adhesions, and regulating the nervous system.

A 2020 Cochrane Review found that massage therapy resulted in significant short-term improvements in pain and function when compared to placebo or no treatment (Furlan et al., 2021). It can also reduce the need for pain medications and improve quality of life outcomes.

Key benefits of massage for low back pain:

• Releases muscular and fascial tension

• Improves blood flow to the lumbar region

• Enhances parasympathetic nervous system tone

• Reduces pain signaling through sensory modulation

Stretching and Mobility: Rebuilding Functional Movement

Targeted stretching can help relieve tension and restore mobility to the hips, pelvis, and spine—all areas that contribute to low back mechanics.

According to a 2023 review in Healthcare, stretching exercises improve lumbar flexibility, reduce pain, and enhance functional outcomes in chronic low back pain patients. Static and dynamic stretches—when integrated into bodywork sessions or home care plans—can help maintain gains made on the table.

I often guide clients through breath-centered, gentle stretches that support the work we do manually, giving the body tools to move and stabilize more naturally between sessions.

Red Light Therapy: A Growing Tool for Musculoskeletal Pain

Red and near-infrared light therapy (often called photobiomodulation) is an emerging, non-invasive treatment for pain and inflammation. It works by stimulating the mitochondria in cells to enhance tissue repair and reduce oxidative stress.

Clinical studies have shown that red light therapy can significantly reduce low back pain, improve range of motion, and even modulate inflammation markers.

A 2021 meta-analysis in Pain and Therapy concluded that low-level laser therapy (which includes red light) “provides clinically meaningful relief of chronic low back pain” and may be especially useful when combined with manual therapies (Chung et al., 2021).

Reiki and Energetic Balance

Although Reiki works on a more subtle level, it can complement physical interventions by calming the nervous system and supporting emotional well-being. When the body is in a parasympathetic state, healing becomes more accessible, both physically and energetically.

Clients often describe a noticeable release of stress, deeper sleep, and less muscle guarding after sessions that incorporate Reiki or intentional energetic touch.

My Approach: Treating the Whole Person

Whether you’re dealing with acute muscle strain, chronic holding patterns, or tension rooted in emotional stress, treatment should reflect the complexity of your body and story.

At Intention Wellness, sessions are tailored to what your body needs~ maybe that’s deep tissue and stretching, maybe it’s gentle fascial work and red light therapy, or maybe it’s simply a safe space to unwind.

If low back pain is part of your life right now, know that help doesn’t have to come in the form of medications or quick fixes. Your body is capable of healing, sometimes it just needs the right kind of support.

Scientific References

1. Furlan, A. D., Giraldo, M., Baskwill, A., Irvin, E., & Imamura, M. (2021). Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001929.pub4

2. Chung, H., Dai, T., Sharma, S. K., Huang, Y. Y., Carroll, J. D., & Hamblin, M. R. (2021). The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy. Pain and Therapy, 10(1), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-021-00217-5

3. Yahia, A., Ghroubi, S., Chikh, A. B., Elleuch, M., & Habibech, S. (2023). Stretching programs for chronic low back pain: a narrative review. Healthcare, 11(3), 392. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030392

4. Field, T. (2016). Massage therapy research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 24, 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.04.005

5. Midilli, T. S., & Eser, I. (2019). Effects of Reiki on pain and anxiety in women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 17(2), 93–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2019.01.001