Find out how to incorporate massage into your back pain treatment with these expert tips.

1. How does massage treatment help relieve back pain?
Each time you strain or pull a muscle, small tears form in the muscle fibers, says Davis Reyes, a physical therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

When they heal, scar tissue forms in hard lines and doesn't necessarily conform to the existing muscle. These can interfere with muscle function, and massage can remedy that, he says.

"Massage works on these soft-tissue injuries to actually work out that scar," Reyes adds.

This helps the muscles work more efficiently and can improve the success of strengthening or stretching routines.

Another benefit is increased blood flow to the area, which speeds the healing process, says Jaclyn Bonder, M.D., instructor and director of women's health at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

2. How should I choose a massage therapist?
First, ask for referrals from your doctor or physical therapist. Then check online resources, such as the American Massage Therapy Association ^[1].

Checking qualifications can be tricky because licensing requirements vary by state – and some, such as Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Idaho and Wyoming, have no requirements. Most licensed massage therapists have at least one year of formal training, chiropractor Schneider says.

But more important is how therapists respond to patients, and the best way to assess that is to ask your friends and family for referrals, he adds.

Then, when you're scheduling an appointment, "ask massage therapists questions about their training, experience and methods," Schneider says.