How Registered Massage Therapy Helps Relieve Chronic Back and Neck Pain

Chronic back pain and neck pain are among the most common and disabling complaints people face today — whether it’s low back pain, mid back pain, sore neck, or the after-effects of a neck injury. If you’re looking for lasting relief, especially here in Burnaby, massage therapy could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

At Soma Burnaby we specialise in registered massage therapy (RMT) for back pain and neck pain, delivered by experienced massage therapists in Burnaby. In this article, we'll unpack how RMT works, why it’s effective for back & neck issues, and how you can benefit from it.

What kinds of back and neck pain can massage therapy help with?

Here’s a breakdown of common sources of discomfort:

• Low back pain – pain or stiffness in the lower spine that can limit bending, lifting, or sitting.

• Mid back pain – the region between the shoulder blades; less common but still very disruptive.

• Neck pain / sore neck – pain or stiffness in the cervical region, often from poor posture, repetitive strain, or neck injury.

• Back strains – muscle or ligament injuries in the back, often from over-use or sudden movements.

• Neck injury – whiplash, sports injury, or trauma that leads to chronic neck pain and restricted movement.

• Chronic spasm or tightness – persistent tension in the back or neck reducing mobility and comfort.

When any of these kinds of pain becomes ongoing, non-invasive treatments like RMT become valuable tools for relief.

What is Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)?

“Registered massage therapy” refers to a regulated form of manual therapy delivered by a licensed practitioner who has met provincial standards (such as here in British Columbia). RMTs are trained not just in relaxing massage, but in therapeutic assessment, treatment of soft-tissue dysfunction, injury rehab and pain-relief techniques.

In the context of back pain and neck pain, RMT does more than feel good — it addresses the root causes of pain, corrects dysfunction, and helps restore movement. When you search for “massage therapy for back pain” or “neck pain massage,” you want a certified RMT who understands anatomy, biomechanics and clinical massage.

How Massage Therapy Helps with Back Pain and Neck Pain

Let’s dive into the specific mechanisms by which RMT can relieve back and neck pain:

1. Reducing muscle tension & spasm

When you’re suffering from a sore neck or back strains, your muscles often go into protective spasm — tightening around joints to “stabilize” the area. Over time that tension becomes a pain source itself. An RMT uses techniques like soft-tissue release, deep tissue massage, trigger point work, and stretches to reduce that tension, increase circulation, and ease muscle stiffness.

2. Improving circulation & healing

Massage increases blood flow to the affected areas, delivering oxygen and nutrients while clearing waste products like lactic acid. That improved circulation supports healing in injured tissues (for example in a mid back strain or neck injury) and helps with recovery.

3. Restoring joint mobility & alignment

Chronic back pain and neck pain often lead to restricted joint movement — the spine segments get stuck or mis-aligned, muscles shorten, and posture deteriorates. RMT can include joint mobilization, stretching, and postural correction to restore more normal movement patterns, which helps relieve pain and prevents re-injury.

4. Addressing posture and ergonomic factors

In many cases, neck pain or low back pain arises from poor posture (e.g., long hours at a desk, looking down at a phone) or repetitive strain. A registered massage therapist will assess these factors, give hands-on treatment, and provide guidance on postural correction, ergonomics and home-care strategies (such as stretching, strengthening, or lifestyle tweaks) to make your relief longer lasting.

5. Reducing pain-related nerve irritation

Sometimes back pain or neck pain originates from nerve compression or inflammation (for example a bulging disc pressing on a nerve root, or tight muscles compressing a nerve in the neck). Massage therapy can reduce surrounding soft-tissue tension, relieve nerve irritation, and thereby reduce symptoms like pain, tingling or numbness.

Why Choose Soma Burnaby for Massage Therapy in Burnaby

Here in Burnaby, you have plenty of options — but at Soma Burnaby we believe we stand out for these reasons:

• Personalized care: We tailor each session of registered massage therapy to your unique condition — whether it's chronic neck pain, mid back pain, low back pain or a specific neck injury. We don’t use a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

• Friendly, professional team: Our massage therapists in Burnaby are experienced in therapeutic massage for back pain and neck pain, and they work closely with you to set goals, monitor progress and adjust treatment.

• Warm, supportive environment: At Soma Burnaby you’ll feel cared for, relaxed and heard. It’s not just a massage—it’s a wellness journey. Soma Burnaby

• Conveniently located in Burnaby: Easy to access, comfortable surroundings, and flexible booking times to fit your schedule.

• Focus on results: We aim not just to stop the pain today, but to help you move better, feel stronger and prevent the next episode of neck pain or back pain.

What to Expect from Your Registered Massage Therapy Session

When you book a session for back pain or neck pain, here’s what typically happens:

1. Initial assessment – Your RMT will ask about your pain history (e.g., how long you’ve had the sore neck or back strain, any neck injury, what makes it better/worse), your posture, movement, ergonomics and lifestyle.

2. Hands-on treatment – This may include soft-tissue work (massage of muscles, fascia), joint mobilization, stretching, trigger-point release, postural correction and education.

3. Home-care guidance – You’ll receive tailored advice to reinforce the session: simple stretches, strengthening exercises, ergonomic tips, and habits to avoid further strain (especially in the neck and back).

4. Follow-up & progress tracking – Effective relief often comes through several sessions, especially for chronic pain. Your therapist will monitor your response, adjust treatment plans and help you transition from pain to optimal function.

When Should You Book RMT for Back or Neck Pain?

If you’re dealing with any of the following, it’s time to consider registered massage therapy:

• Persistent neck pain or sore neck that hasn’t improved with rest or self-care.

• Back strains, low back pain or mid back pain that recurs or lasts more than a few weeks.

• Neck injury (for example from a fall, sports, whiplash) that continues to cause discomfort.

• Ergonomic/postural issues (desk work, mobile device use) causing nagging neck or back pain.

• A desire to not just mask symptoms, but to restore movement, prevent future flare-ups and support overall wellness.

Tips to Maximize the Benefits of Your Back & Neck Pain Massage

To get the most out of your sessions:

• Be consistent: Regular appointments (for example 1-2 times per week initially) yield better outcomes than sporadic visits.

• Follow home-care: The stretches, strengthening and posture changes you do between visits make a big difference.

• Communicate openly with your therapist: Tell them what hurts, what feels better, what still bothers you — that helps them adjust the treatment.

• Combine with lifestyle tweaks: Good ergonomics, regular movement breaks from sitting, proper lifting mechanics, and proper sleep posture all support relief from back pain or neck pain.

• Stay patient: Especially for chronic issues, progress may be gradual — but you should feel steady improvement in pain intensity, range of motion and function.

If back pain, neck pain, a neck injury, mid back pain, or low back pain is limiting your quality of life, the right therapeutic approach can make all the difference. Registered massage therapy—whether it's labelled “back pain massage”, “neck pain massage”, “massage therapy for neck pain” or “massage therapy for back pain”—is a proven method for relief, healing, and longer-term wellness.

Here in Burnaby, Soma Burnaby’s team of experienced massage therapists is ready to help you reclaim comfort, movement and vitality. Don’t settle for enduring pain. Book a session, experience hands-on care tailored to your needs, and begin your healing journey today.

Contact Soma Burnaby to schedule your first session of registered massage therapy. Start feeling better, moving better, and living better.