Is a massage ok on a pulled lower back?

[jason s]

I pulled my lower back this morning....i got ice on it now. Is it ok if my wife uses a massage roller on it?

 

[Richard C]

Jason, first off stop the ice. Ice actually inhibits recovery. As for the massage roller that is okay to use. Please try these movements to see if they help. Sit in a chair and raise your left arm above the head as high as you can. Note the height achieved and then rest it. Now do the same with the right arm. One arm is going to have gone up higher, start with that arm. Raise that arm up above the head as hard and high as you can for 30 seconds and then rest it for 15 seconds. Repeat this twice more and then do the same with the opposite arm 3 times. Next, turn the head to the left as far as you can and note the degree of rotation. Now turn in the opposite direction and note the degree of rotation. Start in the direction that rotated the furthest. Turn in that direction as far and hard as you can for 30 seconds and then rest for 15 seconds. Repeat this twice more and then do the same in the opposite direction 3 times. Lastly, turn the body to the left as far as you can and note the degree of rotation now do the same in the opposite direction. Start in the direction that rotated the furthest. Turn in that direction as hard and far as you can for 30 seconds and then rest for 15 seconds. Repeat this twice more and then do the same 3 rotations in the opposite direction. Now get up and move around. There should be less pain and more mobility. Do these movements at least twice a day.