Why a butt massage?
Your buttocks are a combination of fat and muscle. The butt’s gluteal muscles, collectively among the largest in the body, are necessary for stability, movement, and posture. In short, they’re very important.
When they’re injured or weak from not being used properly, the glutes can cause a variety of problems, from low back and hip pain to a shortened range of motion.
A butt massage can help treat these issues — and a whole host of pain-related problems. A butt massage is meant to stretch and push the glute muscles. This can boost circulation, improve range of motion, and increase muscle stability.
Whether you’re keen to get a butt massage to relieve a tight tush, are curious if it can help you recover from a hard day at the gym, or find it to be a fun warm-up activity for a bedroom romp, here’s what you need to know about butt massage.
Butt massage offers a host of benefits for your body. These include better range of movement in your lower half, pain relief, increased circulation, and faster muscle recovery. It also happens to be a fun and sensual activity for couples (the muscle benefits are a happy side effect).
Butt massage for back pain
More than 80 percent of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. For some people, the pain will be chronic and almost debilitating.
Before turning to surgery or prescription medicine, butt massage therapy may be an efficient way to ease back pain and improve range of motion.
Butt massage may help relieve back pain from:
- a bruise in the buttocks, such as from a fall or injury
- sciatica, a sharp, burning pain that radiates over the buttocks from the sciatic nerve
- herniated disc (what happens when there is weakening of the cushion between the bodies of vertebral bones)
- tailbone pain
- tight glutes
Massaging the butt helps relax the all-important gluteal muscles and eases pressure on other parts of the back, spine, and legs. When overworked or tight muscles can relax, they can recover more easily. This helps prevent muscle pain, strain, and damage.
Butt massage for leg pain
Like the back, your legs rely on your butt’s glute muscles to coordinate a lot of important activities, from walking and running to moving from sitting and standing positions. When the glutes aren’t working properly for the lower half of the body, you may experience symptoms, including leg pain.
Butt massage may help relieve leg pain caused by:
- bursitis, a condition where fluid-filled sacs for cushioning your joints become inflamed and painful
- inactivity of the glutes or the gluteal muscles not working properly
- tight muscles, caused by overactivity, lack of stretching, or improper exercise
Improved range of movement
If the muscles in your buttocks become weak from lack of use or inflamed because of overuse, infection, or other irritation, you may experience difficulty with muscle movement. Tight glutes can be uncomfortable, and they can even limit how well you move.
Butt massage can ease the tightness in these muscles. A physical therapist or massage therapist can then work with you to stretch these muscles. This can help you slowly regain range of motion and improve strength and circulation.
Improved athletic performance
Glutes that don’t activate properly or aren’t as efficient and strong as they could be can hamper athletic activities. Weak glutes can also increase your risk of injury.
Athletes work with trainers and other fitness experts to exercise glutes and muscles of the lower body. They also work with physical therapists and massage therapists to stretch and massage these large muscles, deep in the buttocks, lower back, and upper legs. Massage can help athletes perform better and bounce back from injury faster.
Pregnancy benefits
Excess weight in your abdomen can put unusually high amounts of stress and strain on the muscles in your back. During pregnancy, this weight and strain may grow as the baby grows.
Prenatal massage will focus on overall muscle relaxation, but a butt massage may be particularly helpful for expecting mothers. Relaxing and stretching these muscles may help you have better posture and experience less pain overall.
Sensual butt massage
Massage is a wonderful way to show physical affection. After all, touch is a powerful sensation, and massage is all about connecting with the power of touch.
For some people, a butt massage is a fun form of foreplay. For others, it’s a sensual activity that’s undertaken very seriously. No matter how you approach it, a little push on the tush from time to time may be a fun way to spice things up in the bedroom.
In this realm, there’s no right or wrong way to do a butt massage. Have fun, and listen to your partner’s feedback.
Physical therapists and massage therapists can both do butt massages. They are specially trained to stretch and manipulate these muscles for relaxation, strengthening, and recovery.
Physical therapists will likely perform the massage during a physical therapy appointment. It may be done in conjunction with a number of stretches or exercises.
A massage therapist can do a butt massage as part of an all-body massage. You can also ask them to specifically focus on the butt and any areas of pain or discomfort.
Medical insurance is unlikely to cover massage therapy, but some may cover massage therapy with a note and prescription from your doctor. The chance of insurance coverage is higher if the massage is performed for medically necessary reasons.
In many cases, medical insurance will cover massage as part of an appointment with a physical therapist as prescribed by a physician. Before you make an appointment, however, call your insurance company to verify what’s covered and what additional paperwork might be necessary to have the procedure covered.
Butt massage techniques
A massage therapist is trained to use several techniques for butt massage. These can include Swedish, deep-tissue, and sports massages. Each of these techniques has individual benefits for the glutes.
You can also use foam rollers to help massage and stretch the muscles in your butt at home. This is especially helpful after a workout. Foam rollers push on trigger points, or sore areas, in your muscles. Pushing against the tense muscles can help them release and relax. This can boost circulation and improve recovery too.
Takeaway
Butt massage is a great way to relax muscles, boost circulation, and improve the glutes’ strength. Trained physical therapists and massage therapists can help you treat symptoms and improve your overall strength in these muscles.
Don’t fret about asking your massage therapist for a little rub in the behind. It’s purely professional. However, in the comfort of your bedroom, a butt massage can be a fun activity if your partner’s derriere just does something for you. In that case, the massage is entirely meant to turn you on.
