Low Back Pain Solutions

Point Release™ Technique (PRT) for Low Back Pain

By Ashley Osier

MA, HHE, CPS, CSMT, CAMT, CAYT, CWHP

 It brings me great joy to live in a body that is fifteen years older and no longer limited 

by moment-to-moment pain.

Over the past few months, students and clients have come with injuries and pain in almost every area of the body. One was a new client who came in with back pain that increased when she was standing, decreased when she sat and rested, and worsened with her  job. She had sought out treatment through the basic channels of doctor prescribed medications, physical therapy, and chiropractic without much relief and after spending more than she had hoped. Then she found massage therapy and received relief but the symptoms had not completely subsided. So she made a few phone calls and was given my name as a referral. 

Part of what I love about working with injuries and chronic pain is the complexity, irregularity, and opportunity to help others get back with the business of living life. Chronic back pain is quite challenging and can start at the low back, move to the buttocks, refer down the legs and end up at the psoas/groin. Some back pain is worsened with sleep and decreased by walking and some clients need lighter pressure in one area and deeper pressure on another. No one is exactly the same and the timeline for healing can range from days to years. And though I understand the frustration many clients feel from having to figure out what their body needs to be restored to a pre-injury state, the time needs to be taken to correctly and completely resolve each individual injury. It is very satisfying to see a client or student not only return to their function, sport, hobby, life, but to do so in a more conscious and empowered way so that they can prevent future injuries. 

For my new client, her back pain was felt mostly in the glute/buttock and outer hip areas (UB48 and GB29/30) with no pain radiating down either leg. However when she got on my table, her low back acupressure point (UB47 pictured below) was extremely tender and had a knot that she was able to feel when I applied pressure and movement to the area. This let me know that though she felt pain in one area, there was one or more areas involved that needed to be released as well. As a side note, this client had a previous injury and surgery, which likely did not have the appropriate amount of time spent healing, recovering, and restrengthening. Unresolved past injuries often set us up for future injuries and chronic weaknesses in the body, so I am a big advocate of follow through with injuries and staying on top of balancing muscle strength 
to support weakened areas.

As with all clients, I will usually make recommendations on what they can do at home to lessen the pain and improve function and strength. After going over the basics of rest, ice, heat, compression, elevation, posture awareness and practice, gentle stretching, core strengtheners and sleeping positions, I showed the above PRT acupressure point. UB47 is a very safe and effective acupressure point that supports the upper back and sacral/hip areas. I will sometimes suggest my clients sleep with the tennis ball on this point, use it in the car or chair at work/school, and upon waking up/going to bed. It is an excellent starting point with the  Point Release™ Technique and almost everyone who accesses this acupressure point notices a knot, pain, and release of knot and/or pain after application. For those clients who access this point when sleeping, many have reported they wake up feeling more rested, less stiff, and more energized.

For our purposes, the following photos show Levels 1 and 2 for depth of pressure. You will notice that the Intermediate Level shows the hips slightly lifted off of the floor. The belly button is pressed firmly down into the tennis ball to hold the ball at the acupressure point and the gentle rocking of the knees adds a cross fiber technique that opens the point, increases circulation, and slowly warms the point up. Remember when practicing, to relax each area of your body that is not being used, keep your toes on the floor and knees hips-width apart. If you choose to increase the pressure with the 2nd Level, make sure your feet are grounded to provide better stabilization for the hips and low back.

1st/Basic Level with knees rocking to the right

1st/Basic Level with knees rocking to the left

2nd/Intermediate Level with rocking to the left

In addition to my general suggestions for chronic pain challenges, I encourage all clients and students to stick with their plan and take the time needed to completely resolve the symptoms. Jumping back into exercises that the injured area is not ready for will only prolong the symptoms, healing process and possibly re-injure the area with greater symptoms and longer/more severe interventions. Stay on top of your posture as most people have a default posture that maintains weaknesses and imbalances. I will be posting an article here on posture awareness and practice soon. 

Non-injured but pregnant women often experience low back pain that can be relieved by utilizing Point Release™ Technique. I would recommend the same suggestions as the new client above as well as other points in the PRT system for the Middle and Lower Body Routines.  Here is one of my original photos from 2002 showing GB30 to open the hips and relieve sciatica pain during pregnancy. When using the tennis ball on GB30 in bed at night, make sure the shoulders and head are elevated above the heart level. I suggest that pregnant women stay in this position after their 1st trimester for no more than 15 minutes. Each woman should consult with their physician to clarify length of time that is appropriate for them at each month of their pregnancy when lying on their back. Usually sideline sleeping with a pillow in between the knees is recommended for comfort and safety and other pillows may be needed for additional comfort. The tennis ball can also be used at Sp10 (see article on Solutions for Knee Pain) to relieve hip pain and tension during pregnancy when in the sideline position.

For more information for questions and on classes, workshops and private instruction or to set up a session, you can contact me @ ewsomatherapy@gmail.com. I can send my summer workshop schedule if you email your address. 

Ashley Osier is a holistic health educator and therapist, stress management therapist, an acupressure and massage therapist, stretching, massage, acupressure, and self-acupressure instructor and creator of the Point Release™ Technique and StretchFit™ Method. She specializes in working with stress management, injury prevention and pain relief, therapeutic stretching for individuals and couples, and posture awareness. She also offers coaching in nutrition and support for women going through divorce. 

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