Can’t Lie Face Down? Massage for Back Pain in Colorado Springs

By Jessica Deardorff, LMT | Inspire Movements Massage Therapy | November 13, 2026

What if the very position you’re expected to lie in during a massage is the position that makes your low back pain worse? Is it face up or face down? That’ll help determine to rest of the session from there.

For some people experiencing chronic low back pain, sciatica, or hip discomfort, lying face down for 90 minutes sounds absolutely miserable. Good news! The full session doesn’t tend to be fully in one position or another! We rotate depending on what we are working with.

Here’s something I want you to know: You do not have to tolerate an uncomfortable position to receive therapeutic massage.

At Inspire Movements Massage Therapy in Briargate, Colorado Springs, I customize your treatment positioning around your mobility, symptoms, and comfort.

Why Does Lying Face Down Make Low Back Pain Worse?

Lying face down, also called the prone position, can be uncomfortable for people with certain back and hip conditions.

Depending on your body and the underlying cause of your symptoms, this position may:

• Increase discomfort through the lower back.
• Aggravate sensitive hip or pelvic structures.
• Make it difficult to remain still when muscles are already guarding.
• Increase discomfort when attempting to get off the massage table.

Not everyone responds to positioning the same way.

Someone with sciatica-like symptoms may feel comfortable lying on their side but experience increased discomfort lying face down. Another person might prefer lying on their back with support beneath their knees.

The important question isn’t whether you can tolerate a traditional massage position. It’s whether we can find a position that allows your body to receive treatment comfortably.

A Client Experience That Changed How We Approached Her Massage

Last year, I worked with a client who arrived at my Colorado Springs office in tremendous low back pain.

She was crying because of how uncomfortable she felt.

Even the idea of a 90-minute massage was unsettling. She wasn’t sure how she could possibly remain in one position for that long.

Rather than expecting her to stay face down, we adapted. We did what her body tolerated.

During her appointments, we’ve incorporated several positions depending on what her body can comfortably tolerate:

• Side-lying massage to accommodate her back and hips.
• Supine positioning (lying face up, it has the word “up” in it).
• Prone positioning (lying face down) when comfortable.
• Allowing one leg to extend off the side of the table when appropriate.
• Adjusting head and neck positioning to reduce discomfort.
• Using bolsters to accomodate.

These adjustments aren’t necessarily appropriate for every individual on the table, but the face that the resources are available makes it an option! They’re examples of how individualized therapeutic massage can be. This is why we say sessions are customized to you, for you.

And here’s the part I appreciate most: She continues booking 90-minute massages every 2-weeks to. This. Day.

Her experience is a reminder that significant pain doesn’t automatically mean massage is impossible. It means we need to understand what your body can tolerate and adapt accordingly. Or, we find an appropriate referral.

What If You’ve Had a Painful Massage Experience Before?

A few months ago, another client shared something that stayed with me.

During a previous massage elsewhere, lying face down had become so uncomfortable that they struggled to get off the table after the massage concluded.

The therapist had to assist them so they could get dressed.

They described the experience as both embarrassing and beyond agonizing. Never had an experience like this previously.

That experience discouraged them from booking another massage for years to come. That is, until she was referred to Inspire Movements Massage!

Unfortunately, experiences like this can make people hesitant to seek therapeutic massage again.

But a massage should never become an endurance test. This is where communication is encouraged.

You should be able to communicate discomfort, request adjustments, and change positions without feeling like you’re inconveniencing your therapist.

How I Customize Therapeutic Massage for Low Back Pain

At Inspire Movements Massage Therapy, treatment begins with understanding how your symptoms affect your everyday movement.

Can you comfortably roll onto your side? Does sitting aggravate your symptoms? Is getting out of bed difficult in the morning? What about deskwork throughout the day?

These details help guide how we approach your session.

1. Positioning Comes Before Pressure

Before applying deeper pressure, I want to understand which positions your body can tolerate.

We may use bolsters, pillows, side-lying techniques, or additional positioning adjustments.

You don’t need to spend your entire appointment face down.

2. ashiatsu Massage Is Adapted to Your Needs

ashiatsu massage uses a therapists feet to provided a deeper. more controlled barefoot pressure to address muscle tension across larger areas of the body.

While this technique is often performed with the client face down, it isn’t the only approach available.

If a particular position or pressure level aggravates your symptoms, I’ll modify the technique or use hands-on therapeutic massage instead.

The goal isn’t to use the deepest pressure possible. It’s to provide appropriate treatment based on how your body responds.

3. Cupping Therapy Can Complement Your Session

I also incorporate cupping therapy into each session.

Cupping uses suction to lift superficial tissue, offering a different sensation from the downward pressure of traditional massage.

For some clients, this can be a useful way to address muscle tension without continually increasing compression.

Cupping isn’t appropriate for every condition, and it doesn’t replace medical treatment for nerve compression or spinal disorders.

4. Your Feedback Guides the Treatment

Your symptoms may change throughout a session.

Something that felt comfortable 20 minutes ago might need adjusting.

That’s why I encourage communication throughout treatment.

If you need to move, change positions, or reduce pressure, we adjust.

Can Massage Help If You Have Sciatica or Severe Low Back Pain?

Therapeutic massage may help reduce muscle tension and provide short-term symptom relief for some people experiencing low back pain.

However, sciatica can involve irritation or compression of nerve structures, and massage cannot correct every underlying cause.

If you’re experiencing new or worsening leg weakness, progressive numbness, or severe unexplained pain, seek medical evaluation before scheduling massage.

New loss of bladder or bowel control or numbness around the groin requires emergency medical attention.

My role as a licensed massage therapist is to address appropriate soft tissue concerns, support comfortable movement, and work within my scope of practice.

Why Consistent Massage Appointments Matter

One thing I’ve observed throughout my years practicing massage therapy is that many clients benefit from addressing recurring muscle tension before their symptoms become overwhelming.

For several of my regular clients, appointments approximately every two weeks provide a practical schedule for monitoring tension, adjusting treatment, and supporting their mobility goals.

That doesn’t mean everyone needs massage every two weeks.

The appropriate frequency depends on your symptoms, response to treatment, medical history, and individual goals.

But if you’re constantly waiting until your low back pain becomes unbearable before booking, it may be worth discussing a more consistent treatment schedule.

Progress on pain starts with a plan that works for your body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a massage without lying on my stomach?

Yes. Therapeutic massage can often be performed while lying on your side or back. Your positioning depends on your symptoms, comfort, and treatment needs.

Is ashiatsu massage safe for someone with severe low back pain?

It depends on the cause and severity of the pain. Some conditions require medical evaluation or modified techniques. ashiatsu isn’t appropriate for everyone, and deep pressure should never be forced through worsening symptoms.

What if I can’t stay still for 90 minutes?

You don’t have to remain in one position throughout your appointment. We can incorporate position changes and adjustments as appropriate.

Can I receive massage if I’ve had a previous back injury?

Possibly. Your injury history, current symptoms, and any medical restrictions help determine which techniques are appropriate. Some injuries require medical clearance or alternative care.

Looking for Customized Massage for Back Pain in Colorado Springs?

If you’ve been avoiding massage because lying face down hurts, I want you to know that your comfort and mobility matter.

At Inspire Movements Massage Therapy, I specialize in individualized therapeutic massage for clients experiencing low back pain, hip tension, sciatica-like symptoms, and recurring muscular discomfort.

My office is located at 1295 Kelly Johnson Blvd, Suite 250, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, conveniently located in Briargate near North Academy Boulevard, Chapel Hills Mall, and UCHealth Memorial North.

I offer:

• 90-minute customized therapeutic massage.
• 2-hour therapeutic massage sessions.
• ashiatsu massage and integrated cupping therapy.
• Individualized positioning and treatment planning.
• Ongoing appointments for clients seeking consistent therapeutic care.

You don’t have to force your body into a painful position to receive care.

If you’re ready to explore a more personalized approach to massage for low back pain in Colorado Springs, schedule your appointment with Inspire Movements Massage Therapy.

Book your therapeutic massage: https://book.pocketsuite.io/

Jessica Deardorff, Licensed Massage Therapist

Colorado License MT.0021143

Inspire Movements Massage Therapy | Briargate, Colorado Springs

This article is educational and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.