Research Shows Message Therapy Helps Reduce Chronic Lower Back Pain

By April Clarkson, April 22nd, 2013 | Health | 1 Comment

According to a study’s findings that were published in the issue of “Annals of Internal Medicine,” patients that seek six or more months of massage therapy to treat chronic back pain may actually benefit greatly from this age old art of healing touch.

Dr. Daniel C. Cherkin, of Seattle’s Group Health Research Institute, conducted the study along with several colleagues in an attempt to prove that massage touch, coupled with relaxation techniques, could reduce the occurrence of lower chronic back pain. The study consisted of 401 chronic back pain sufferers who were broken down into groups to receive three different types of care. One group received structural massage therapy, the second received relaxation massages, and the third group simply received the usual care treatment.

The study shows that after just ten weeks of receiving the intense massage therapy, the first two groups showed “substantial improvement” over the third group receiving the usual care. The study lasted for 52 weeks, and although it proved there were some benefits to receiving the treatments, the findings showed no reduction in the symptoms.
A complex algorithm was used to determine if and how the treatments were beneficial included the use of the Roland Disability Questionnaire combined with a “bothersomeness score,” as given by patients to the researchers.