Is massage effective for lower back pain?

09 May Is massage effective for lower back pain?

There’s nothing quite as blissful as a full-body massage.

In fact, it feels so relaxing that many people consider it to be “pampering”, and don’t understand what an effective treatment modality it truly is.  However, a plethora of research shows that remedial massage is helpful in the acute treatment of a variety of muscular conditions – including back pain.

One study* (consisting of 100 people with lower back pain) separated participants into 4 groups:

• Group 1 received 6 remedial massage treatments
• Group 2 received 6 soft tissue manipulations
• Group 3 received an exercise program, with no hands-on treatment
• Group 4 (the placebo group) received “mock-laser” therapy

The results were surprising!

One month after the initial treatment, researchers found:

• In Group 1, 63% of participants were pain-free.
• In Group 2, just 27% of participants were pain-free.
• In Group 3, only 14% were feeling significantly better.
• And Group 4 (the placebo group) reported no change.

Incredibly, patients with subacute lower back pain experienced the best results after blissing out with remedial massage therapy!  This study (and many others) support what we have been recommending to clients for years:

A combination of massage AND physiotherapy will significantly reduce lower back pain AND prevent future pain.

While this study looked at the short term benefits of remedial massage therapy in the treatment of back pain, there is also much evidence that to ensure a good long term (ie. years down the track) prognosis appropriate strength training is essential.

What are you waiting for?

Call our friendly team today to book your relaxing, pampering, AND healing remedial massage.

*Reference: Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low-back pain: a randomized controlled trial, 2000

M Preyde

Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Ont