Back Pain Treatment: Is Massage An Effective Form of Back Pain Treatment?

Back pain treatment utilizing massage as a means of treating chronic back pain is controversial at best. While the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of massage is thin, there are some promising benefits identified.

An analysis of the effectiveness of massage on chronic musculoskeletal pain was recently presented by a group of researchers from UCLA. The conclusions from this review suggested that the effects of massage varied considerably depending on the condition, but seemed to have the greatest pain reducing effect on chronic, nonspecific low back pain.

These findings support an article publishid in Spine Journal in 2002, where the authors concluded the following:

“Massage is beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific low back pain in terms of improving symptoms and function. The effects of massage are improved if combined with exercise and education and have a long lasting effect…”

Conversely, the European Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain published this year (2007) in the European Spine Journal, found no reason to recommend massage as a viable treatment option for treating nonspecific low back pain. The panel found that there was limited evidence to support the use of massage for pain reduction, functional improvement, or cost effectiveness in treating low back pain and, therefore, could not recommend massage as a treatment for chronic low back pain.

In my experience, massage, in combination with active rehabilitation, is a beneficial treatment method for treating low back pain. The important thing that I’ve observed is that massage is more effective when it is utilized as part of a multidiciplinary treatment approach as opposed to the only treatment approach.

In the Erase Your Back Pain program, you will be addressing specific muscle imbalances that respond very favorably to specific stretching exercises resulting in decreased pain and improved function. Ready to start feeling better? Go here NOW! ==> No More Back Pain!

I welcome your questions and comments. Please let me know your most burning question regarding your back pain by commenting below.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
Clinical Specialist
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy