May 17, 2002 – As part of the first International Congress on the Science of Touch in Montreal, a researcher from the Mc Master University in Ontario, Karen Beattie, came to present the results of a study1 looking at the effects of massage in relieving low back pain.
People with subacute low back pain (likely to return to normal) for more than a week, but less than eight months, were recruited for this study and divided into four groups. The first followed an integral massage therapy composed of a manipulation of soft tissues (friction, click points), curative gymnastics and postural education; the second, manipulation only; the third, gymnastics and education; the last, a simulation of laser treatment. Six treatments were administered over a month. Participants were assessed at the beginning and end of the month as well as one month after the last treatment. They were measured using four questionnaires to estimate, among other things, range of motion, anxiety, pain relief and pain intensity.
The results clearly indicate the beneficial effect of integral massage therapy in all measures. The follow-up one month after stopping treatment revealed that 63% of subjects in the integral massage therapy group reported the disappearance of their pain, compared to 27% for manipulation, 14% for gymnastics and 0% for the laser. The manipulation also showed very encouraging results close to those of integral massage therapy in certain measures.
Élisabeth Mercader – PasseportSanté.net
From a presentation given on May 16, 2002 to 1er International Congress on the Science of Touch in Montreal.
1. Preyde M. Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low-back pain: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2000 Jun 27; 162 (13): 1815-20
