September 14, 2006 – More likely than most people to suffer from back pain, Canada Post Corporation (CPA) employees may benefit from a combination of naturopathic treatments.
According to study results released at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Naturopathic Physicians of the United States1, combining acupuncture, relaxation exercises as well as advice on diet and lifestyle habits would have reduced the pain associated with low back pain by 11.1% in DBS workers.
This is a significant result, considering that from 2001 to 2003, the proportion of CPS employees diagnosed with musculoskeletal disorders increased from 53% to 59%.
Concerned about this situation, the CPS and the union representing 55,000 workers decided to jointly fund a study led by naturopath Orest Szczurko, professor at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto.2.
In all, 72 workers with low back pain took part in the clinical trial. Of these, 85% were material handlers and 15% mail delivery workers.
Dr. Szczurko subjected half of the subjects to 24 acupuncture treatments – two per week – for three months. During the same period, participants also had to indulge in two daily sessions of relaxation exercises, in addition to putting into practice the advice of a nutritionist on the anti-inflammatory diet.3.
The 36 other subjects, forming the control group, received an information kit on the causes of back pain and on the exercises to be performed to alleviate the symptoms and prevent its recurrence.
People treated in naturopathy saw their pain decrease by 11.1%, while the others saw their pain amplify by 1.7%. Similarly, people in the first group said they experienced a 20% improvement in their lumbar function and quality of life, compared to 8.8% in those in the placebo group.
Joined at his Toronto office, Dr Szczurko argues that his study is the first to measure the effectiveness of such a combination of naturopathic treatments. According to him, the results obtained would provide a glimpse of a new way of treating CPS employees suffering from chronic back pain.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). The address of the organization’s website is www.naturopathic.org [consulté le 13 septembre 2006].
2. To consult the institution’s website: www.ccnm.edu [consulté le 13 septembre 2006].
3. An anti-inflammatory diet includes, among other things, a high intake of omega-3 (found in many fish), omega-9 (olive oil, almonds and avocado, for example) and fruits and vegetables. For more details, see Nutritious Ideas from New York.
