Research Plus

Massage for back pain

An updated Cochrane review finds some evidence to support the use of massage therapy in the management of low back pain (LBP). Two studies showed massage to be superior to ‘sham’ (placebo) treatment in both the short and long term. When compared to active interventions, massage was found to be similar to exercises, but superior to joint mobilisation, relaxation therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and self-care education.

Spine 2009; 34(16): 1669–1684. http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/2009/07150/Massage_for_Low_Back_Pain__An_Updated_Systematic.8.aspx

Tags back pain evidence based practice

Occupational Health at Work December/January 2009/2010 (vol. 06/4) pp40