Does massage therapy decrease pain or improve function in adults with low back pain?. Issue 4 (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, Lynne; Karlson, Katie
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based practice. Volume 20:Issue 4(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• DOI: 10.1097/01.EBP.0000541684.90532.cc
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1095-4120

Abstract

Abstract : EVIDENCE‐BASED ANSWER : In adults with either subacute or chronic low back pain, massage therapy produces moderate short‐term (≤6 months) improvements in pain and function; however, no benefit is seen beyond this time. In treatment of acute low back pain, massage therapy relieves pain only, and again only in short‐term follow‐up (SOR: B, systematic review of low‐quality RCTs). In workers with either subacute or chronic low back pain, massage may be a useful adjunct to exercise therapy (SOR: C, based on expert opinion).