Deep tissue massage and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain: a prospective randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether chronic low back pain therapy with deep tissue massage (DTM) gives similar results to combined therapy consisting of DTM and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).


METHODS
Prospective controlled randomized single blinded trial.


METHODS
Ambulatory care of rehabilitation.


METHODS
59 patients, age 51.8 ± 9.0 years, with chronic low back pain. Interventions. 2 weeks of DTM in the treatment group (TG) versus 2 weeks of DTM combined with NSAID in the control group (CG).


METHODS
Visual analogue scale, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Roland-Morris questionnaire (RM).


RESULTS
In both the TG and the CG, a significant pain reduction and function improvement were observed. VAS decreased from 58.3 ± 18.2 to 42.2 ± 21.1 (TG) and from 51.8 ± 18.8 to 30.6 ± 21.9 (CG). RM value decreased from 9.8 ± 5.1 to 6.4 ± 4.4 (TG), and from 9.3 ± 5.5 to 6.1 ± 4.6 (CG). ODI value decreased from 29.2 ± 17.3 to 21.4 ± 15.1 (TG) and from 21.4 ± 9.4 to 16.6 ± 9.4 (CG). All pre-post-treatment differences were significant; however, there was no significant difference between the TG and the CG.


CONCLUSIONS
DTM had a positive effect on reducing pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Concurrent use of DTM and NSAID contributed to low back pain reduction in a similar degree that the DTM did.
Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 28 Czerwca 1956 roku 135/147, 61-545 Poznan, Poland.
Marian
0000-0002-9487-8388
M
Majchrzycki
Department of Kinesiotherapy, University School of Physical Education in Poznan, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznan, Poland.
Piotr
P
Kocur
Department of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 28 Czerwca 1956 roku 135/147, 61-545 Poznan, Poland.
Tomasz
0000-0003-0810-9361
T
Kotwicki
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal