title: Massage therapy effects in a long-term prosthetic user with fibular hemimelia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA) commonly experience low back pain (LBP). Although massage effects on LBP are well-documented, research regarding massage for individuals with LLA is scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effectiveness of massage therapy to promote activity level, decrease LBP, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a long-term prosthetic user.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 50-day study consisted of two baseline sessions, seven treatment sessions that included a 50-min massage applied to major gait muscles, and two follow-up sessions. Pedometer-measured ambulatory activity level, visual analog scale-measured pain level, and RAND-36 Health Survey 1.0-determined HRQOL were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain level decreased, HRQOL increased, and no change occurred in ambulatory activity level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the participant, therapeutic massage intervention lead to successful LBP symptom management.
authors.affiliation: 779 Oakview Court NW, Lilburn, GA 30047, USA. Electronic address: larson.erika@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Erika Rae
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004480:Ectromelia / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Amputation; HRQOL; Manual therapy; low back pain