Members’ home

AMTA Position Statement Proposal

Date received by Delegate: January 20th, 2009

Name of Originator: Ann Blair Kennedy
AMTA ID#: 91404
Day phone: 864-984-1018
Evening phone: 864-682-7507
Fax: 864-984-6316
Email: abkamta@thekennedys.us

Name of Delegate: Debra Gallup
Day phone: 803-318-1664
Evening phone: 803-318-1664
Fax: N/A
Email: debrabgallup@earthlink.net

Background information

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States.”1   The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is funding a large study (399 participants) with results due in September 2009 focusing on the effects of massage therapy and lower back pain.2   The CDC’s reports in its 2007 survey of CAM therapies that the number one reason adults seek complementary treatment is back pain; back/neck pain is also the number one reason for children to seek complementary treatment.3 

Research has shown that massage:

  • Can reduce lower back pain 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • May reduce the health care costs of patients dealing with lower back pain4
  • Reduce disability associated with lower back pain5
  • Increase functionality5, 6, 10, 11, 12
  • Help maintain reduced lower back pain over time7, 8, 9, 11
  • Reduce the anxiety and/or depression associated with lower back pain7, 8, 10, 12

Rationale

Those patients who seek complementary methods for relief of lower back pain will benefit from the structured touch of trained massage therapists working within their scope of practice.

The position statement supports the following AMTA Core Values:

  • We believe that massage benefits all.
  • We are a diverse and nurturing community working with integrity, honesty and dignity.
  • We embrace excellence in education, service and leadership.

The 10-30 Year Vivid Descriptions of the AMTA are also supported by the position:

  • People recognize the power of touch to affect the mind/body/spirit continuum.
  • The role of massage therapy will be expanded in all practice settings
  • There will be international recognition for the value of massage.  All societies will be educated and accept massage therapy and AMTA will be a global networking resource for massage therapy and therapists.

 

Position Statement

It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage therapy may be effective in reducing lower back pain.

References

  1. National Institutes of Health. (2003). "Low Back Pain Fact Sheet" NINDS. NIH Publication No. 03-5161. Retrieved on April 8, 2009, from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web site: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm

  2. Cherkin, D., NCCAM, (2009). Effect of Massage on Chronic Lower Back Pain, Retrieved on April 8, 2009, from Clinical Trials.gov Web site: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00371384

    Primary Outcome Measures:
    • Dysfunction at 10 weeks [ Time Frame: 10 weeks ]
    • Symptom bothersomeness at 10 weeks


    Secondary Outcome Measures:
    • Dysfunction at 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 26 and 52 weeks ]
    • Symptom bothersomeness at 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 26 and 52 weeks ]
    • Anxiety at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26, and 52 weeks ]
    • Depression at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26, and 52 weeks ]
    • Perceived stress at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26, and 52 weeks ]
    • Fear avoidance at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26, and 52 weeks ]
    • Satisfaction with back care at 10 and 26 weeks [ Time Frame: 10 and 26 weeks ]
    • General health status (SF-36) at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26 and 52 weeks ]
    • Disability days at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26 52 weeks ]
    • Medication use at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26 52 weeks ]
    • Adverse experiences at 10 weeks [ Time Frame: 10 weeks ]
    • Perceptions of massage treatments at 10, 26 and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26, 52 weeks ]
    • Use and cost of health care services for back pain at 10, 26, and 52 weeks [ Time Frame: 10, 26, 52 weeks ]


    Detailed Description: Americans are increasingly seeking care from massage therapists for relief of chronic back pain. However, while initial studies suggest that massage is beneficial for back pain, we have no information about which of the many types of massage is most helpful. We will be conducting a study that compares two distinct therapeutic massage protocols with each other and with usual care for treating chronic back pain. This study is designed to determine which of these massage protocols will be most effective in reducing pain and increasing functionality in people with low back pain. 399 Group Health members with non-specific low back pain lasting at least 3 months will be randomized to one of the two massage groups or to a control group that receives no treatment beyond their usual care. Massage therapists will provide each participant with 10 treatments over 10 weeks. The primary outcomes, function and bothersomeness of low back pain, will be assessed before treatment begins and 10, 26 and 52 weeks after randomization by interviewers who do not know which treatment the participant received. The results of this study will clarify the value of two different types of massage for treating one of the most common, challenging, and expensive health problems plaguing developed countries. The findings will help physicians make informed and confident referrals, consumers and insurers make safe and cost-effective choices, and massage schools make responsible curriculum decisions.

  3. Barnes, P.M., Bloom, B., Nahin, R. (2008). Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007, CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. Retrieved April 7, 2009, from Centers for Disease Control Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr012.pdf

  4. Cherkin, D.C., Sherman, K.J., Deyo, R.A., Shekelle, P.G., (2003)  A review of the evidence for the effectiveness, safety, and cost of acupuncture, massage therapy, and spinal manipulation for back pain.  Ann Intern Med, 138(11):898-906.

    BACKGROUND: Few treatments for back pain are supported by strong scientific evidence. Conventional treatments, although widely used, have had limited success. Dissatisfied patients have, therefore, turned to complementary and alternative medical therapies and providers for care for back pain.

    PURPOSE: To provide a rigorous and balanced summary of the best available evidence about the effectiveness, safety, and costs of the most popular complementary and alternative medical therapies used to treat back pain.

    DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.

    STUDY SELECTION: Systematic reviews of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) that were published since 1995 and that evaluated acupuncture, massage therapy, or spinal manipulation for nonspecific back pain and RCTs published since the reviews were conducted.

    DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently extracted data from the reviews (including number of RCTs, type of back pain, quality assessment, and conclusions) and original articles (including type of pain, comparison treatments, sample size, outcomes, follow-up intervals, loss to follow-up, and authors' conclusions).

    DATA SYNTHESIS: Because the quality of the 20 RCTs that evaluated acupuncture was generally poor, the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating acute or chronic back pain is unclear. The three RCTs that evaluated massage reported that this therapy is effective for subacute and chronic back pain. A meta-regression analysis of the results of 26 RCTs evaluating spinal manipulation for acute and chronic back pain reported that spinal manipulation was superior to sham therapies and therapies judged to have no evidence of a benefit but was not superior to effective conventional treatments.

    CONCLUSIONS: Initial studies have found massage to be effective for persistent back pain. Spinal manipulation has small clinical benefits that are equivalent to those of other commonly used therapies. The effectiveness of acupuncture remains unclear. All of these treatments seem to be relatively safe. Preliminary evidence suggests that massage, but not acupuncture or spinal manipulation, may reduce the costs of care after an initial course of therapy.

  5. Hsieh, L.L., Kuo, C.H., Lee, L.H., Yen, A.M., Chien, K.L., Chen, T.H., (2006). Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 332(7543):696-700.

    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in terms of disability, pain scores, and functional status. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial.

    SETTING: Orthopaedic clinic in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: 129 patients with chronic low back pain.

    INTERVENTION: Acupressure or physical therapy for one month.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self administered Chinese versions of standard outcome measures for low back pain (primary outcome: Roland and Morris disability questionnaire) at baseline, after treatment, and at six month follow-up.

    RESULTS: The mean total Roland and Morris disability questionnaire score after treatment was significantly lower in the acupressure group than in the physical therapy group regardless of the difference in absolute score (- 3.8, 95% confidence interval - 5.7 to - 1.9) or mean change from the baseline (- 4.64, - 6.39 to - 2.89). Acupressure conferred an 89% (95% confidence interval 61% to 97%) reduction in significant disability compared with physical therapy. The improvement in disability score in the acupressure group compared with the physical group remained at six month follow-up. Statistically significant differences also occurred between the two groups for all six domains of the core outcome, pain visual scale, and modified Oswestry disability questionnaire after treatment and at six month follow-up.

    CONCLUSIONS: Acupressure was effective in reducing low back pain in terms of disability, pain scores, and functional status. The benefit was sustained for six months.

  6. Dryden, T., Baskwill, A., Preyde, M., (2004).Massage therapy for the orthopaedic patient: a review. Orthop Nurs, 23(5):327-32.

    The effectiveness of massage therapy for the orthopaedic patient has not been documented; thus, a review of the published literature was warranted. A considerable proportion of the population experience orthopaedic problems, and many use massage therapy. A review and analysis of the literature between January 1973 and June 2003 yielded tentative results. It appears that massage therapy may be effective for orthopaedic patients with low back problems and potentially beneficial for patients with other orthopaedic problems. Massage therapy appears to be safe, to have high patient satisfaction, and to reduce pain and dysfunction.

  7. Walach, H., Güthlin, C., König, M., (2003). Efficacy of massage therapy in chronic pain: a pragmatic randomized trial.  J Altern Complement Med, 9(6):837-46.

    BACKGROUND: Although classic massage is used widely in Germany and elsewhere for treating chronic pain conditions, there are no randomized controlled trials (RCT).

    DESIGN: Pragmatic RCT of classic massage compared to standard medical care (SMC) in chronic pain conditions of back, neck, shoulders, head and limbs.

    OUTCOME MEASURE: Pain rating (nine-point Likert-scale; predefined main outcome criterion) at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 3 month follow-up, as well as pain adjective list, depression, anxiety, mood, and body concept.

    RESULTS: Because of political and organizational problems, only 29 patients were randomized, 19 to receive massage, 10 to SMC. Pain improved significantly in both groups, but only in the massage group was it still significantly improved at follow-up. Depression and anxiety were improved significantly by both treatments, yet only in the massage group maintained at follow-up.

    CONCLUSION: Despite its limitation resulting from problems with numbers and randomization this study shows that massage can be at least as effective as SMC in chronic pain syndromes. Relative changes are equal, but tend to last longer and to generalize more into psychologic domains. Because this is a pilot study, the results need replication, but our experiences might be useful for other researchers.

  8. Brady, L.H., Henry, K., Luth, J.F. 2nd, Casper-Bruett, K.K., (2001). The effects of shiatsu on lower back pain, J Holist Nurs, 19(1):57-70.

    Shiatsu, a specific type of massage, was used as an intervention in this study of 66 individuals complaining of lower back pain. Each individual was measured on state/trait anxiety and pain level before and after four shiatsu treatments. Each subject was then called 2 days following each treatment and asked to quantify the level of pain. Both pain and anxiety decreased significantly over time. Extraneous variables such as gender, age, gender of therapist, length of history with lower back pain, and medications taken for lower back pain did not alter the significant results. These subjects would recommend shiatsu massage for others suffering from lower back pain and indicated the treatments decreased the major inconveniences they experienced with their lower back pain.

  9. Cherkin, D.C., Eisenberg, D., Sherman, K.J., Barlow, W., Kaptchuk, T.J., Street, J., Deyo, R.A., (2001).  Randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for chronic low back pain. Arch Intern Med, 161(8):1081-8.

    BACKGROUND: Because the value of popular forms of alternative care for chronic back pain remains uncertain, we compared the effectiveness of acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for persistent back pain.

    METHODS: We randomized 262 patients aged 20 to 70 years who had persistent back pain to receive Traditional Chinese Medical acupuncture (n = 94), therapeutic massage (n = 78), or self-care educational materials (n = 90). Up to 10 massage or acupuncture visits were permitted over 10 weeks. Symptoms (0-10 scale) and dysfunction (0-23 scale) were assessed by telephone interviewers masked to treatment group. Follow-up was available for 95% of patients after 4, 10, and 52 weeks, and none withdrew for adverse effects.

    RESULTS: Treatment groups were compared after adjustment for prerandomization covariates using an intent-to-treat analysis. At 10 weeks, massage was superior to self-care on the symptom scale (3.41 vs 4.71, respectively; P =.01) and the disability scale (5.88 vs 8.92, respectively; P<.001). Massage was also superior to acupuncture on the disability scale (5.89 vs 8.25, respectively; P =.01). After 1 year, massage was not better than self-care but was better than acupuncture (symptom scale: 3.08 vs 4.74, respectively; P =.002; dysfunction scale: 6.29 vs 8.21, respectively; P =.05). The massage group used the least medications (P<.05) and had the lowest costs of subsequent care.

    CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic massage was effective for persistent low back pain, apparently providing long-lasting benefits. Traditional Chinese Medical acupuncture was relatively ineffective. Massage might be an effective alternative to conventional medical care for persistent back pain.

  10. Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, H., (2001) Lower back pain is reduced and range of motion increased after massage therapy. Int J Neurosci, 106(3-4):131-45.

    STUDY DESIGN: A randomized between-groups design evaluated massage therapy versus relaxation for chronic low back pain.

     OBJECTIVES: Treatment effects were evaluated for reducing pain, depression, anxiety and stress hormones, and sleeplessness and for improving trunk range of motion associated with chronic low back pain.

    SUMMARY of BACKGROUND DATA: Twenty-four adults (M age=39.6 years) with low back pain of nociceptive origin with a duration of at least 6 months participated in the study. The groups did not differ on age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity or gender.

    METHODS: Twenty-four adults (12 women) with lower back pain were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a progressive muscle relaxation group. Sessions were 30 minutes long twice a week for five weeks. On the first and last day of the 5-week study participants completed questionnaires, provided a urine sample and were assessed for range of motion.

    RESULTS: By the end of the study, the massage therapy group, as compared to the relaxation group, reported experiencing less pain, depression, anxiety and improved sleep. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance, and their serotonin and dopamine levels were higher.

    CONCLUSIONS: Massage therapy is effective in reducing pain, stress hormones and symptoms associated with chronic low back pain.

    PRECIS: Adults (M age=39.6 years) with low back pain with a duration of at least 6 months received two 30-min massage or relaxation therapy sessions per week for 5 weeks. Participants receiving massage therapy reported experiencing less pain, depression, anxiety and their sleep had improved. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance, and their serotonin and dopamine levels were higher.

  11. Preyde, M., (2000).  Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low-back pain: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ, 162(13):1815-20.

    BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of massage therapy for low-back pain has not been documented. This randomized controlled trial compared comprehensive massage therapy (soft-tissue manipulation, remedial exercise and posture education), 2 components of massage therapy and placebo in the treatment of subacute (between 1 week and 8 months) low-back pain.

    METHODS: Subjects with subacute low-back pain were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: comprehensive massage therapy (n = 25), soft-tissue manipulation only (n = 25), remedial exercise with posture education only (n = 22) or a placebo of sham laser therapy (n = 26). Each subject received 6 treatments within approximately 1 month. Outcome measures obtained at baseline, after treatment and at 1-month follow-up consisted of the Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (PPI and PRI), the State Anxiety Index and the Modified Schober test (lumbar range of motion).

    RESULTS: Of the 107 subjects who passed screening, 98 (92%) completed post-treatment tests and 91 (85%) completed follow-up tests. Statistically significant differences were noted after treatment and at follow-up. The comprehensive massage therapy group had improved function (mean RDQ score 1.54 v. 2.86-6.5, p < 0.001), less intense pain (mean PPI score 0.42 v. 1.18-1.75, p < 0.001) and a decrease in the quality of pain (mean PRI score 2.29 v. 4.55-7.71, p = 0.006) compared with the other 3 groups. Clinical significance was evident for the comprehensive massage therapy group and the soft-tissue manipulation group on the measure of function. At 1-month follow-up 63% of subjects in the comprehensive massage therapy group reported no pain as compared with 27% of the soft-tissue manipulation group, 14% of the remedial exercise group and 0% of the sham laser therapy group.

     INTERPRETATION: Patients with subacute low-back pain were shown to benefit from massage therapy, as regulated by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and delivered by experienced massage therapists.

  12. Field, T., Hernandes-Reif, M., Diego, M., Fraser, M., (2007). Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy. JBMT, 11(2) 141-145.

    Summary: A randomized between-groups design was used to evaluate massage therapy versus relaxation therapy effects on chronic low back pain. Treatment effects were evaluated for reducing pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances, for improving trunk range of motion (ROM) and for reducing job absenteeism and increasing job productivity. Thirty adults (M age=41 years) with low back pain with a duration of at least 6 months participated in the study. The groups did not differ on age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity or gender. Sessions were 30 min long twice a week for 5 weeks. On the first and last day of the 5-week study participants completed questionnaires and were assessed for ROM. By the end of the study, the massage therapy group, as compared to the relaxation group, reported experiencing less pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. They also showed improved trunk and pain flexion performance.

SEND US YOUR COMMENTS

VIEW MEMBER COMMENTS