Assessment of the effectiveness of massage for spinal pain as part of primary healthcare: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: Pain in the spine is one of the most common issues in the musculoskeletal system. 70–80% of the population experiences an acute spine pain incident at least once in their life, and 50% struggle with a chronic form of this health problem. Factors contributing this situation include static work, a sedentary lifestyle, a minimal amount of physical activity, stress, and poor nutrition. Massage is among the many therapeutic methods used for the treatment of back pain. This is a non-invasive method that involves manipulation of the soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system, where symptoms directly related to the disease appear. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of tensegrity massage therapy for lumbar spine pain. The study presents the possibility of cooperation between the physiotherapist and primary care physician as part of primary health care. Material and Methods: The study involved 25 participants (15 women and 10 men) diagnosed with pain in the lumbar spine. The participants were aged 23–70 years with a mean age of 50 years (SD ± 14.77). Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and during a functional test, and functional disability was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Measurements were taken before and immediately after therapy. A palpation assessment was performed before each massage session. The therapy consisted of six 45-minute tensegrity massage sessions performed twice a week for three weeks. Results: Pain during the functional test and the subjective feeling of pain measured by the VAS decreased following treatment. The ODI results revealed a significant improvement from moderate to low disability. The results obtained were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Tensegrity massage contributed to a reduction in back pain and improved the functioning of the patient. This therapy can be a complementary method to conservative treatments for spinal diseases.