Effectiveness of Medical Massage in Reducing Neck Pain Among Multiple Occupational Groups: A Longitudinal Study.

Abstract

Neck pain is a common complaint affecting people across various professions, especially those involving prolonged sedentary activities. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of medical massage in reducing neck pain among diverse occupational groups in North Macedonia over a 3-year period (2019-2022). A total of 127 participants from various professions such as information technology professionals, bank accountants, textile workers, business sector employees, and secretaries were subjected to one or two massages per month. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale at the start and throughout the study. The statistical methods in this research study included descriptive statistics for summarizing demographic data, comparative analyses to assess the effectiveness of massage therapy on pain reduction, and inferential statistics to determine significance levels and correlations within the data. At the beginning of the study, participants reported an average pain intensity level of 7 on a numerical rating scale from 1 to 10. Over the study period, consistent massage therapy led to a significant reduction in neck pain, with participants reporting an average pain level of 2 in the final months. Crucially, the research revealed that discontinuation of massage sessions, as observed in a subset of respondents who abstained for approximately 4 months, resulted in an escalation of pain intensity. This finding draws attention to the importance of regular massage therapy in sustaining pain relief benefits. The study's outcomes focus on the effectiveness of medical massage in managing neck pain across various occupational backgrounds. This research provides valuable perception in the potential long-term benefits of massage therapy, accenting the need for continued treatment to maintain pain relief among people exposed to neck and back pain. These findings offer essential guidance to healthcare professionals and individuals seeking non-pharmacological interventions for chronic neck pain management.