Traditional Chinese Medicine in Distance Physiotherapy of non-specific Back Pain during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This paper deals with the use of meridian exercises of Traditional Chinese medicine in physiotherapy. On a selected sample of 30 probands aged between 19 to 55 years who met the set criteria, the effect of exercises for non-specific pain in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine was examined. The pilot prospective study compares the intensity of pain in 3 areas of the back before the start of a 4-week cycle exercise at least 3 times a week and after the end of the exercise cycle. After a series of meridian exercises there was a statistically significant pain reduction in the cervical spine (p < 0.05), in the thoracic spine (p < 0.05) and on the level (p < 0.05) in the lumbar spine. The pain frequency during the week decreased by an average (p< 0.05) of a day. The pilot study unequivocally confirmed the positive effect of meridian exercises on reducing the intensity of pain in 3 back areas as well as on reducing the frequency of perceived pain. The addressed issue has a perspective both on the level of physiotherapeutic procedures and their diagnostic use and from the point of view of Traditional Chinese Medicine with the impact of meridian exercises on individual elements, such as organ systems.