Massage for Low-back Pain: A Systematic Review within the Framework of the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group
SpinePublished 1 September 2002
Andrea D Furlan, Lucie Brosseau, Marta Imamura, Emma Irvin
Citations278
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.22
SNIP1.48
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Abstract
Massage might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific LBP, especially when combined with exercises and education. The evidence suggests that acupuncture massage is more effective than classic massage, but this needs confirmation. More studies are needed to confirm these conclusions, to assess the effect of massage on return-to-work, and to measure longer term effects to determine cost-effectiveness of massage as an intervention for LBP.
Keywords
Medicine
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