Therapeutic evaluation of lumbar tender point deep massage for chronic non-specific low back pain.

J Tradit Chin Med. 2012 Dec;32(4):534-7.

Zheng Z¹, Wang J, Gao Q, Hou J, Ma L, Jiang C, Chen G.

RESULTS:

Patients in the treatment group received tender point deep tissue massage plus lumbar traction and patients in the control group received lumbar traction, alone. We used a tissue hardness meter/algometry and visual analog scale (VAS) to assess the pressure pain threshold, muscle hardness and pain intensity.

CONCLUSION:

Lumbar tender point deep tissue massage combined with lumbar traction produced better improvement in pressure pain threshold, muscle hardness and pain intensity in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain than with lumbar traction alone.

Dr. Kennedy comment: I (and many others) have adopted a lot of ’hands-on’ techniques with decompression since the advent of the “Open” and now Versa-Belt. Ostensibly directed-vertebral contact with an acute HNP or nerve encroachment condition may be counterproductive…however since 90% of presentations are typically less severe hands-on methods during traction can add both clinical benefit and an excellent “selling proposition”. I typically “strip” or deep-pressure the muscles during the rest-phase and let the patient feed-back be my primary guide. Manual oscillations can also be effective.