What about "alternative" treatments for back pain relief (especially lower), such as, Massage, Chiropractic, Feldenkrais* and Acupuncture?

When it comes to treating back pain, consumers are clearly voting with their wallet. They are not comfortable with what their medical doctors are offering them and they are looking elsewhere. But,

Do alternative methods actually heal back pain?

The answer to this question is easy to answer: Yes, research evidence demonstrates that many alternative health treatments help back pain. Lets talk first about massage therapy and acupuncture.

Massage and Acupuncture for Back Pain

Several review studies (published by the medical journal "Spine" and others) have shown strong evidence in support of massage therapy and acupuncture for lower back pain. This is especially true with "chronic nonspecific low back pain." a term that means long-lasting back pain, without a specific, diagnosable cause. The evidence is clear: back pain can be helped by both acupuncture and massage.

Massage and Acupuncture are even more effective when combined with regular exercise and education. Learning the best ways to move and how to take care of yourself can help maintain a pain free back. There does seem to be evidence that acupuncture is more effective than massage but more evidence needs to be collected. Here is what a recent research concluded:

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.

From: Spine. 2002 Sep 1;27(17):1896-910.
Massage for low-back pain: a systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group.
Furlan AD, Brosseau L, Imamura M, Irvin E

What about Chiropractic for Back Pain?

Chiropractic care has been around for over 100 years and there are tens of thousands of practitioners. Despite virulent attacks from the medical community, chiropractic care has thrived in recent decades. Unfortunately, multiple scientific studies have pointed out that chiropractics' effect on back pain is not much different that traditional medical treatment.

Scientists believe that chiropractic care (often referred to as "spinal manipulation") is not better than physical therapy, medication and educational approaches. The studies have not in any way shown that chiropractic is a harmful treatment. And there are many individuals who have reported back pain cures via chiropractic.

For those of you who want more specific information, I will give you a quote from a recent low back review study conduct on various types of "spinal manipulations techniques:

Spinal manipulative therapy had no statistically or clinically significant advantage over general practitioner care, analgesics, physical therapy, exercises, or back school. Results for patients with chronic low back pain were similar. Radiation of pain, study quality, profession of manipulator, and use of manipulation alone or in combination with other therapies did not affect these results. Conclusion: There is no evidence that spinal manipulative therapy is superior to other standard treatments for patients with acute or chronic low back pain.

From: Ann Intern Med. 2003 Jun 3;138(11):871-81. Spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain. A meta-analysis of effectiveness relative to other therapies.
Assendelft WJ, Morton SC, Yu EI, Suttorp MJ, Shekelle PG

Can The Feldenkrais Method help cure back pain?

The Feldenkrais Method is one of the newest alternative modalities for back pain. Originated by movement scientist Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais in the 1940's, there are several thousand practitioners practicing the method worldwide. Unfortunatelyt, little research has been conducted on the Feldenkrais Method for Back Pain.

The one study that I was able to find specifically about Feldenkrais and Back Pain noted that over 70% of the participants reported significant improvement. The gains were still in evidence one year after the treatment.

There are a few other studies in which Feldenkrais was used to treat painful conditions such as fibromyalgia, and chronic neck and shoulder pain. The studies have shown similar results to the back pain study. Participants reported significant decreases in pain, discomfort, and movement restriction. Interestingly, many participants also reported less depression and anxiety, and had an increased ability to relax.

What should you do about your lower back pain?

If you have lower back pain it is important stay active and maintain some type of light-exercise schedule. Staying in bed can make your pain worse. If you are going to take medication consider taking an over-the-counter pain medicine such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Make sure to see your doctor or other health-care provider if symptoms persist.

The best treatment option for your lower back pain is the one that is the least invasive. Surgery is rarely needed for low back pain. If your doctor recommends surgery, make sure that you get a second opinion and ask him or her to recommend at least one non-surgical and non-drug treatment. There is simply too much evidence that other treatments work. They should be considered.

Once you have gotten rid of, or reduced, your low back pain, keep taking care of yourself. Keep your back and stomach muscles strong and flexible. Exercise, Feldenkrais and Massage can all help with this. Learning to keep a flexible and balanced posture, learning the easiest way to lift heavy objects, and learning to manage the stress of everyday life can help to keep symptoms at bay.

Free Audio Downloads for Back Back Pain Relief

The Back Pain Foundation has severeal mp3 downloads for back pain relief, courtesy of xbackpain.com. For more information and instant online access: Back Pain "Exercises"
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*Note: Feldenkrais is often misspelled as Feldenchrist or Feldenkrias. FELDENKRAIS®, and FELDENKRAIS METHOD® are registered service marks of the FELDENKRAIS GUILD® of North America.